Liverpool hosted Manchester United at Anfield in a clash of the two biggest teams in England. Manchester United have history on their side with their last lost at Anfield in the league dating back to September 1, 2013. Jurgen Klopp is looking to get a win to keep Liverpool ahead of Manchester City in the League, with a draw or loss keeps City ahead. Jose Mourinho’s side should be looking for a win with Arsenal loosing earlier, a win could increase their chances of finishing about them.
There are some surprises in the Manchester United line up, with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial on the bench. The match begins and as expected, Liverpool have majority of the possession. In the 24th minute they take the lead and Sadio Mane scores ending his goal drought the league. It starts from a throw in and Roberto Firmino passes it to Fabinho in the middle. Fabinho gives a wonderful pass to Mane who losses his man. He controls it with his chest and scores a volley giving Liverpool the lead. Fabinho is starting to fit in very well at Liverpool, who was at first being hugely criticized.
United Respond in the 33rd minute with a mistake from Brazilian goalkeeper Allison Becker. Romelu Lukaku crosses it and Becker can’t catch it. It slips out his hands and goes to the path of Jese Lingard who just passes it into the net, Liverpool 1-1 United. Near the end of the half Sadio Mane goes through the defense and David De Gea makes a big save, Mane was counted offside so if their were a goal it would have been disallowed.
The first half ends and Liverpool kept the ball majority of it, with Mourinho’s side being defensive. Bailly who came in to replace the injured Smalling might just show Mourinho why he should be a starter.
The second half begins and Liverpool continue dominating United half. Marouane Fellaini comes on to replace Diogo Dallot, changing formations for United. With United failing to be an attacking threat, when is Mourinho going to bring on Pogba or Martial.
Klopp desperate for a win brings off Naby Keita for Xherdan Shaqiri, now having four forwards on the pitch at the 70th minute. INSTANT GOAL BY SHAQIRI! 3 minutes in and he’s scored for Liverpool. Mane takes on Herrera with his flair and takes a shot that is saved by De Gea. The ball goes to the penalty box to Shaqiri and he takes a shot that goes in off the crossbar. Liverpool take the lead, it’s 2-1. Mourinho has still not subbed on either Martial or Pogba which are noticeably missing.
Martial is finally subbed on in the 79th minute but this change could be too late. SHAQIRI SCORES AGAIN! Liverpool pass the ball on their way to United half and Firmino gives it to Salah. He tricks the defenders and Shaqiri takes the shot outside the 18-yard box and he scores again. Fantastic display fro Shaqiri, winning Liverpool the game in 11 minutes.
The match ends 3-1 to Liverpool and Anfield goes wild. Liverpool stay in first place, being the only team to not suffer a defeat in the league. Their defense is to thank for this achievement, only conceding 7 goals for the whole of the season. Liverpool now face Wolves on Friday, in order to keep ahead of City they need to continue winning and avoid dropping any unnecessary points. Things are looking very well for Liverpool, looking more as favorites for the league.
For Manchester United there are multiple questions to be asked. Is Jose Mourinho the manager fit to the job? With the money that he has spent on players, he doesn’t play or have trust in majority of these signings. Spending nearly 400 million pounds, Mourinho still blames the board for not giving him enough funds. His tactics are not satisfying their fans and his player decisions are questionable. He subbed on Martial late to the game, who has been their most crucial player this season, and didn’t even play Pogba, their record signing and World Cup winner. Now in sixth place, things are looking bad for United who finished in second place last season. They face Cardiff City next week who are a team who also tend to play really defensively. If United attack and play their big players they should definitively win the match.
Alex's Soccer Blog 