Liverpool 0 Man Utd 0
For fans of both clubs, Liverpool versus Man Utd is the most anticipated fixture in the season. Reds’ fans went into this game more confident than ever of victory, with the visitors looking a completely mess so far this season.
The last time these two teams met at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s side ran out 7-0 winners. With key players missing, their manager under intense pressure to keep his job, many thought another hiding could be on the cards for the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag’s side have failed to even score at this stadium for five years, an insane stat. With the new part of their stadium officially open, the fans were hoping they could mark the occasion with another win against their bitter rivals. In front of the 57,158 inside Anfield for the first time.
The first chance of the game came when Diaz robbed Mainoo out wide. As the ball was worked to Alexander-Arnold out wide, he stood a cross up to the back post. Nunez had a free header but got it all wrong, as Onana fumbled it, Salah almost poked the ball home.
Credit: @LFC
That little glimpse of the abilities of the Man Utd keeper should have prompted Jurgen Klopp’s side into looking to test him all afternoon. For some reason, having shots from all angles to put some pressure on him, did not seem to be on the menu for The Reds.
From an Alexander-Arnold corner, van Dijk had a completely free header in the middle of the goal. Sadly for the home fans, he headed it straight at the keeper, when either side of him would have been a certain goal.
Onana palmed the ball over the bar. Not tipped but palmed. Much like watching a seal try and catch a ball in fact. Apparently, the Red Devils’ stopper does in fact have opposable thumbs, although you could be forgiven for doubting this at times.
As Klopp’s side failed to find a goal to break the deadlock, the visitors grew in confidence. Some neat passing from their own box saw Mainoo spot the run of Garnacho. As he headed through on goal, he seemed to miss his shot, although the replay shows Alexander-Arnold got a timely toe to the ball.
With half an hour of the game left, Gakpo found Salah in the middle of the box. He held it up and laid the ball off into the path of the advancing Alexander-Arnold. His first-time shot went a whisker away from the post with Onana rooted to the spot.
McTominay and Antony then combined well to set up an attack for Man Utd. As the skipper played Hojlund in, with only the keeper to beat, the Dane drilled the ball into the chest of Alisson. As it came back to him, he scuffed the follow up, allowing the Brazilian to save again.
Credit: @premierleague
Hojlund has yet to score in the Premier League all season. From what we saw in this game his finishing is so poor that, had he been Jack the Ripper, there would have been five women with questionable professions still walking around the East End of London.
Mohamed Salah then had the visitors’ defence on their heels. He cut inside from the right, onto his stronger foot, looking to bend one in the far corner. It was not one of his best effort but still drew another over-elaborate save from Man Utd’s chief seal.
The Egyptian winger played in Nunez but a poor touch took the ball out of his stride. It ran to Diaz, who looked to score, but his effort was blocked by a mixture of the keeper and two defenders who all slid in.
Diogo Dalot was sent off late in the game after showing dissent to the referee’s decision to award Liverpool a throw-in. He was shown a yellow card for his reaction but then continued to argue with the referee. He had no choice but to then produce a second card for the full back.
The referee put the fans out of their misery and brought this drab affair to an end. It was quite possibly one of the worst spectacles the Premier League has seen this season. However, seeing the Man Utd players high-fiving each other and chest bumping one another at the end really shows where this club is at right now.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.