“It’s a real indication of how far these players have come that they are sitting in the dressing room disappointed they have drawn with Manchester United. Their attitude, even when United equalised, was admirable as they went for the three points.” KENNY DALGLISH

“It was probably a typical United-Liverpool game. It was very intense and I don’t think the game really got started until Liverpool scored. It was a good game after that. When you’re one nothing down with 15 minutes to go you can’t be confident, but we’ve got the players who can do that.” ALEX FERGUSON

THE anniversary celebrations ultimately fell flat. The icing Kenny Dalglish had eyed to place on Fenway Sports Group’s cake slipped from his grasp.

A feeling of frustration lingered after the final whistle at Anfield on Saturday.

This was a contest the Reds could and should have won.

One slip from a set-piece allowed Manchester United to depart with a point they scarcely deserved. A golden opportunity to close the gap on the champions to three points had been spurned.

The mood served to illustrate just how far Liverpool have come over the past 12 months.

A year ago today they were defeated and embarrassed during a chastening afternoon across Stanley Park. Only goal difference kept the Reds off the bottom of the table.

Now they stand within striking distance of the top four having proved they can compete with the Premier League’s elite.

This is a new Liverpool – a team rebuilt by Dalglish with the backing of the owners – and progress has been impressive.

Of course the Reds are still playing catch-up on United. The damage done to the club by Tom Hicks and George Gillett opened up a huge chasm but Saturday underlined that the gap is closing.

Liverpool’s principal owner John Henry wasn’t at Anfield on Saturday. The American had business to attend to in Boston following the fallout from the Red Sox’s failure to reach the Major League Baseball play-offs.

Their dramatic late-season collapse has led to the departure of their manager and a backlash from angry supporters.

But Henry should be buoyed by the report he receives from chairman Tom Werner when he returns across the Atlantic.

Liverpool are striding forward under Dalglish and now they have their talisman back to lead the charge.

It was almost the fairytale return for Steven Gerrard on his first start for seven months.

When the skipper’s free-kick flew past David de Gea midway through the second half it triggered a huge outpouring of emotion on the pitch and in the stands.

Gerrard has endured some dark days as he battled to overcome a career-threatening groin injury but all that was forgotten as he kissed the badge and slid to his knees in front of an adoring Kop.

It was Gerrard’s first goal since January 5 – when he netted the consolation in a dismal defeat at Blackburn which triggered the departure of Roy Hodgson. How times have changed.

Injury limited him to just six appearances under Dalglish last season and even then he was hamstrung by his groin.

Since March he’s had to sit and watch as the club’s revival was kick-started without him.

All summer the rumour-mongers said he was finished and would never recapture former heights.

But Gerrard is back with a bang. The captain looks fit, strong and desperate to make up for lost time.

As well as his pin-point deliveries into the box and eye for a pass, Gerrard has a knack of inspiring those around him.

It was no coincidence that on Saturday Charlie Adam produced his best performance in a Liverpool shirt.

The Scot appeared energised by having Gerrard alongside him for the first time.

Adam snapped into tackles, repeatedly won possession back and then set about the task of carving his way through a sea of United bodies.

Adam created the chance from which Gerrard scored as he surged past Phil Jones and Darren Fletcher before being upended by Rio Ferdinand. The United defender’s post-match moaning about Adam taking a tumble cut no ice as replays showed he trod on his boot.

Ferdinand should have been grateful he wasn’t given his marching orders having already been booked for hacking down Luis Suarez.

That show of leniency from Andre Marriner – coupled with the referee’s failure to spot Evans’ handball in the box from Kuyt’s header – proved costly for Liverpool.

Suarez once again struck fear into United’s back four with his quick feet and breathtaking skills.

It was sad that his display was overshadowed by Patrice Evra’s allegations of racist abuse.

The FA’s investigation will now take its course with Suarez vehemently protesting his innocence.

Gerrard’s goal belatedly sparked the contest into life and awoke LeBron James from his slumber in the directors box.

Prior to then the NBA basketball star, who was making his first visit to Anfield following the deal with FSG which made him a minority shareholder, must have wondered what all the fuss was about.

For three quarters of the match this was a war of attrition between two arch rivals. Liverpool enjoyed the greater share of possession and territory but struggled to break down a United side intent on stifling the hosts.

By leaving out Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Nani, it was clear Alex Ferguson feared an open game would lead to a repeat of the 3-1 hammering they endured back in March.

Rather than backing his own side’s strengths, Ferguson set out to stop Liverpool by packing the midfield. With Jones and Fletcher sitting in front of the back four, space was at a premium during a frenetic opening 45 minutes which was short on quality.

But in the second half Liverpool raised the bar with Jose Enrique once again outstanding down the left, while on the other flank Martin Kelly nullified the threat of Ashley Young.

The Reds were good value for their lead and looked poised to secure a fourth straight home win over United before they shot themselves in the foot nine minutes from time.

United were always going to pose a greater threat after the introduction of Rooney, Hernandez and Nani but it was galling that they struck from a set-piece.

Nani’s corner was flicked on by Danny Welbeck and Martin Skrtel’s slip allowed Hernandez to sneak in unchallenged to head home.

Liverpool’s response to that setback was emphatic with Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson, who made a big impact after replacing Lucas, forcing fine saves from De Gea.

It was one-way traffic at the death. Skrtel volleyed over from close range and Henderson failed to hit the target with a free header.

A hero failed to emerge as Ferguson’s men grimly survived.

A new look Liverpool proved on Saturday they can compete with United over 90 minutes.

Now the challenge facing them is to do it right through until May.

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Carragher, Enrique, Kuyt, Lucas (Henderson 76), Adam, Downing, Gerrard, Suarez. Not used: Doni, Agger, Carroll, Spearing, Bellamy, Robinson.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Young (Nani 69), Jones (Hernandez 76), Fletcher, Park (Rooney 69), Giggs, Welbeck. Not used: Lindegaard, Anderson, Carrick, Valencia.

GOALS: Gerrard 68; Hernandez 81.

CARDS: Booked – Lucas; Young, Ferdinand, Evra

REFEREE: Andre Marriner

ATTENDANCE: 45,065