Football News: Manchester United v Liverpool - A Liverpool Perspective

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Manchester United v Liverpool A Liverpool Perspective

As usual with these games, it was a dull affair with little goalmouth action to liven it up. It is difficult to get excited by these as they always produce such unsatisfying affairs to watch. They are like European games, seldom do they live up to the hype they get ahead of time and produce a spectacle worthy of the occasion. It amazes me people still look forward to them!

The most exciting thing about the match was the number of injuries, with Man Utd suffering 4 in the first half, one to a sub who had to go off 18 minutes later to be replaced by another sub. Rashford spent most of the match on one leg, and that is about all that can be reported from the game to be honest.

Two teams playing not to lose first and foremost, which never leads to exciting games, and both got the point they really aimed for. Such a disappointment, especially from a Liverpool point of view, as United with all those injury problems should have been a good chance to make it a 3 point lead at the top.

However, Liverpool were abysmal and nothing really went well in their attacking play. They may be league leaders now but they will not remain there if they continue to play like this. It was qite possibly the worst performance of the season.

Solskjaer - did what he could with a patched up side to get the result he aimed for and was only a fantastic Alisson save away from all 3 points. It was not pretty or entertaining but it was effective. Rating: 7.5.

De Gea - not even sure he broke sweat. One of the easiest games he will ever have had against Liverpool. Rating: 6.

Young - he is always on the verge of costing his side with a rash challenge or silly error, even on his best days. There were a couple of times he made errors but Liverpool failed to punish him. However he still had a decent game and played Mane well. Rating: 7.

Smalling - the kind of game that suits his strengths and protects his weaknesses. On the ball he is clumsy and struggles to pass water, but he was not asked to play passes, just to defend. Smalling was able to just concentrate on getting to the ball and clearing it or winning headers. Rating: 7.

Lindelof - the Swedish defender is beginning to show what he can do as he is adapting to the English league and no longer struggling with the physicality. Starting to look a very capable defender. Rating: 7.

Shaw - at times he did really well, but he was far too slow to get out and close down once set in place. There is a reason why almost all of Liverpool's attacks came down his side of the pitch, he stands off opponents and ball watches far too much. Rating: 6.

Herrera - his energy and workrate are a big part of how the United midfield operate and his early loss through injury could have badly disrupted them. He knits the team together and had started off the game well. Rating: 5.5.

McTominay - replaced Matic in the starting line-up and played like a more mobile version of him. The youngster does not have the same quality of left foot that Matic has but he does have a similar range of passing. He had a very impressive game protecting the back four and ensuring Liverpool never created enough really good chances. Rating: 8.

Pogba - not a game for him to show his abilities, but at least he showed a willingness to put the work in, something that is often missing from his game. Rating: 7.

Mata - another one who barely got a chance to get involved before his injury. Rating: 5.

Lukaku - he could have offered a lot more, as Ole continously told him, after one bit of success physically against Robertson, he allowed himself to get shut out of the game. At one point he was even outmuscled by the much smaller Liverpool full-back. Rating: 5.

Rashford - despite playing most of the match on one leg, pretty much, Rashford still managed to be a constant threat, far more than even the nuisance value you would expect of an injured player. Rating: 7.5.

Subs:

Pereira - replaced Herrera in the 21st minute. Finally got his chance in a position more suited to his game than the deep-lying role he had been asked to play and it showed. Worked hard and played well. Rating: 7.

Lingard - took the place of Mata in the 25th minute. Barely got on the pitch before he pulled up lame. Rating: 5.

Sanchez - brought on in the 43rd minute to replace Lingard. Much more like the Sanchez United thought they were getting off Arsenal. Worked hard, caused issues and helped put an end to Milner getting easy openings to charge forward at will. Rating: 6.5.

Klopp - not sure he got this game right at all. Tactically cautious and then, in my opinion, got his substitutions wrong. While I understand not starting with Alexander-Arnold, he should have been brought on as his delivery is excellent and he is always an attacking threat. Bringing on Sturridge was a mistake as well. Set out just to avoid defeat and could not lift the side to go for a win when it was there to be taken. Rating: 3.5.

Alisson - made a fantastic save to keep out Lingard, but had little else to do for the rest of the game. Both keepers had far too easy a game. Rating: 7.

Milner - had so many opportunities to put crosses into the box that he just wasted. His normally reliable delivery was completely missing. Picked up a silly booking as well. One of those days he will want to forget. Rating: 2.5.

Matip - one good marauding run forward does not make up for his hopeless defending. Constantly caught ball watching and having to chase back, as well as missing easy chances from set pieces. The more he plays, the more Gomez is missed! It is like he is playing an online game and has lag. He is always off the pace and reacting to what happens late. Rating: 2.

van Dijk - the partnership with Matip does not seem to work and he often has no idea where Matip is. Admittedly because Matip has got himself in the wrong position usually. He is going to have to start treating Matip like he does Gomez, and talk him through the game, as Matip is going to cost goals otherwise. Rating: 6.

Robertson - once again he had a poor game. Plenty of endeavour but a complete lack of quality. Rating: 4.

Wijnaldum - once again played well and proved his worth. After seasons of being anonymous in midfield, he has raised his game this season to keep his place despite the increased competition for places. Rating: 7.

Fabinho - not really a game for a holding midfielder to excel, but he did defend well when called upon. Rating: 6.5.

Henderson - drove forward when he could and got back when needed. It was a bit of a surprise he was taken off to be honest. Rating: 6.5.

Mane - not one of his better days, struggled to get into the game at all. When he did his touch and finish was not at its best. However, he is always a threat and does force the opposition back as well as work back to protect Robertson. Rating: 6.

Salah - I am not sure why he is taking stick. Johan Cruyff used to say that a good pass is more than just one that gets to the man, it should be played to a position that allows the receiver to turn away from a defender and onto his stronger foot. Every pass to Salah was forcing him to either stretch for it, use his weaker foot or fight for an aerial ball against the likes of Smalling. He needs better service, he is a great player not a miracle worker. Rating: 5.

Firmino - was really looking more like the Firmino of old before picking up an injury doing his usual chasing back. The whole attack became toothless without him there to link it up. Rating: 6.

Subs:

Sturridge - replaced Firmino in the 31st minute. Dreadful. An absolute waste of a shirt. His movement is poor, he does not attack the box, he wastes good attacking positions with ludicrous shots from long range and he bottles out of tackles. Rating: 1.5.

Shaqiri - was brought on instead of Henderson in the 72nd minute. He played like a headless chicken with a clubfoot. He ran around a lot to no effect, in the wrong areas and every pass was way overhit. Has lost his way after his early success. Rating: 3.5.

Origi - came on in place of Salah in the 79th minute. Another one making the wrong runs. He does not seem to know what he should be doing with himself. Should he be chasing around making runs down the wing or just concentrate on being in the centre ready to receive passes in the box? For me he is at his best when he actually gets in the box and looks to just bully the centre backs with his pace and power. There is no need for him to drop deep or drift wide, just stay central and look to be a threat from crosses. Rating: 4.5.

Just to explain my ratings. I have gone for what I believe is more simple than the usual of totting up points. I have decided to go with 5 as having no effect on the game other than being a body on the pitch. Anything below 5 is a player who had a negative effect on his team and anything above 5 as a positive effect. So a goal scored would be a positive effect and add to the rating, whereas giving away a penalty with a needless challenge would take away from it.

Written by Tris Burke February 26 2019 16:11:29