Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool: 5 things we learned

Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League

José Mourinho's Manchester United delivered another crucial win and three points at Old Trafford after they dispatched of Liverpool quickly in the first half.

The Red Devils had performed exceedingly well against Chelsea last month, and have now doubled that against Liverpool to cement their place in second.

Liverpool were disappointing for large parts of the game and failed to conjure up anything of considerable note, with their only goal coming through Eric Bailly.

#5 Rashford vs Trent Alexander-Arnold

Marcus Rashford might not have started a game in 2018, but he’s made a huge claim to be in Mourinho’s plans moving forward after two goals that separated Manchester United and Liverpool.

The England international terrorised Trent Alexander-Arnold down the right wing, constantly beating him for pace and causing a mockery of the Liverpool player’s defensive capabilities.

For the first goal, Rashford ran onto a flicked-on header from Romelu Lukaku, in which he sprinted into the box before cutting the ball back, causing Alexander-Arnold to stutter and allow the 20-year-old forward space in the box. Rashford picked his spot and fired the ball past Loris Karius into the bottom right-hand corner. It was a sensational finish and goal.

The Portuguese coach obviously saw a weakness down Liverpool’s right wing and exploited it perfectly with the pace, strength and dribbling ability of Rashford.

#4 Manchester United’s resolute defence

Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
The Red Devils remained strong in defence

Apart from Eric Bailly’s unfortunate own goal, Manchester United’s defence remained resolute throughout and were far stronger as a collective unit than previous outings.

Ashley Young was phenomenal in keeping Premier League top scorer Mo Salah quiet throughout the match - the Englishman man-marked the Egyptian perfectly and kept eyes on him at all times.

It was Bailly’s first start since November, but the Ivorian didn’t show any signs of rustiness for the opening 60 minutes. United’s best defender fitted in as if he had never left through injury and kept a hold on Roberto Firmino’s movements in-and-around the box.

#3 Liverpool looked non-threatening

Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
Mo Salah struggled to leave his mark on the game

For all of Liverpool’s free-flowing and devastating attacks this season, they looked flat for large parts of the game and failed to really pose a threat.

Too often did Jürgen Klopp’s men look lethargic in bringing the ball into United’s half and were lacking sources of inspiration in trying to get in-behind Mourinho’s defence.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struggled once again playing at Old Trafford, as he has done in the past with Arsenal, and was hooked for Adam Lallana just after the hour mark.

The former Saints midfielder failed to step up to the plate, too, and couldn’t create anything of note for his very attacking triumvirate.

#2 Romelu Lukaku bullied Dejan Lovren

Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League

There have been plenty of critics on the back of Lukaku over his big game performances this season, but they seemed to have quietened down after his two matches against Chelsea and now Liverpool.

The former Everton forward planted himself on Dejan Lovren from start until finish, using his superior strength to get the better of the Liverpool centre-back, and was decisive in doing so for the two goals in the first half.

United’s centre-forward had struggled toward the end of last year, but since the turn of the year, Lukaku has been brilliant in not only scoring goals, but also getting more involved in the game and influencing the outcome of matches.

Lovren couldn’t get near Lukaku and certainly couldn’t shrug him off the ball at any point throughout the 90 minutes. The Belgian international is getting better each week and United are profiting from it.

#1 Liverpool’s attacking trio unusually quiet

Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
Liverpool just couldn't release the attacking trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino

It is unlike Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane to be so quiet throughout a game, but for one reason or another, they couldn’t get out of third gear.

All three having off games stifled the Reds’ attack and therefore could barely create anything of considerable note. After the Bailly own goal, Liverpool only attempted to shots, which were both blocked and cleared out of sight.

After Bailly inadvertently placed the ball into the back of his own net, you would have expected Liverpool to have used that momentum swing in their favour. Instead, it was all very predictable in try to work everything through the middle and nothing paid off. It was a tiresome display from the Reds and one that was never going to break the United defence.

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Edited by Sripad