Kenny Dalglish's first match back as Liverpool manager ended in a 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat by Manchester United on Sunday and, to make matters worse, captain Steven Gerrard was sent-off.
Any hopes Liverpool great Dalglish, the last manager to bring the league title to Anfield in 1990, would immediately revive the squad after the six-month reign of Roy Hodgson was ended on Saturday, lasted barely 35 seconds at Old Trafford.
That was how long it took United to earn a penalty scored by Ryan Giggs after striker Dimitar Berbatov was clipped in the box by Daniel Agger.
Worse followed for Dalglish when Liverpool captain Gerrard was sent-off by World Cup final referee Howard Webb for jumping into a challenge on fellow England midfielder Michael Carrick in the 32nd minute.
Turning to Webb's decision to award a penalty, Dalglish said: "I don't think it's a penalty kick." Berbatov insisted that it had been a penalty. Victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's Premier League leaders meant United avoided a repeat of last season's embarrassment when they were knocked out in the third round by then League One side Leeds.
FA Cup holders Chelsea, bidding to win the trophy for a third straight season, thrashed Ipswich Town 7-0 just days after the Championship club sacked Roy Keane as their manager.
Premier League highflyers Tottenham Hotspur beat third division Charlton 3-0. Sunday's other third round tie sees Manchester City away to a Leicester side managed by their former boss and ex-England supremo Sven-Goran Eriksson.
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