Capital One Cup: Manchester United settle scores against Liverpool

Wayne Rooney in action during the Capital One Cup Third Round match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on September 25, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

It was basically a case of United’s attack cancelling out Liverpool’s – Hernandez’s 46^th minute strike was the only difference between the teams. Like Sturridge at Anfield two weeks earlier, his strike was a blip on an otherwise equal performance from both sides.

While Rooney attacked down the centre regularly, Suarez did the same at the other end. It was all like-for-like. Both Luis Enrique and Nani provided moments of inspiration down the flanks, but neither was able to drum up anything close to a finishing move.

Suarez and Rooney

From a Liverpool point of view, a generalised and brutal yet effective evaluation is possible: if both Suarez and Rooney play, United will probably win; if neither plays, Liverpool ought to win. This is a simple tactical analysis as both play behind the main striker, but Rooney is a more complete forward than Suarez. While both tend to up their game in these clashes, Rooney is the better finisher.

In their very first clash, Suarez destroyed United’s defence, setting up a Dirk Kuyt hat-trick with a brilliant display of dribbling. A year later, Rooney did the same to Liverpool with a convincing second half display at Old Trafford.

But in later matches, United have figured out how to subdue the Uruguayan – or at least how to shut off his supply; likewise, Rooney has not figured as a definitive presence in the last few league games.

Accordingly, this match was decided by a Hernandez volley from a Rooney corner, giving the ex-Evertonian a slight advantage. In reality, however, both were well accounted for by opposition defences.

Conclusion

This was a tough but somewhat dissatisfying match from start to finish. Both sides wanted to win, but the home advantage perhaps gave United a greater motivation. Like the Anfield encounter earlier this month, it is safe to say that the home side had the gumption to win.

The Merseysiders have now gone two matches without a goal, and this will no doubt be an area of concern for Rodgers before the upcoming Sunderland clash.

United haven’t exactly set the league alight, and aren’t title favourites this season – but on the evidence of this match, they can perhaps target a domestic trophy.