Liverpool 1 Manchester United 2: Van Persie spot on as visitors take advantage of Shelvey's red card

Robin van Persie's late penalty secured Manchester United's first Anfield win since December 2007 against 10-man Liverpool on an emotional afternoon on Merseyside.
The hosts played 51 minutes with 10 men after Jonjo Shelvey's sending-off but still managed to take the lead through Steven Gerrard's volley seconds after the interval.

Spot on: Van Persie converts a late penalty to give United the victory over their fierce rivals

Dutch of class: The £24million summer signing wheels away in celebration after his late spot-kick

Match facts

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger (Carragher 80), Johnson, Gerrard, Allen, Shelvey, Borini (Fernandez Saez.46), Suarez, Sterling (Henderson 66).
Subs not used: Jones, Jose Enrique, Sahin, Assaidi

Goal: Gerrard 46

Booked: Reina
Sent off: Shelvey
Man Utd: Lindegaard, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Kagawa (Hernandez 81), Nani (Scholes 46), van Persie.
Subs not used: De Gea, Anderson, Welbeck, Cleverley, Buttner.

Goals: Rafael 51, Van Persie 81 (pen)

Booked: Scholes, Van Persie

Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)

However, Rafael equalised soon after and Van Persie, one of three United players to miss from the spot this term, scored his fourth goal in as many games against the Reds - although three of those had come for former side Arsenal - nine minutes from time.

In the end it was something of a relief the talking points were all generated on the pitch as Liverpool marked their first home match since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report which exonerated fans in relation to the 1989 disaster.

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra shook hands in a show of unity before the game - the Liverpool forward had refused to shake the United defender's hand in the league meeting between the sides at Old Trafford in February, having previously been found guilty of racially abusing Evra in the corresponding fixture at Anfield last season.
Thankfully there were none of the distasteful chants which have marred this fixture for years, although that did not mean there was not an edge to the game.

Evra was overlooked for the captaincy - some say diplomatically - in the absence of Nemanja Vidic so it was Ryan Giggs who released 96 red balloons with Gerrard prior to kick-off.

Seeing red: Liverpool's Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for his foul on Jonny Evans

Red mist: Jonny Evans is flattened as Shelvey protests his innocence to ref Mark Halsey

The result left Liverpool rooted in the bottom three as their worst start to a campaign for a century continues whereas United maintained their usual progress moving up to second.
It was harsh on Brendan Rodgers' side, who continued to take the game to their rivals despite being short on numbers as they desperately looked for their first league victory of the campaign.

Squaring up: Shelvey gives Rio Ferdinand his thoughts as the players surround Halsey

You said what? Sir Alex Ferguson exchanges words with Jonjo Shelvey

United may have left Anfield wondering how they managed to win having hardly threatened in attack and failed to dominate midfield until the final quarter but those concerns will have been of little consequence.
For the first minute of the match three sides of Anfield held up The Truth, Justice and 96 mosaics as representatives of the Hillsborough victims' families watched on from the directors' box.

Opener: Steven Gerrard fired home after being left unmarked in the box

Also present, for the first time since being sacked in May, was former manager Kenny Dalglish - intrinsically linked with the tragedy having played a major role in the aftermath during his first spell in charge.

What he saw in the first half would have been very familiar as for most of last season his sides dominated at home without scoring. Once Giggs had flashed an early shot wide the momentum was all with the hosts as a Suarez cross-shot was stopped by Anders Lindegaard and headed away by Jonny Evans under pressure from Fabio Borini.

Kop that: Gerrard kissed the badge as he wheeled away to celebrate his goal

That's for you: Gerrard pointed to the heavens on the day they remembered the Hillsborough victims

Gerrard drove a low effort from Shelvey's corner into the side-netting and Suarez looped a right-footed shot wide before a match which, possibly because of the all the pre-match commemorations, had lacked the usual hallmarks of a north-west derby ignited. Shelvey robbed Giggs in midfield but as the ball broke free he launched himself at Evans and the inevitable outcome was a red card.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who scored twice in Thursday's Europa League victory at Young Boys, departed down the tunnel having exchanged heated words with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Jumping for joy: Liverpool fans savour Gerrard's goal after the first-half interval

Even with a numerical disadvantage Liverpool continued to pressurise United and Suarez drew Lindegaard into a low saw from his free-kick.

