Gerrard Feels Hard Done By

Steven Gerrard was pleased to mark his return to Liverpool's first XI with a goal but he was disappointed Manchester United could not be defeated at Anfield.

The fit-again Liverpool captain's free-kick found its way through a United wall weakened by Ryan Giggs deserting his post to give the hosts the lead.

But substitute Javier Hernandez headed United level and Liverpool were unable to find a winner.

David de Gea made an excellent save from Jordan Henderson and when Martin Skrtel blazed over it was certain that United would remain six points ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League table.

"I'm sure our fans will feel a little bit hard done by with the chances at the end, we could have nicked it," Gerrard told Sky Sports HD2.

"Before the game our aim was to close the gap and get it to three points."

On his goal, the England midfielder added: "The free-kick wasn't the best, the intention was to get it over the wall, but a couple of years ago at Old Trafford the same thing happened, the wall split.

"Maybe it's just the bit of luck I was looking for in my first game back.

"When you're out and sitting watching these games, there's nothing worse. To be out there experiencing the emotions again was fantastic and hopefully I can stay fit for the rest of the season now."

United defender Rio Ferdinand has also been absent with injury for much of this season and concurred, as he said: "These are the games you want to play in, the things you love and enjoy."

It was Ferdinand's foul on Charlie Adam which led to the free-kick, with opposite camps feeling either that the Scot made the most of minimal contact or that Ferdinand was fortunate to escape a second yellow card.

"There was the slightest contact, but I don't think it was enough to make a fella of 12 or 13 stone fall on the floor," Ferdinand insisted.

He praised the character of his side, though, adding: "They created a couple of chances towards the end but for most of the second half I thought we controlled it and played good football. In the final third, if we'd made those good decisions, we could have had opportunities.

"We showed the resilience you need to come places like this and get a point."