The Premier League leaders Manchester United suffered a blow as they were beaten by Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield on Sunday while Dirk Kuyt completed a hat-trick with the help of shining Luis Suarez.

United lost to the defending champions Chelsea 2-1 on Tuesday, but came to Anfield in confidence. Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov almost put them ahead after 15 minutes when his powerful volley hit the post.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish had to make an early change in the 24th minute to replace injured defender Fabio Aurelio with Greek Sotirios Kyrgiakos, but the Reds played comfortably and kept threatening United in counter-attack.

Suarez was so skillful that he cast off three opponents to reach the box and set up a simple opener for Kuyt after 34 minutes. Five minutes later, The Uruguayan striker's cross was headed by Luis Nani mistakenly towards United's goalmouth and Kuyt only needed an easy touch to score his second goal.

Both sides were prone to lose their tempers late in the first half when Jamie Carragher tackled down Nani and United protested strongly when the defender only received a yellow card. Nani was stretchered off and Alex Ferguson was bold to dispatch Mexican striker Javier Hernandez for a three-forward lineup.

The Red Devils put the hosts into trouble in the early stages of the second half but suffered a setback in the 65th minute when Edwin Van der Sar failed to hold on Suarez's freekick, awarding Kuyt a great chance to finish a hat-trick.

Hernandez scored deep into stoppage time but United were far away from a point.

Liverpool's victory ensured the Premier League title race remains wide open as Arsenal kept three points behind Manchester United and with one game in hand.