Ferguson expects United to bounce back

Sir Alex Ferguson warned Manchester United's Premier League rivals that his side's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool will only strengthen their determination to retain the title.

United cut a strangely subdued look as second half goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog at Anfield on Sunday condemned the champions to their first defeat in 12 matches.

Ferguson was forced to admit United had been out-played and out-fought. But the United manager believes the frustration of a result which allowed Chelsea to move two points ahead of them at the top of the table is certain to prove the catalyst for a powerful winning run.

While any defeat against the team United hate the most will always stick in Ferguson's throat, the Scot knows his side were beaten twice by Rafa Benitez's men last season and still ended the campaign as champions.

They bounced back from a 4-1 defeat to the Reds at Old Trafford in March by surging to the finish line in the title race and Ferguson expects more of the same this time.

"We will always react. That is the important thing about our club," Ferguson said.

"They have always had to do that. It is not something unusual for us. At some points of your season you are going to have disappointments.

"Last year we lost 4-1 at home to Liverpool, got hold of the bit again and went on to win the league and that is our challenge."

After four successive defeats, Liverpool knew another loss would end their title hopes, so it was no surprise that Javier Mascherano, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas snapped into tackles with abandon.

But United midfielders Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes were overwhelmed and Ferguson conceded they offered little in the way of a response to the physical challenge.

Torres opened the scoring in the 65th minute when he got clear of Rio Ferdinand and lashed home a sublime finish.

A bad day for United got even worse when Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic, already on a booking, was dismissed for a clear professional foul on Dirk Kuyt - his third successive red card against Liverpool.

David Ngog added Liverpool's second goal in stoppage time and Gary Neville, an unused substitute, appeared to exchange words with home fans near the dug-out as United's frustration boiled over.