4. The League now has a blueprint for facing Liverpool
This match was a masterclass in how to deal with Liverpool. Their high press may be a source of anxiety for the clubs they face, but here Manchester United proved that if you keep a compact shape and giving the Liverpool midfielders no space or passing lanes through the middle is the best way to deal with their directness. With the trio of Pogba, Herrera and Fellaini shielding Bailly and Smalling, Coutinho and the rest of the tricksters were forced to find joy on the flanks, thereby involving Clyne and Milner. This is where United controlled and shaped how the game panned out. Jose Mourinho forced the Liverpool team into uncharted territory.
Aggressive and brutal in attack this Liverpool team might be, their full backs are a poor reflection of the talent of the rest of the team. Let’s just admit it. Clyne had a shocker. And for as much praise as Milner has been receiving recently, it would be wise not to forget that he is right-footed, make-shift Left Back at best. Nothing of quality ever came into the Manchester United penalty box and when it did, it was cleared with ease.
As the game wore on, the Liverpool players were forced into taking pot shots which are Mr. De Gea’s bread and butter. He did make a world class save or two, but by his own high standards, it was a quiet day in the office as the high work rate of United’s midfield three combined with that of Young and Rashford had won the battle in the trenches already.
Teams who play Liverpool will now be wise to try the same and see what Klopp can muster as an answer.
