“He had only done two light training sessions because we knew that we could not push him too hard.
“The main thing was that he was working with the physios and the fitness coach, trying to make sure that he was fit and that he would not be a risk. We knew that he was not 100% fit but it wasn't a risk so in the end he was able to play.”
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United had been beaten by the “better team” after a disappointing performance.
But the Old Trafford manager couldn’t resist slamming referee Andre Marriner and believes United had no luck with decisions of the officials.
Ferguson was unhappy Jamie Carragher wasn’t censured for a first-half tackle on Michael Carrick inside the area, and was even more dismayed the Liverpool centre-back escaped a red card after tangling with substitute Michael Owen late on.
“It was a disappointing afternoon,” said Ferguson. “Liverpool were the better team and I am not taking anything away from them at all. They deserved to win the game.
“We are disappointed with some of the decisions but we know fine well and we have to hold our hands up - we were not good enough. But we didn't have any luck in terms of decisions today.
“Michael Carrick gets a clear penalty kick as far as I was concerned. Jamie Carragher has gone right over the top of the ball.
“If it is outside of the box it is a free kick and maybe a yellow card. But it was inside the box and the referee was only six yards from it. It was a bad decision I think.
“The most controversial decision was Carragher bringing down Michael Owen. He was clean through.
“The laws of the game were altered to prevent professional fouls of that nature and if Jamie Carragher goes off, he is their best defender and their captain. It would have been a different game. They would have been under pressure.
“The referee was only four or five yards from it, and he can't use a covering defender as an excuse. Michael was clean through. With Michael's pace he is going to get away from him.”
Ferguson added: “It is a very difficult atmosphere here. There was a wounded animal aspect to the game and it was something we didn't overcome.”
