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Three weeks on from their seven-goal FA Cup traditional, Liverpool and Manchester United met once more — and once more, we had been entertained.
Although this contest resulted in solely 4 targets, Liverpool might have had considerably extra within the first half alone, lacking a number of probabilities whereas United did not take any type of try at Caoimhin Kelleher’s purpose.
However, as they did within the cup, United made their rivals pay for his or her profligacy as Bruno Fernandes scored from 40 yards with a wonderful first-time end after Jarell Quansah had misplaced a move, leaving Kelleher stranded. Kobbie Mainoo, as he has completed earlier than, then stepped as much as defy his 18 years and put United in entrance.
Jurgen Klopp’s facet ought to have been out of sight by half-time, however as a substitute, they left with a degree after a late Salah penalty and now sit behind Premier League leaders Arsenal on purpose distinction with seven matches to play.
Our writers, Andy Jones, Carl Anka and Ahmed Walid, give their instant evaluation of the match.
What occurred with Fernandes’ purpose?
Jarell Quansah has been a revelation for Liverpool this season.
The 21-year-old spent the second half of final season on mortgage at League One Bristol Rovers. Few anticipated him to be thrust into the limelight this season, however in each check he has confronted he has handed with flying colors.
That was till he misjudged a easy sq. move to Virgil van Dijk. Fernandes capitalised and hit a first-time shot that flew previous Kelleher and levelled the scores with United’s first shot of the sport.
Up till that time, it had been one other efficiency of a teenager who seemed as if he had performed on the high stage for years. He was a part of the defence which decreased United’s attackers to feeding off scraps.
It’s unfair guilty a teenager making their eleventh Premier League look — away at Outdated Trafford, no much less — for the top end result, however it was his mistake that price Liverpool.
These with extra expertise in attacking areas had been unable to bail him out due to their poor decision-making in entrance of purpose. To his credit score, Quansah put the error behind him and continued to carry out defensively as he had completed all through.
It’s a mistake from a younger participant that doesn’t should outline the title race. But, after the ultimate seven video games of the season, it may very well be an important second.
Andy Jones
How did this evaluate to FA Cup chaos?
Any probability of a managed and composed efficiency from both facet went out the window when Alejandro Garnacho rounded Kelleher to attain throughout the first 100 seconds.
The “purpose” was dominated out for offside, however the message was clear: we had been going to get extra of the counter-attacking silliness from the 4-3 on March 17.
Ten Hag’s plan appeared to centre round catching Liverpool chilly and scoring early… besides Liverpool held their nerve and finally received the sport’s opener within the twenty third minute. United’s response to being a purpose behind? Extra chaos.
In a group that includes the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, it is sensible to forgo structured settled possession and attempt to hit Liverpool on the break. What’s made these final two encounters enjoyable is Liverpool’s repeated and weird bungling of their counter-attacks — and Jurgen Klopp’s incensed manner when United spring a purpose out of nowhere.
Fernandes has no proper to grab upon a slack backpass and lob Kelleher from almost 40 yards out. Kobbie Mainoo managing to have the presence of thoughts to wave Garnacho away from the ball so he may very well be the one to show and shoot and get United’s second was a type of great bits of management in a chaotic setting.
The stats individuals will let you know United scored twice on two pictures of low xG and such actions are not often repeatable or sustainable. However typically the emotional narrative of a recreation can overcome the tactical necessities. Ten Hag’s males seemed to have surprised Liverpool in chaotic circumstances twice — earlier than Aaron Wan-Bissaka felled Harvey Elliott within the field.
Salah put away the resultant spot kick and Ten Hag’s response was to deliver on Mason Mount.
There may someday come a time when United and Liverpool video games flip into the “tactically intriguing” chess matches that Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal now play out. However let’s hope they’re a bit bit additional down the road.
These counter-attacking melees are a bit an excessive amount of enjoyable. Soccer for individuals who ought to know higher, however can’t assist themselves.
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Liverpool are lacking probabilities, is that this creating into a problem?
Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai each threw their heads again in frustration. The pair had been well-placed within the centre of the field prepared for a pullback, however Conor Bradley opted to shoot. It was blocked and went out for a nook.
It epitomised Liverpool in entrance of purpose within the first half: nice soccer resulting in loads of alternatives however no innovative within the United penalty space.