The visitors would have been pleased to reach the interval with their goal intact but it took just 50 seconds after the restart for that to change.

Stunning: Manchester United's Rafael guides the ball past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina

Leveller: Rafael celebrates his goal with team-mate Robin van Persie

Good lad: Rafael shows his pleasure at equalising for the visitors

Second-half substitute Suso, making his Premier League debut three days after his first-team bow in Switzerland, saw his cross half-cleared to Glen Johnson.

A tackle from Paul Scholes, on for Nani at half-time, succeeded only in diverting the ball towards Gerrard who volleyed home left-footed in front of the Kop. The Reds captain, whose 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley was the youngest victim of the Hillsborough disaster, whirled away pointing both arms to the sky in celebration and remembrance.

Flying away: Van Persie celebrates as Gerrard looks dejected at the final whistle

It was short-lived, however, as within five minutes United were level when Shinji Kagawa laid the ball off for Rafael to brilliantly curl left-footed over Jose Reina and in off the far post. Rodgers' determination not to just shut up shop and settle for a draw was reflected in the approach of his team who made light of the fact they were a man down with Suso having a shot tipped over by Lindegaard and Suarez continuing to trouble the visitors' defence.

But as the match entered the final 20 minutes United began to take more control, although their winner came from their opponents giving away possession on the halfway line.

Daniel Agger and Johnson collided to allow Antonio Valencia to race 50 yards into the area and although Johnson got back he could only bring down the Ecuador international. Van Persie drilled home - although Reina went the right way and almost made the stop

Manchester City 1 Arsenal 1: Koscielny grabs late equaliser after Lescott header

Laurent Koscielny earned Arsenal a deserved point at the Etihad Stadium with a late equaliser as Manchester City's stuttering start to the season continued.
The Gunners had much the better of the first half but could not make their dominance count and Joleon Lescott headed the hosts in front from a 40th-minute corner.

All smiles: Koscielny is mobbed after scoring a late equaliser at the Etihad Stadium

Match facts

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany,Lescott, Clichy, Javi Garcia, Toure , Silva, Sinclair (Rodwell 46), Aguero (Balotelli 85), Dzeko (Tevez 68).
Subs Not Used: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Barry, Nastasic.
Booked: Javi Garcia.
Goals: Lescott 40.
Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Ramsey, Diaby (Giroud 71), Arteta, Cazorla, Gervinho (Coquelin 90), Podolski (Walcott 72).
Subs Not Used: Martinez, Andre Santos, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Djourou.
Goals: Koscielny 82.
Att: 47,318
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).

That looked like being the way it would stay as Arsenal struggled to find a way to goal, but Koscielny proved the unlikely hero with an unstoppable shot eight minutes from time.

Both sides wore black armbands to remember Greater Manchester Police officers Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, who were killed on Tuesday, and all sides of the ground stood for a period of applause before kick-off.

City's defence of their Premier League title had consisted of two scrappy wins and two draws, while they suffered a last-gasp defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
They were at least boosted by the return of Sergio Aguero for the first time since the opening weekend of the season after a knee injury, and he had the first real chance of the game in the 14th minute with a curling shot that was pushed away by Vito Mannone.

It was Arsenal who were looking the more dangerous, though, cutting swathes through City's midfield, and had it not been for a truly awful touch from Gervinho as he ran on to Aaron Ramsey's through ball, they may well have been ahead.

Come in No 6: Koscielny wheels away in celebration after netting for the Gunners

The Gunners were taking on their opponents with real pace and in the 24th minute Carl Jenkinson did well down the right and pulled the ball back to Lukas Podolski, who skied his shot well over the bar. Gervinho then fired just wide with a shot that rippled the side-netting and drew cheers from the section of Arsenal fans down the other end who thought it had sneaked in.

Still they had not really tested Joe Hart, though, and they were made to pay in the 40th minute when Lescott, who had been surprisingly left out against Madrid, headed in David Silva's corner.

