Manchester United v Liverpool, Premier League, 14 Oct 17 - Match Preview
543 views · Published 10 October 2017 · 5:08 · Indexed 12 November 2026
Channel: Life The Basic Manual · 2017 · Sports
POST GAME REVIEW Groundhog day. Twelve months, ago Jose Mourinho was justifiably criticised for " parking the bus" at Anfield to eek out a dour 0-0 draw and this lunchtime he did exactly the same to leave Liverpool and their fans cursing their fortune having completely dominated the game for the second successive year. Master tactician he may be but this lack-luster performance with only one shot on goal has reminded all United fans of the pedigree of their boss who will probably be more than happy with the point which keeps Klopp's team seven points in arrears. As was predicted it took little time for the hosts to grab control with Muhamed Saleh inspirational as he teased and tormented the bemused Matteo Darmian brought in on the left with Ashley Young pushed forward in a side forced by injuries to shuffle the pack. An astonishing save with his outstretched leg by David de Gea from Matip ensured the visitors would change round on level terms and it could have been even better had not the isolated and at times frustrated Romelu Lukaku taken his one golden chance of the game but his shot was beaten away and that was effectively the end of the threat of an improbable away win. Attacking the Kop end after the break, Liverpool stepped up the pressure even more and only desperate defending and some lucky escapes stopped them from achieving a rare win against their bitterest rivals. Marcus Rashford for the under-par Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard coming on for Henrikh Mkhitaryan failed to inspire another late finish as the Premiership lead lasted only a couple of hours as rampant Manchester City recorded another Etihad goal glut to take a daunting two-point lead, with Spurs closing in behind. The biggest disappointment was the way the Old Trafford Reds were hustled and harried out of their game, with passes going astray and little or no conviction on the ball particularly in their opponents' half. ***** So here we go - its the big one! After the World Cup qualifiers, its back to Premiership action and they don't come any bigger than Liverpool v Manchester United at Anfield and we all know we can expect a warm reception there. Well actually make that a white hot one with no holds barred. Jose Mourinho will know exactly what to expect as Jurgen Klopp will demand an all-out assault from his fired-up side led by their four-man attack of Mane, Coutinho, Fermino and new boy Salah. These lads are no slouches and have terrific pace and skill in tight areas and our back line will have to be strong and disciplined similar to how we were last year in emerging with a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Liverpool has had a mixed start to the campaign losing heavily to Manchester City but thrashing Arsenal and recently drawing in Europe as well as in the league. But for them, this is the ultimate test and Matic and Herrera will have to be at their most combative to stem the tide. If the initial barrage can be contained, United have the firepower to punish the Merseysiders with Valencia and Rashford driving down the flanks and Romelu Lukaku - ex Everton and about as popular as Rooney was there - ready to pounce against a defense not really settled yet with changes in personnel. If Jose has done his homework again and there are no careless losses of concentration especially early on we should be able to come away with at least a point. And if the openings present themselves it could be a happy drive back down the M62 having opened an even bigger gap between ourselves and our fiercest rivals.
