Sturridge goal knocks Manchester United and leads Liverpool to take the championship lead.

Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal of the game for Liverpool FC to inflict a first defeat of the season on reigning Premier League champions Manchester United FC.

Liverpool had not beaten United in the league since March 2011, but the Reds got off to a dream begin thanks to Sturridge's third goal in as many games. 

With the match just four minutes old, the in-form striker, celebrating his 24th birthday, escaped the attentions of Patrice Evra at a corner to stoop and redirect Daniel Agger's header into the net.

The hosts were hunting a third straight tidy sheet and a combination of some solid defending and the reflexes of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet helped Brendan Rodgers' side survive a late United rally to post their third 1-0 win this term.

Elsewhere, Ben Davies and Pablo Hernndez ensured Swansea City AFC came away from West Bromwich Albion FC as 2-0 victors, while Arsenal FC and immense-spending Tottenham Hotspur FC contest the north London derby in the day's late kick-off.