Head boy: Lescott scores for Manchester City with 39 minutes gone

Net gains: Arteta propped up the post but failed to stop Lescott's header from finding the net

Mannone, playing in place of the injured Wojciech Szczesny, certainly did not cover himself in glory, attempting to plough through a ruck of defenders and getting nowhere near the ball.

City could even have been two ahead at the break but Mannone partially redeemed himself with a fingertip save from Edin Dzeko's curling shot.

Blue is the colour: Lescott celebrates after scoring with six minutes remaining before the interval

City boss Roberto Mancini addressed his midfield issues by bringing on Jack Rodwell for the disappointing Scott Sinclair at the start of the second half, and immediately there was more dynamism about the home side.

Aguero fired over at the back post and was then screaming for a penalty when he thought he had been tripped by Koscielny. The Argentinian stayed on his feet and managed to get his shot away, which was blocked by Kieran Gibbs, and that probably counted against him as referee Mike Dean waved away the claims.

Silva service: The Manchester City winger takes on Abou Diaby and Aaron Ramsey

Arsenal were still passing the ball around neatly without really looking like scoring, and Gervinho's radar was off target again as he blasted high and wide in the 66th minute.

Dzeko was then replaced by Carlos Tevez while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made a double change, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud coming on for Lukas Podolski and Abou Diaby. Arsenal were pressing hard but City almost killed the game off on the break in the 80th minute, Yaya Toure playing in Aguero for a shot that was smartly stopped by Mannone.

One minute's applause: The Etihad Stadium pay their respects to murdered PC's Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes

Talking tactics: Mancini delivers instructions to his troops during the Premier League clash

That proved to be a crucial moment as Arsenal went up the other end and Santi Cazorla drew the first real save out of Hart with a fine shot from the edge of the box.

The Spaniard took the resulting corner and Lescott could only divert the ball to the feet of Koscielny, who smashed the ball into the top corner. It was no more than Arsenal deserved but they had Mannone to thank for keeping them level moments later as he saved Vincent Kompany's acrobatic overhead kick before Aguero shot inches wide.

The Gunners had the final chance but again Gervinho's finish did not match his approach play, the Ivorian firing well over from 15 yards out.

Tottenham 2 QPR 1: Home comforts at last for AVB as Defoe completes comeback

Jermain Defoe scored his sixth goal of the season as Tottenham came from behind to beat QPR and register their first home win under Andre Villas-Boas.
A dreadful first-half performance meant Villas-Boas left the pitch at half-time to a chorus of loud boos, but his team turned things around after the break, with Defoe's strike and an own-goal from Alejandro Faurlin handing the Portuguese his first win at White Hart Lane at the fourth attempt.
Bobby Zamora, who scored one goal in 18 appearances at Spurs, put QPR ahead in the first half after Faurlin's brilliant slide-rule pass, and had it not been for a couple of brilliant reaction saves from Brad Friedel, Tottenham could have gone in 3-0 down at half-time.

Main man: Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring the winner for Spurs against QPR

Match facts

Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Bale, Lennon (Townsend 90), Sandro, Dembele, Sigurdsson (Caulker 46),
Dempsey (Huddlestone 88), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Lloris,Dawson,Falque,Mason.
Goals: Faurlin 60 og,Defoe 61.
QPR: Julio Cesar,Onuoha,Nelsen,Hill,Bosingwa (Dyer 3), Wright-Phillips (Mackie 77), Faurlin, Granero, Park, Hoilett, Zamora (Cisse 73).
Subs Not Used: Green,Diakite,Derry,Ehmer.
Booked: Granero,Dyer.
Goals: Zamora 33.
Att: 36,052
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

The home team regrouped after the break and put in a much better performance with Gareth Bale, who had started at full-back, pushed up to his natural position on the left wing.
Faurlin somehow chested the ball into his own net at the back post from a Steven Caulker header and, less than two minutes later, Defoe scored the winner after coolly finishing from 10 yards.
Spurs had conceded in the latter stages of all their previous games, but they held firm this evening to leave Villas-Boas punching the air with glee at the final whistle.
The slippery surface made it hard for Spurs to pass the ball around in the early stages, but they fashioned a chance in the third minute when Aaron Lennon found Defoe at the near post but his shot was blocked.
Gylfi Sigurdsson then went down under a pile of QPR players and appealed for a penalty but referee Phil Dowd waved play on.
QPR quickly settled into their rhythm and started pushing for an opener from the off.
Friedel, recalled to the starting XI ahead of Hugo Lloris, pulled off a brilliant save to deny Clint Hill after four minutes.

