Ferguson rues "inexplicable" errors

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said his side had to stop making the "inexplicable" defensive errors that contributed to their 3-1 premier league defeat by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

"We lost two terrible goals and that has been endemic right though our season. Individual errors have cost us a lot," a dejected Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"Until we eradicate those silly mistakes then we are going to get the kind of result we got today.

"We do a lot of work on the training pitch regarding our defensive performance but these errors we keep committing are inexplicable."

He said he thought that when David Beckham pulled a goal back shortly after halftime his side had a chance of getting something from the game.

"But we only give ourselves a respite for one minute and that was crazy," Ferguson added.

"I think there is evidence that this is going to be the most challenging season for the championship for some time. Until we get back to the way we worked three or four years ago then we are going to make it very difficult for ourselves."

Liverpool's acting manager Phil Thompson was full of praise for his players, even going so far as to describe the win as "comfortable".

"It's very, very satisfying to beat United. I think our players were absolutely outstanding. They worked extremely hard and you have to do that against United, otherwise they trample all over you."

At halftime Thompson said he reminded his team about Manchester United's game at Tottenham this season, when they managed to recover from 3-0 down at halftime.

"I told them their concentration must be immense - and then we went a gave a goal away. But we responded immediately."

He revealed that he had spoken to convalescing manager Gerard Houllier after the final whistle.

"He is absolutely thrilled. He said how proud he was of the players and told them to keep going," Thompson said.

Liverpool striker Michael Owen was delighted with his two goals, though he admitted that when United scored after the break he was worried. "As soon as they pulled one back, we knew we were in for a battle," he said.

"That's what Manchester United are all about, even if you are three or four goals up then you're never sitting pretty, so I was delighted to get our third straight after."