Rafael Benitez has finally seen his Liverpool side emerge with a win over Manchester United as Ryan Babel scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over the league champions at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds' boss had never beaten United in nine previous league games, with the Red Devils having won the past five meetings between the two giants.
But United wilted under some relentless second-half pressure from the hosts and had key defender Nemanja Vidic sent-off before substitute Babel secure victory.
Carlos Tevez put United ahead early on but after surviving a torrid opening period, Liverpool levelled through a Wes Brown own goal before dominating the second half and grabbing a priceless win with 13 minutes left.
Liverpool gave new signing Albert Riera his debut but Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were not risked any closer to the initial action than the bench.
For the champions, Michael Carrick returned after an ankle problem, but all eyes were on 30 million pound striker Dimitar Berbatov in his first appearance for his new club.
Liverpool fans staged a march to the ground from a local pub to protest at the club's American owners.
But that did not stop co-owner George Gillett taking his place in the directors' box, although not in the front row close to the fans.
There was also a row of smartly-suited Americans, all singing along to "You'll never walk alone" - the anthem moved to seconds before kick-off rather than when the teams march out, presumably to unsettle United.
It did not work, though as United went ahead after just three minutes.
Berbatov was allowed to get to the line by some sloppy marking and covering, and Liverpool's defence was nowhere to be seen when his pulled back cross was lashed home by Tevez.
United was quicker and more mobile all over the pitch while Liverpool continually conceded possession.
But the Merseysiders should have scored after 13 minutes when Edwin van der Sar fumbled a corner and Dirk Kuyt's blast from three yards hit Paul Scholes on the line.
Liverpool at last started to get into the match as Tevez was booked for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa and a succession of free-kicks pinned United back.
And the Reds went level after 26 minutes when Xabi Alonso's curling, low shot into the area deflected off Patrice Evra and van der Sar hurled himself forward.
But the veteran stopper only managed to push the ball on to Brown, who could do nothing as it cannoned off him and over the line. Riera followed the ball in, but it was the United man's last touch.
United sent on Ryan Giggs for Carrick at the break, the midfielder having taken a heavy blow on his ankle in the first half.
Liverpool started the second period in much sharper form as Benayoun almost saw a flicked effort evade van der Sar and Alonso fired over from 20 yards.
Keane narrowly missed breaking his scoring duck when he failed by inches to connect with a Javier Mascherano cross-shot. United's reply came from Paul Scholes who drove wide.
United sent on Owen Hargreaves for Scholes after 66 minutes, having been forced back for much of the second spell.
Two minutes later Liverpool introduced Gerrard in place of Benayoun as United started to come back into the game.
As if to underline the point, Jose Reina was forced into a fine save from a dipping