In front: Bobby Zamora (right) put QPR in front against Tottenham at White Hart Lane

Nine minutes later the American again produced a world-class save from Junior Hoilett from 10 yards after some poor defending from Kyle Walker.
QPR's fourth corner of the game allowed Ryan Nelsen to sneak in front of his marker, but he headed wide.
Spurs failed to test Julio Cesar once during the first half and they started resorting to long shots that failed miserably.
The one time they had the ball in the net, Clint Dempsey's effort was ruled out after Defoe was given offside in the build-up.

Party time: QPR celebrate taking the lead against Tottenham thanks to Zamora

It only seemed a matter of time before QPR broke the deadlock and the opening goal came just after the half hour when Faurlin carved open the Spurs defence to find Zamora, who slotted the ball past the advancing Friedel.
Friedel was at full stretch moments later to deny Hoilett as Rangers pushed for a second.
Mark Hughes thought his team should have had a penalty after 38 minutes when Zamora went down under a challenge from William Gallas but Dowd waved play on.
After being booed off at half-time Villas-Boas brought on Caulker for Sigurdsson, which allowed Bale to move up to his natural position.

Leveller: The ball deflects off Alejandro Faurlin and into the net as Tottenham equalised

After being booed off at half-time Villas-Boas brought on Caulker for Sigurdsson, which allowed Bale to move up to his natural position.
Hoilett somehow bustled Caulker's giant frame off the ball and fired at goal but Gallas put in a crucial block.
The 20-year-old proved his worth at the other end by putting in a powerful header from a Bale corner that was cleared off the line.

In front: Gareth Bale's effort was saved by Julio Cesar but Defoe was on hand to turn in the rebound

The game then changed completely with two Spurs goals in 95 seconds.
First Caulker's header from the back post flew in off the chest of QPR midfielder Faurlin and Defoe then made it 2-0 with a cool finish.
Vertonghen charged at the Rangers defence and laid the ball off to Bale, whose shot ricocheted into the path of the England striker, who calmly slotted the ball home through a sea of QPR defenders.
Tottenham's confidence grew by the minute. Dempsey fired a 20-yard shot just wide of Julio Cesar's goal and Bale's powerful cross somehow missed a tap-in.

Pure delight: Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas celebrates his first home win

Hoilett then wriggled free from his marker on a rare QPR attack but Vertonghen came to the rescue with a heroic sliding tackle to dispossess the former Blackburn man.
The match was turning into a thrilling end to end encounter. QPR, mindful that Spurs had conceded in the last 10 minutes of all their league games, threatened through Hoilett and substitute Djibril Cisse.
Spurs still poured forward looking for a third, however, and they almost got it when Dempsey and Defoe had close-range headers blocked.

Crunch: Gylfi Siggurdsson of Spurs is brought down by Clint Hill after trying to fire in a shot

Defoe raced through with five minutes left but he was forced wide by Park Ji-Sung.
QPR poured forward in injury time looking for an unlikely equaliser but the nearest they came was a curled shot from Faurlin that went a yard wide.
Defoe almost added his second when he raced through in the last minute of added time but Julio Cesar saved well to his right.

Newcastle 1 Norwich 0: Ba's chirping again as unsettled star delivers against Canaries

Demba Ba allowed his feet to do the talking as his fourth goal of the season fired Newcastle to a narrow victory over Norwich.
On a day when strike-partner Papiss Cisse's fortune took a turn for the worse when he squandered a penalty chance, Ba produced a finish worthy of Hatem Ben Arfa's slide-rule pass to claim just a second Barclays Premier League victory of the season.
Ben Arfa found himself on the wrong end of assistant manager John Carver's tongue after allowing Cisse to take the spot-kick in first-half injury-time, and it took a fine 47th-minute save by Steve Harper to deny Andrew Surman an equaliser and former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton a point on his return to Tyneside.

