Liverpool FC continue to put Manchester City under pressure in the championship race: The Reds dispatched Manchester United on Tuesday and took the lead in the table for the time being. Cristiano Ronaldo was absent – but still played a role.
For Liverpool it was all about getting ahead in the championship race, for United about important points in the fight for the Champions League places. Especially after the bitter 5-0 defeat in the first leg, ManUnited also had a lot to make up for at their arch-rivals. In addition to the sporting explosiveness, however, the game also focused on the personal blow to Cristiano Ronaldo.
In terms of personnel, LFC coach Jürgen Klopp took Konaté and Keita out of the starting eleven after the 3-2 defeat in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City. Matip and Henderson started instead. United coach Ralf Rangnick made four changes from the 3-2 win over bottom side Norwich City. Three-pointer Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature after the death of his newborn twin child. Sancho, Alex Telles and Lingard were also on the bench for the time being. Instead, Rashford, Matic, Wan-Bissaka and Jones started from the beginning. The Red Devils also fielded a three-man backline, which almost exclusively caused problems.
Liverpool counter-attack with lightning speed – Pogba forced off early
In the fifth minute, Salah was free after a wonderful one-touch combination and served the better-positioned Luis Diaz inside the five-yard box for an early lead. Two minutes later, the crowd got emotional: In support of Cristiano Ronaldo, the crowd applauded together and dedicated their thoughts to the Portuguese goal scorer. The next blow for ManUnited followed on the pitch in the opening phase: Pogba limped off the pitch and was replaced by Lingard (10th).
Even with the new player, the attitude of the Red Devils continued to change little. The body language was not up to scratch and all the qualities United lacked were present in the home side. Liverpool were attacking, switching quickly after winning the ball and creating problems for the United defence, so it was only a matter of time before they scored again.
Mané’s magical pass undermines United
After Fabinho had punched an aerial hole while still free (18th), Salah increased the lead to 2-0 (22nd) after Mané’s dream pass. The Egyptian thus ended his misery of six games without a goal. Liverpool kept United in their own penalty area for the whole of the first half, but took some of the pace out of the game. However, when Liverpool went for it, it was immediately dangerous. This was the case in minute 35, when Luis Diaz scored but was criminally offside.
The Red Devils looked more confident after the break, but Liverpool were still in control of the game. With the introduction of Sancho and the switch to a four-man defence, the defensive construct at least looked a little more solid. And as Liverpool lost some of the magic of the first half, United regained their courage. The first big chance was missed by Elanga (64th), who had been set up by Joker Sancho, who breathed new life into the visitors’ game.
United caught cold: Mané with the preliminary decision
In the middle of Rangnick’s first mini-pressure phase, Liverpool switched gears in exemplary fashion and ensured the preliminary decision in the person of Mané (68th). The Senegalese scored to make it 3-0, although the Reds had looked a little tired beforehand.
In the closing stages, Liverpool stifled United’s efforts and Salah made it 4-0 after Maguire had opened the gap and made the easy pass (85). Liverpool FC thus slipped temporarily to first place and at the same time diminished the Champions League hopes of their great rivals.
Both teams face important games again this weekend. The Red Devils host direct rivals FC Arsenal (1.30pm) on Saturday in the race for the European Cup places. A day later, Liverpool host Everton FC in the Merseyside derby (17.30).
