Solskjaer claims Manchester United stars created own downfall in Liverpool defeat
Speaking after the game (h/t Express), Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed his players for creating their own downfall in the 2-4 defaet to Liverpool.
Manchester United made a bright start as Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring just ten minutes in via a deflection off Nat Phillips. However, the team failed to build on that and allowed Liverpool room to grow with Diogo Jota making it 1-1 with a fine flick after United failed to clear the ball.
On the cusp of half-time, Liverpool were a goal ahead with Roberto Firmino heading home after beating his marker, Paul Pogba. The Brazilian then made it 1-3 early in the second half after a serious defensive mishap involving several Manchester United stars.
Marcus Rashford scored to offer some hope of a comeback, but it was not to be as Mohamed Salah rounded off the win late on with a counterattacking goal.
Speaking after the game, Solskjaer conceded that his players were the ones to blame for the defeat as they kept coming short in key moments. (h/t Express)
“They deserved the win. We conceded goals in key moments of the game. We gave them at least two goals really. Then we scored again, had a massive chance… Key moments went against us. Their shape and their pressing is very aggressive. We created our own downfall.
“The second goal you probably expect no foul there then it’s a bad moment to concede just before half time. The third goal we gave them and that’s really poor.”
Harry Maguire’s absence felt
Solskjaer also accepted that not having Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire on the field hurt the team. Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly were all over the place while Luke Shaw also struggled against Liverpool.
“Harry has been really important for us so of course we’re going to miss him but he’s out so we have to deal with that.”
Maguire picked up an injury in the weekend win against Aston Villa and was pictured walking with crutches at Old Trafford on Thursday.
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Back-to-back defeats with the Europa League final only a couple of weeks away is far from ideal preparation. Hopefully, Solskjaer & co. are able to recover quickly from this humbling loss.