On target: Demba Ba scores for Newcastle with 19 minutes gone

Match facts

Newcastle: Harper, Perch, Williamson, Steven Taylor, Santon, Ben Arfa (Shola Ameobi 85), Anita (Tiote 76), Cabaye, Gutierrez, Cisse (Obertan 70), Ba.
Subs Not Used: Elliot, Bigirimana, Sammy Ameobi,Tavernier.
Booked: Tiote.
Goals: Ba 19.
Norwich: Ruddy, Russell  Martin, Barnett, Bassong (Turner 8), Garrido, Snodgrass, Howson, Johnson, Surman (Jackson 82), Hoolahan, Morison (Holt 70).
Subs Not Used: Bunn, Pilkington, Ryan Bennett Tettey.
Booked: Howson.
Att: 49,402
Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

The home side were once again not at their fluent best in front of a frustrated crowd of 49,402 despite making seven changes to the side which played in the Europa League in midweek, and Cheick Tiote's return as a late substitute represented a welcome boost.

Alan Pardew's side were guilty of once again starting slowly as Norwich arrived determined not to allow them to have it all their own way. 
Hughton was, as expected, given a warm reception by fans who saw him drag their club back into the Premier League in the wake of relegation, and there was a similarly friendly, if less intentional, welcome on the pitch.

City might have been ahead within five minutes had Wes Hoolahan not headed straight at defender Steven Taylor after full-back Javier Garrido had played a one-two with Surman on the left and crossed.
The outlet provided by Surman and Garrido down that side prompted Pardew for the second time in a week to switch right-back James Perch and midfielder Vurnon Anita, and although that stemmed the tide to a degree, Robert Snodgrass was also prospering down the right to keep the Magpies' defence on their toes throughout.

Sealed with a kiss: The Newcastle striker celebrates after scoring his third goal in six days

But as the game wore on, the home side found their feet as an attacking force and with Ben Arfa causing all kinds of problems for Garrido and Davide Santon repeatedly stretching Russell Martin, they began to create chances.
They might have taken the lead with 19 minutes gone had Cisse made a meaningful connecting with Yohan Cabaye's free-kick at the near post with Perch seeing his effort from the rebound blocked.

Off target: Cisse missed from the spot shortly before the interval

However, they were in front seconds later after Ben Arfa produced a moment of sheer class. The Frenchman cut inside from the left before sliding the perfect pass into the path of Ba, who calmly slotted past the advancing John Ruddy.
But to their credit, Norwich refused to fold and Mike Williamson had to be in the right place at the right time to clear Snodgrass' header off the line following good work by Hoolahan.

In the stands: Pardew is serving a two-game touchline ban

Everybody loves Chris: Hughton was given a warm reception by the home supporters

Cisse passed up another good opportunity 13 minutes before the break when he missed his kick from Santon's near-post cross, and Cabaye smashed the loose ball just wide, while Ba failed to make the most of more brilliance from Ben Arfa when he miscontrolled his pass in front of goal after the winger had embarrassed Surman. 
But the Magpies should have extended their lead in first-half injury-time when, after striker Steve Morison had barged into Williamson inside the Norwich penalty area, referee Neil Swarbrick pointed to the spot.

Ben Arfa, who struck from 12 yards during the opening day victory over Tottenham, immediately grabbed the ball, but was persuaded to hand it over to Cisse, whose need for a goal was plain for all to see.

Leap of faith: Newcastle were some way short of their fluent best

But the Senegal international skied his effort high over the bar, in the process earning Ben Arfa a tirade from Carver with Pardew sitting high in the stands as he served out his touchline ban.

Carver's wrath might have been incurred once again within two minutes of the restart when Hoolahan turned the ball perfectly into Surman's path to put him through on goal. Harper was quickly off his line and the 37-year-old got down superbly to make a vital block as the midfielder attempted to lift a shot over him with the outside of his left foot.