It was summed up by their solely purpose of the primary half coming by way of a set piece; they’ve 15 pictures however solely 4 on course, with 88 passes into the ultimate third and 21 touches within the opposition field. All of it advised the story.
But, whether or not it was Szoboszlai, Salah, Darwin Nunez or Luis Diaz, Liverpool had been wasteful from open play — simply as they’d been final month.
(Shaun Botterill/Getty Photos)
With every probability that handed the away facet by, the extra the ideas drifted again to the FA Cup tie when Liverpool ought to have prolonged their 2-1 lead. Regardless of their management and probabilities, they didn’t end off Erik ten Hag’s facet, and it proved expensive.
Minutes after Fernandes’ purpose, Liverpool discovered themselves in a five-on-two attacking state of affairs of their favour. Similarly to a break within the FA Cup tie, they failed to provide a shot on course from it.
Liverpool misplaced their manner utterly when Mainoo netted Manchester United’s second. Salah’s penalty could have salvaged a degree, however of those classes presupposed to be discovered from the cup tie, they failed to take action.
Andy Jones
When will Man Utd be taught to defend transitions?
Final summer time, Erik ten Hag wished Manchester United to be the most effective transitional group on the planet. the idea made sense contemplating the profile of United’s attackers. “We actually seemed into the historical past of Manchester United and we seemed additionally into the qualities of our gamers,” stated Ten Hag. “After which you’ll be able to say, so what will we wish to be? That’s, we wish to be the most effective transition group on the planet. We wish to shock.”
Nonetheless, to be the most effective transitional group on the planet, you additionally have to know how you can defend these conditions — it’s not solely about being gung-ho and attacking the house, particularly if you find yourself dealing with a Liverpool facet who thrive in this kind of recreation.
On this match, United’s issues on defensive transitions had been crystal clear: being rushed in possession, which ends up in a poor rest-defence because of the giant spacing between the attackers and the defenders when United are attempting to assault in settled possession, unable to win duels in midfield, and the dropping stage of counter-pressing in comparison with final season.
To be the most effective transitional group on the planet, it is advisable know how you can assault them in addition to defend them.
Ahmed Walid
How did one other makeshift United defence carry out?
A again 4 of Diogo Dalot, Willy Kambwala, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka made for United’s twenty sixth totally different defensive configuration this season.
Previous to kick-off, Ten Hag stated he was unconcerned about questions over United’s fashion of play saying “We wish to dominate out and in of possession, and play out from the again”.
The problem with such a quote is:
1) Such an outline can be utilized to explain a number of groups within the Premier League.
2) United don’t seem like dominating the sport on both facet of the ball.
3) A number of groups — together with Liverpool — seem higher at executing these actions.
United play with a slim and ineffective entrance press, and a man-marking system in midfield that may be simply exploited. Compounding issues is their rudimentary set-up on set nook kicks that lives and dies on whether or not a United participant can get first contact with the ball.
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Darwin Nunez bullied Wan-Bissaka a bit forward of the penalty spot to get the flick-on help for Luis Diaz’s end. A have a look at the picture under will present you, Nunez’s header was in an space a number of groups goal when taking part in United.
Within the thirty second minute, Alexis Mac Allister carried the ball in direction of the midway line whereas Liverpool forwards flooded ahead. The midfielder’s move discovered Diaz, who threaded in Mohamed Salah.
It takes a handful of seconds and a handful of passes from opposition groups to go from the defensive third to having a shot on Andre Onana. That is the tenth time United have confronted 10 or extra pictures within the first half of a Premier League recreation, the joint most in 2023-24.
Sharing defensive stats with Sheffield United and Luton City (12 occasions) shouldn’t be what any United fan envisioned initially of the season. Ten Hag will level to accidents affecting his facet’s capability to play at their most. Critics will ask why it’s so exhausting for the United supervisor to muster something higher than this.
The sight of Dalot blowing exhausting after one more restoration dash to his penalty space made you wince. United play with little of the collective security web different high 4/5 sides do and defenders are largely left to fend for themselves.
Carl Anka
What subsequent for Manchester United?
Saturday, April 13: Bournemouth (A), Premier League, 5.30pm UK, 12.30pm ET
What subsequent for Liverpool?
Thursday, April 11: Atalanta (H), Europa League, 8pm GMT, 3pm ET
Beneficial studying
(Prime picture: Getty Photos)
