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It was certainly not the first half that Ole Gunnar Solskjær would have envisioned against Liverpool. In such a big match against the title contenders, the manager had to make all three substitutions by the end of the first half, with Liverpool making two.
Fun Fact: It is the first time in the EPL this season that a match has seen a total of more than three substitutions in the first half. [Source: Squawka]
With injuries and substitutions disrupting the flow of the game, both sides combined to have only four shots on target thus far. Jurgen Klopp has Alisson to thank for making a wonderful save and preventing Jesse Lingard from taking the lead.
It is a pity that the Reds have lost Roberto Firmino in the first 45 minutes after injuring his ankle. The Brazilian has certainly been a key player alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane this season.
However, it is the Red Devils who have a huge headache. If they are to lose any other player due to an injury, the team would no longer be able to make any substitutions and they would have to play with a disadvantage.
Ole would be eager to pocket three points from the game and help his side get revenge. United lost the fixture at Anfield – the match that cost Jose Mourinho his position as the manager of the club. However, hopes of solidifying a top four position and getting points look bleak with so many injuries to the players.
Liverpool only have themselves to blame if they are unable to take advantage of the situation. As for Ole, he would be praying that his substitutions pay off and are able to make an impact on the match. Here was how fans laughed at United's game thus far.
How Twitter reacted to the first half:
