Manchester United and Liverpool’s match on Sunday ended in a stalemate but with so many talking points to digest, we’ve enlisted the help of FanSided’s Rush The Kop, to get a Liverpool perspective on the game.
Answering the questions are Rush The Kop’s David Gate and Red Devil Armada’s Ollie Slack.
Question 1
Going into the match what were your thoughts? How big a game was it for your season?
Rush The Kop: This game is always huge but took on more significance as the biggest away game left on our schedule. Knowing we could go back to the top of the league at the end of the day added another layer of nerves.
Red Devil Armada: It’s the biggest game of any season. Manchester United versus Liverpool is the first one you look for when the fixture list comes out in the summer. However, in terms of impact on United’s season, it didn’t matter too much. Yes, a win would obviously keep them in the top four but with so many games left and so little points between the three clubs in the run-in, it wasn’t crucial.
Question 2
Liverpool start really well and are knocking on the door, what are your thoughts?
Red Devil Armada: A little nervous. Although, nothing different from what I expected. Liverpool always raise their game against Manchester United, but baring in mind David de Gea was not being tested at all meant I wasn’t too worried. In fact, I was more concerned about what was going on up the other end. Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata hadn’t seemed to click and tested Liverpool with a counter-attack.
Question 3
United lose three men due to injury in the first half, do you buy Klopp’s comments that this disrupted your game?
Rush The Kop: I had been saying before the game that the United injuries (Martial, Lingard, Matic) wouldn’t necessarily help us. We are best when teams come at us and leave the opportunity to counter-attack. There are few teams in the world that can cope with our front three on a fast break. I thought the United lineup was more defensive because of those injuries and even more so after Rashford picked up his knock. There was no pace for you to counter-attack and the game fizzled out.
Red Devil Armada: I can understand why Klopp said it, because naturally, it would make you think differently about your approach and tactics in the game, however, to use it as a viable excuse was a step too far for me. Liverpool had a chance to finish United whilst they were weak, instead, they let them get back up and carry on the fight.
The game went flat in the second half and United dominated for parts, as a Liverpool fan were you nervous? United fan, excited?
Rush The Kop: The only nervous moment was the Alisson save from Lingard. Liverpool didn’t create anything in the second half and a lot of fans were unhappy with the subs. I thought we defended excellently throughout which you would expect with so many of United’s attackers missing. It was a better result for you than us.
Red Devil Armada: Alisson’s save from Lingard, Smalling’s offside goal and Smalling’s late chance. United created the better chances throughout the match and really stepped it up in the second half. The crowd got behind them and Liverpool fans must have been sweating a little.
Question 5
How big an opportunity missed was it for both sides?
Rush The Kop: I can’t be too downcast with a draw at Old Trafford and being top of the league. However, we have a much better side than United this year and should have capitalized on those injuries. In any other season, it would be a very good result. However, Man City are a machine and the reigning champions. Every game is a cup final from here on out.
Red Devil Armada: Liverpool can feel they missed a real opportunity to beat Manchester United, especially with the injuries. What a chance it was to make a statement to Man City that they are going to fight until the last in order to win this title. I still feel it was an opportunity missed for United though, more so in the second half. Liverpool were not on their game and it would have been great to have a real go at them without full strength side.