On the ball: Ba is adamant he should be a permanent fixture in Pardew's starting line-up

Newcastle were struggling to find their rhythm once again, and Jonas Gutierrez had to get a block on a 53rd-minute Snodgrass effort with Santon clearing Morison's header at the far post from the resulting corner.

Ben Arfa prompted a fine diving save by Ruddy three minutes later as the Magpies stepped up a gear with Taylor and Cabaye going close in quick succession.

Williamson headed a Cabaye corner straight at Ruddy five minutes later and the keeper claimed Ba's weak 83rd-minute effort as Newcastle negotiated their way nervously, but safely, to the final whistle, although substitute Gabriel Obertan was left nursing the after-effects of a robust challenge from Michael Turner.

Klitschko conqueror Sanders shot dead during restaurant robbery in South Africa

South African heavyweight Corrie Sanders, who beat Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBO world title in 2003, has died after being shot during a robbery.
Sanders caused a major shock when he inflicted a second-round knockout defeat on Klitschko in Hanover nine years ago.
He gave up the belt later in the year and lost in eight rounds to the Ukrainian's brother Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title in Los Angeles in April 2004.

Tragedy: Corrie Sanders who beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2003 was shot dead in South Africa

North West Police Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said that gunmen entered a restaurant in the town of Brits where 46-year-old Sanders was attending his nephew's birthday celebrations.
Brigadier Ngubane said: 'I can confirm Corrie and his family were celebrating his nephew's birthday, turning 21, and enjoying a meal last night. In the midst of the celebrations, at about 7.45pm in the evening, about three suspects came in.

Big win: Sanders knocked Klitschko down four times before a second round stoppage

'They were planning to commit an armed robbery.
'Then in the armed robbery they shot randomly. Corrie was shot in the hand and also the stomach.
'They fled with a digital camera and also a handbag of one of the people who was in the restaurant.'
Sanders was rushed to Kalafong hospital but died 'in the early hours of the morning', Brigadier Ngubane said.
There have been no arrests in the case, he added, but stated police are 'in hot pursuit'.

Liverpool to end stadium saga with £150m plan to rebuild Anfield into 60,000 home

Liverpool's American owners will end the club's 10-year stadium saga by committing to develop Anfield as a refurbished 60,000-capacity venue, including 7,000 'corporate' seats.

The club publicly maintain that no final decision has yet been made between refurbishment and a new stadium but detailed plans are in place for a phased expansion of the Main Stand and then the Anfield Road stand.

The work is expected to cost about £150 million, a huge saving on the estimated £400m that a new stadium in Stanley Park would cost, although an estimated £50m has been spent by the club on designs and planning for a new stadium.

Staying put: Anfield

Naming rights might have helped to subsidise a new venue but no suitable deal has been found.
Liverpool City Council have been working closely with the club on stadium options for years and for a long time were in favour of a new stadium, to be shared with Everton.
The council now believe that official confirmation on the refurbishment is imminent from John W Henry's Fenway Sports Group.
A council spokesman said: 'It does seem to be the case that the club have decided to stay at Anfield and that Liverpool officials are preparing to confirm the decision'.

Hints: Liverpool owner John W Henry seems to be in favour of the club staying at Anfield

The importance of resolving the stadium situation is highlighted by today's sell-out game against Manchester United at Anfield, which will generate about £1.5m in revenues for Liverpool.
The corresponding match at Old Trafford will generate more than £3m not just because United have more seats but better corporate facilities for which the club can charge more.
Anfield's 45,000-seat capacity and structure limits the extent to which Liverpool can mount a realistic challenge to rivals including United (who have 76,000 seats) and Arsenal (60,000) – on and off the pitch.
Henry himself has long been supportive of the idea that Liverpool's long-time home should remain their home.
He feels the club can develop without moving in the way that his baseball club, the Boston Red Sox, have done at their home, Fenway Park.
Henry dropped another heavy hint in June that a refurbished Anfield was his preference when tweeting a link to a blog by a Liverpool architect, Peter McGurk, that suggested Liverpool should stay put.
McGurk has no connection to the club or redevelopment.

