Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool: 5 talking points as United edge a thriller | FA Cup 2020-21

#3 Liverpool snap out of their attacking slumber...

Liverpool's attack looked back to its dangerous best today

Much has been made recently of Liverpool’s attacking slumber. Jurgen Klopp’s side – who were free-scoring throughout 2019-20 – haven’t found the net in their last four Premier League games. Their last goals before today came against Aston Villa’s U-18 side. And they looked thoroughly out of ideas against Burnley this week.

However, today their front line – Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino in particular – appeared to snap out of their funk and produced the kind of form that had every defence in Europe terrified of them.

Firmino was back to his best, dropping deep at times to claim the ball and threading multiple passes through to Salah. And the Egyptian largely obliged, scoring two goals, but in truth, on another day he could well have had four or five.

Sure, Manchester United’s slack defence played its part. Their marking for Salah’s first goal was appalling, and quite why they risked playing out from the back prior to the Egyptian’s second is an absolute mystery.

Even so though, this was the most dangerous Liverpool have looked going forward since 2021 began. Klopp will be hoping that his forwards can continue this form going into this Thursday’s key Premier League game with Tottenham, because if they play like this, they can definitely score.

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#4...but the Reds’ defensive woes are still a massive concern

Liverpool's Rhys Williams was culpable for Manchester United's second goal today

For as good as Liverpool’s forwards were today, their defence must still be a major concern for Klopp. Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes all took their goals wonderfully today, but the truth is that all three goals could’ve been cut out.

Greenwood was simply allowed far too much space by Andrew Robertson and Fabinho for his goal, while Rashford’s was outright caused by a massive error from Rhys Williams, who somehow let the ball get past him and into the path of the England forward.

And while nobody could’ve done anything about Fernandes’ wonderful free-kick, and it’s true that Edinson Cavani probably pulled the wool over ref Craig Pawson’s eyes to win it, it was still avoidable.

Would Virgil Van Dijk have needed to get as close to the Uruguayan as Fabinho did in order to allow him to tumble to the ground in the first place? Probably not.

With Van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for the foreseeable future and Joel Matip apparently not fit enough to play every game, surely Liverpool must dip into the transfer market this month, even for a temporary solution.

Judging by today’s game, Liverpool’s less-experienced defenders aren’t good enough, while playing Fabinho out of position can only work for so long. It’s an issue that may well come back to haunt Liverpool in their upcoming clash with Tottenham.

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#5 Why did Manchester United even sign Van de Beek?

Donny Van de Beek once again struggled today

While Manchester United’s defending was questionable at times today, particularly for Liverpool’s two goals, their most ineffective player by a mile was Donny Van de Beek.

The Dutch playmaker was selected ahead of Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United’s playmaker – most likely to give the Portuguese a rest – but completely failed to make an impact on the game.

While Marcus Rashford looked dangerous every time he ran at Liverpool’s defence and Mason Greenwood took his goal well, the Dutchman was completely anonymous.

Incredibly, Van De Beek played 66 minutes of today’s game, made 23 touches of the ball, and completed just 14 accurate passes with one of them being a key pass. Fernandes, by comparison, managed 21 touches, 9 accurate passes, and one key pass in less than half that time.

Quite why Manchester United parted with around £40m to bring Van De Beek to Old Trafford in August is a mystery. He’s clearly an excellent talent – but he doesn’t fit into this Manchester United side at all and having him around feels like an uneeded luxury.

Perhaps the best thing for all parties would be to find the Dutchman a loan move this month.