( CNN ) -- Manchester United came from behind to deny Liverpool on an emotional day as Anfield paid tribute to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster . Robin van Persie 's 81st minute penalty gave Sir Alex Ferguson 's men all three points against a Liverpool side which played for most of the game with ten men . Jonjo Shelvey was shown a straight red card in the 39th minute following a two-footed tackle on Jonny Evans . And although Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard gave the hosts a 46th minute lead , goals from Rafael and van Persie won it for United . Football 's most poisonous rivalry ? Liverpool and Manchester United 's tempestuous past . On a day where the rivalry between England 's two most successful clubs was put aside , fans and players of both teams paid their respects to the 96 supporters who died at Hillsborough in 1989 . Shirts , flowers and cards adorned the Shankly Gates by the permanent memorial to the victims who perished 23 years ago . Both sets of players wore the number 96 as they emerged from the tunnel with Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton presenting former Liverpool striker Ian Rush a bouquet of flowers . Reds captain Steven Gerrard and his United counterpart Ryan Giggs then released 96 balloons into the Anfield sky . Fans held up mosaics around the ground as Liverpool 's traditional anthem of 'You 'll Never Walk Alone ' was played . English FA offer apology on Hillsborough . Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra put aside their personal differences and shook hands in the lead up to kick off . Liverpool striker Suarez was banned for eight matches by the Football Associaton after racially abusing the Frenchman during a league game at Anfield . But while the pre-match atmosphere was full of respect , the intense rivalry between the two sides was never far away . Once the game had started , both sets of fans began to goad each other , with a small section of United fans singing , 'Where 's you famous Munich song ? ' Panel : Police at fault in response to deadly UK stadium football crush . That was a small blot on an emotional and entertaining afternoon as both teams produced the kind of cut and thrust football that makes these derby games so thrilling . Liverpool , without a league victory under new manager Brendan Rodgers this season , came out firing on all cylinders as it looked to take the game to United . Both Gerrard and Suarez had opportunities as the home side dominated possession . But the game was turned on its head six minutes before the break when referee Mark Halsey showed Shelvey a straight red card . Down to ten men , the hosts re-grouped at half-time and grabbed the lead within a minute of the restart . Glen Johnson tricked his way into the United penalty area and picked out the unmarked Gerrard , who volleyed home from close-range . It was a poignant moment for Gerrard , whose 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley was among 96 victims . That goal sparked an outpouring of emotion from the Kop as the Liverpool players celebrated in front of their supporters . But their joy was cut short as United hit back almost immediately with Rafael curling home a spectacular equaliser from inside the penalty area . The visitors continued to make the most of their numerical advantage and were awarded a penalty when Antonio Valencia went down under minimal contact from Johnson . Van Persie , who missed his last spot kick during the recent win at Southampton , made no mistake this time as he beat Pepe Reina . Martin Kelly wasted a late chance to equalize for Liverpool as United held out for victory .
Tributes paid to the 96 before the game at Anfield . Liverpool 's Jonjo Shelvey sent off after 39 minutes . Steven Gerrard fired Liverpool ahead early in second half . Goals from Rafael and van Persie won it for United .