Result
Tuesday’s only Premier League clash played out a short time ago. Said game saw bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester United face off at Anfield.
Liverpool headed into the game as clear favourites and, when all was said and done, would come away with a crucial three points that has seen them leapfrog Manchester City atop of the Premier League for the time being.
The Reds took just five minutes to open the scoring on the day. Manchester United’s defence was carved open and Mohamed Salah had little issue finding Luis Diaz who slotted past David de Gea.
Liverpool continued to swarm United and made it 2-0 through Mohamed Salah after another excellent ball from Sadio Mane.
The teams then went in at the break with Liverpool two goals to the good. However, when Manchester United took Phil Jones off for Jadon Sancho at half-time and reverted back to their usual 4-2-3-1, it did swing the game in the away side’s favour.
But, just when it looked as though the game was slipping away from Klopp and co., Sadio Mane capped off a superb showing by making it 2-0 67 minutes in.
Salah then added insult to injury, netting Liverpool’s 4th and final goal of the day after 84 minutes.
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson (7) – Had little to do, but did what he had to well.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7) – Linked up well with Salah down Liverpool’s right. Also made a number of key tackles and interceptions.
Virgil van Dijk (6) – Solid first half but lost his cool somewhat in the second 45 as United applied more pressure.
Joel Matip (7) – Excellent defensively and also got the pre-assist for Liverpool’s second.
Andy Robertson (7.5) – Did well to steal possession from Elanga and start the attack that led to Liverpool’s 3rd of the day. An absolute workhorse on the night as well.
Fabinho (7) – Defensively sound, neturalsing Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard’s threat.
Thiago (9) – Another masterful showing from Thiago in midfield, controlling play with his quick passing, starting attacks with his superb vision and also causing United’s midfield and defence problems with runs at goal.
Jordan Henderson (6) – Was outshone by Thiago on the night but still a solid outing.
Mohamed Salah (9) – Great ball to Diaz early on to open the scoring before getting a goal of his own 15 minutes later and then a second 84 minutes in.
Sadio Mane (9) – Linked play well in the Roberto Firmino role, including dropping deep to start the move that saw Diaz put Liverpool 1-0 up. Mane’s ball for the Reds’ second was superb as well. Capped off a fine display with a goal after 67 minutes.
Luis Diaz (8) – Showed great pace and composure to finish off a Salah cross and set up Mane’s goal.
Substitutes
Diogo Jota (7) – Great assist for Salah’s second.
Naby Keita (N/A)
James Milner (N/A)
Manchester United player ratings
David de Gea (4) – Distribution with his feet remains poor and conceded three goals.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (4.5) – Didn’t make one huge mistake, but like the rest of United’s defence, he was largely ineffective.
Harry Maguire (3) – Was dragged out of position in the build-up to the Diaz opener.
Victor Lindelof (3) – Lindelof was all over the place defensively, unable to keep track of Diaz and Mane and it was his poor ball to Elanga that led to the Liverpool attack which saw Sadio Mane make it 3-0.
Phil Jones (3) – Simply didn’t have the pace to keep up with Liverpool’s front three. Hooked at half-time.
Diogo Dalot (4) – Had an absolute nightmare dealing with Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah in the first half before being moved to right-back at the break where he was slightly less awful.
Nemanja Matic (5) – Really struggled to deal with the flare and intelligence of Thiago.
Paul Pogba (1) – Didn’t close down Mane before he slipped in Salah. Off after nine minutes with an injury.
Bruno Fernandes (4.5) – Some very poor passing from Fernandes by his usual standards. His pressing was also lacking.
Marcus Rashford (4) – Hardly touched the ball all night, having no shots on or off target. His pressing was very poor.
Anthony Elanga (4) – Like Rashford, Elanga was starved of service but also didn’t help himself due to his lack of pressing, especially in the first 45.
Substitutes
Jesse Lingard (4) – Brought on after 10 minutes but struggled to create anything of note during the game.
Jadon Sancho (6.5) – Was United’s most creative, attack-minded player when he came on, though he didn’t have much competition for that title.
Hannibal Mejbri (2) – Lost possession in build-up to Liverpool’s 4th.
What the experts said
What the fans said
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