Here to stay: Liverpool fans in the stands at Anfield

Council regeneration plans for the area around Liverpool have provided a solution to the long-running problem of freeing up land for Anfield's expansion.
The council intend to acquire property for demolition and refurbishment - and crucially now have the option of applying for compulsory purchase orders if required.
The council will be hoping to avoid any drastic action by offering residents the full market values of their homes plus compensation and relocation costs.

England in a spin as Colombo capitulation gives India momentum heading into Super Eights

England faltered alarmingly to Harbhajan Singh's off-spin on the way to their lowest Twenty20 international total and heaviest defeat at the Premadasa Stadium Sunday night.
A hard-working performance with the ball helped Stuart Broad's team restrict India's stroke-players and power-hitters to 170 for four after he had chosen to bowl first under lights in this final ICC World Twenty20 Group A match.
But in a contest of little tangible consequence for two teams already through to the Super Eight stage, defending champions England lost two early wickets to left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan and then repeated their worrying history of haplessness against sub-continental spin.

Shocker: Hales (above) and Morgan (below) are both clean bowled

SCORECARD

Harbhajan finished with Twenty20 international career-best figures of four for 12, as he and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla wreaked havoc to set up India's 90-run victory.

Rohit Sharma had top-scored with an unbeaten 55 from 33 balls, including five fours and a last-over six over point off the expensive Jade Dernbach.

But Graeme Swann - the only spinner selected by England - bowled well as India threatened to cut loose with the bat but never quite did.

They promoted Pathan to open in place of the rested Virender Sehwag, but the left-hander was undone by Steven Finn's extra pace when he was bowled in only the third over.

No 3 Virat Kohli played according to his reputation - brilliantly - in a second-wicket stand of 57 with Gautam Gambhir, until Swann capped a fine spell by having him caught at deep midwicket by Jonny Bairstow for a high-class 40 from 31 balls.

Plenty to ponder: Luke Wright trudges back to the pavilion

Gambhir was unable to keep up that momentum in his anchor brief as Swann ruled the middle overs.
But by the time the opener was caught-behind slogging at Finn for 45 from 38 balls, the springboard was nonetheless still in place for India's cleanest hitters to cash in.

Rohit was already established and stuck largely to orthodox cricket shots.
Broad would have run him out for 32 with a direct hit, one of a clutch of minor fielding misdemeanours from England.
But as India attempted to apply the pressure - to significant, but not devastating, effect - Jos Buttler's wonderful piece of skill and quick thinking on the wide long-on boundary kept another six off the total and cut short Mahendra Singh Dhoni's accustomed late surge.
Buttler somehow stayed in the field of play as he caught the ball and ferried it to nearby outrider Alex Hales to complete a memorable dismissal - and surely boost England morale to boot.

Lone ranger: Kieswetter scored nearly half of England's runs

The high did not last long for Hales, though, missing a heave to leg at Pathan to be bowled for a duck.
In-form No 3 Luke Wright got off the mark by hitting Pathan for a six over long-off, only to go lbw to the next ball when he missed an attempted pull.
England still had a powerhouse middle-order on paper, but Harbhajan made short work of Eoin Morgan, out-thinking the left-hander and knocking out middle-stump as he tried to cut one that scuttled on with the arm.
When Bairstow also went in Chawla's first over, smearing to leg and missing a googly, there were some uncomfortable echoes already of England's travails in the sub-continent and Asia for much of last winter.
Opener Craig Kieswetter had clubbed two early sixes off pace but edged a Chawla leg-break to slip, and Tim Bresnan picked out deep square-leg with a sweep at Harbhajan.

Key men: Rohit Sharma (above) scored 55 while Harbhajan Singh (below) took four wickets

England had gone from 39 for two after five overs, before the introduction of spin, to 54 for six after 10.
A recovery was highly unlikely, and did not materialise, before England were all out for 80 in only the 15th over - eight runs short of their previous-worst total in this format.
The outcome had been easily predictable long before then.
The defeat, and even the margin of it, has no direct relevance to England's prospects of retaining the only International Cricket Council global trophy they have ever won.
But when they reconvene for their next assignment in Pallekele on Thursday, against either West Indies or Ireland, they will quickly need to erase some bad recent memories.