Beforehand I was nervously excited - I wasn't expecting us to win, but I didn't think we'd lose. The way we started we looked bright and passed it well, but there was nothing in terms of an end product. Rodgers alluded to this himself in one of the post-game interviews and it's something that needs addressing - you could argue there was at least an attempt at turning possession into attacking pressure in the second half, though.
Their goal came from nothing and we fell flat almost instantly. I was angry at half time, because we looked like we'd settled for bending over and taking our medicine. Although it took a second goal to really kick us up the jacksie, from then on we looked much the better team and arguably controlled the game. I ended up being strangely pleased when all was said and done - naturally disappointed to have lost to that lot, but very much encouraged by the way we played in the second half. Once Sturridge and Borini are back at full fitness it'll be interesting to see how we line up in terms of shape and personnel.
My heart was in my mouth when Skrtel fouled Wellbeck, because 1) it was Webb, 2) it was at Old Trafford and 3) because I've seen many a defender walk for that offence. I think the fact it was so close to the area and Reina was advancing saved us though - but we fell asleep from the resulting delivery and conceded once more. Just when I was contemplating punching something, we fly up the other end and Gerrard, in one of those "grab the game by the scruff of the neck" moments pounces on Valencia(?), nicks the ball and produces a weak-ish strike that De Gea fails miserably to deal with and Sturridge taps in his League debut goal. Instead of punching the wall, I punch the air in delight!
I then sit in anticipation of a Utd backlash, but it didn't really arrive. Instead we were the aggressor and everyone seemed really fired up. Whereas in the first half Skrtel stood off Van Persie, he now clattered right into him, dispossessed him fairly and left him on the floor. There was more bite in Gerrard's tackle, more purpose as Agger strode forward looking for a pass. We actually looked like a team that would trouble them, and we caused our fair share of jumpy moments for them - just a shame Sturridge couldn't tuck away what was in all honesty for him a glaring opportunity. Perhaps with more match fitness and sharpness he will.
I'll admit to being torn when I saw Borini warming up as well. I was on one hand delighted to see more attacking intent but on the other worried that we'd get too gung-ho and leave ourselves wide open on the counter. Thankfully this didn't happen, though the introduction of Henderson may have been the primary reason - he did well again in his brief cameo, I thought.
Overall it was a shame we couldn't find that equaliser. We lost the match and it hurts, but there were positives to take away no doubt about it. There were also questions raised, most notably perhaps pertaining to our midfield - can Allen and Lucas play together? Should Henderson be prioritised over one of them? Tactically we weren't good enough in the first half, but then again the players weren't awake so it was difficult to see what our game plan was as Utd rode all over us. It was noticeably different in the second half and I'd like to think there were a few choice words delivered during the break.
To address the question in the OP, I think we'll see a lot of good things from Sturridge and Suarez over the coming weeks. You could see there were attempts to play off and find each other already, and as Luis dropped deeper to accommodate the new boy it certainly produced options in the final third. The ball Suarez played across field onto Sturridge's toe was lovely, and I was pleased to see him control the ball with ease. In his first game he looked a bit rusty I guess and struggled a bit with ball control, but then again the Mansfield pitch wasn't the best ever so I'm probably being overly harsh. I think with Borini too we'll see exciting things as his fitness improves. The front three could be a very potent force given the right support from midfield, which will have to improve - but can hopefully do just that whilst the attackers develop their relationships and understanding.
I was also quite surprised at just how tall Sturridge is. I know there was that running joke about his height in the WTF sub-forum but until I'd seen him playing (for us - can't say I took that much notice when he played for anyone else!) and coming up against Ferdinand etc, I don't think I appreciated his height. Certainly moves quick for a big lad!