Patrick Rees
Match Report: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
Yet another game, yet another draw at Anfield. Having won just one game against Jurgen Klopp in his managerial career, a lot was expected of Jose Mourinho’s men prior to their trip to Anfield. With Liverpool shipping goals as anything and United scoring freely, many believed it would be a one-sided contest. But everything went down the drain as it was actually Liverpool who came out as the best among the two.
Anfield is simply one of the toughest grounds to play at and United have learned it the hard way since last season. Speaking ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho had explained he would deploy a different tactic and he indeed stationed a 3-at-the-back formation with Smalling, Jones and Darmian being his last defensive regime. Well, it showed 3-at-the-back on papers, but the reality was something else. With Liverpool getting on United’s nerves, only Lukaku remained United’s attacking outlay while the others were spotted at the back, defending.
And then again, had it not been for David de Gea, United would have been down quite early. Surprisingly, it was Liverpool’s centre-back Joel Matip who the Spaniard stopped. Roberto Firmino delivered a low pass just in front of goal and Matip connected it perfectly well but didn’t realise who was standing between the sticks. From literally the point-blank range, De Gea made what can be described as the save of the season. Talking numbers, United only managed one shot on target during the entire game.
A quick one-two between the attackers released Romelu Lukaku and the Belgian registered his first shot on target against Liverpool in five of his past seven meetings against the Reds, only to be denied by his compatriot Simon Mignolet. United remained on the back foot for the entirety of the game and luckily managed a draw. Manchester City, meanwhile, scored 7 goals against Stoke City and with that being done, United now occupy second spot on the Premier League log.
Having said that, this is how the fans reacted to game:
what a boring game.
— Cameron (@Adept_TD) October 14, 2017
We missed Mata and dare I say…. LvG.
— Mohammed Rahil (@m7mdrahil) October 14, 2017
LVG was in the stands….where he belongs.
— not_a_number (@Official_Antony) October 14, 2017
I’m sorry but if this is how we are going to play against Chelsea, Arsenal, Man City and Tottenham away then forget the League tbh
— Steven (@OneFootValencia) October 14, 2017
Play like United not Derby County
— Vraj (@Simeonesta) October 14, 2017
Why is mourinho so addicted to defending against big teams
— Kent Edwards (@KentEdwards5) October 14, 2017
All week making the #JuanField propaganda, and Mou doesn’t even play him ffs…
— 🐻 Juan 🐻 (@JuanD310) October 14, 2017
Me During the match…. pic.twitter.com/my59QOqZah
— MS. (@KiingMessi) October 14, 2017
Disgusting performance
— Salman (@UtdSalman) October 14, 2017
this is the weakest liverpool side i’ve seen in years and yet we decide to park the bus against them !#MourinhoOut
— Abdullah Al-Awadhi (@A_AlAwadhi81) October 14, 2017
Look Man Utd is playing at Anfield!!@LFC @premierleague pic.twitter.com/fURYYY7Bh5
— George Knows (@canadian_george) October 14, 2017
Our first big game and we underperformed. Can’t see lifting #PL title if this result continues against big boys
— Sandeep Lohani (@Sred_devilzz) October 14, 2017
