Kuyt's dramatic 88th-minute winner dumped the record 11-time winners out of the FA Cup and left Liverpool and manager Kenny Dalglish one step closer to a repeat of their 2001 League Cup and FA Cup double.

The fourth-round tie was the first time the bitter rivals had met since Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was hit with an eight-game ban for racially abusing United's French defender Patrice Evra in a league game on October 15.

But the tie appeared to pass off without major incident after Dalglish and United counterpart Ferguson appealed for calm in the build-up to the game.

While Liverpool fans booed Evra mercilessly throughout, the game itself was free of controversy, with only one yellow card shown.

``The players showed great respect for each other,'' said Ferguson afterwards.

``There was not a bad tackle in the game. It was played in a good spirit. We are pleased with that.

``To lose is a real sickening blow. We dominated the game in terms of possession. We did very well in that respect. But to lose the game is hard to believe.

``Some of our possession was good. Our movement off the ball was good. I thought we were in the driving seat.''

United were without Wayne Rooney, Nani and Phil Jones because of ankle injuries.