Find the basics, find confidence, and find purpose.
Things can go fast in football, just ask Erik ten Hag and Jürgen Klopp.
For the first time, the Manchester United manager got it right, while his colleague got it wrong completely unusually.
Liverpool don’t look shaky often. Above all, it happened at Old Trafford a long time ago.
Before kick-off on Monday, the mood among the former Man United champions was volatile. On the pitch, there was a pure hug when sitting on the bench Cristiano Ronaldo decided to steal the spotlight amid the front of rights holder Sky. Roy Keane almost looked awkward as the Portuguese fell into his arms after cuddling Gary Neville in front of the cameras.
Shortly thereafter, Kane wrapped his arms around Casemiro and exchanged a short dialogue with Brass. The price United paid to lure the player from Madrid to Manchester is, of course, exorbitant. However, no one in the midst of a crisis can think well all the time – and frankly, it’s been too long since the club has been able to come up with a better option in a defensive midfield.
But not tonight. Casemiro sat in the stands as his new team-mates descended into a packed home stadium to face Jürgen Klopp Liverpool. Kane and Neville must have swallowed hard at that moment, wondering if they should have witnessed another stinging humiliation.
show the heart
This was not the case. Free of Ronaldo partly means Bruno Fernandes is already as brilliant as he did in the old days. Essentially, Man United acted as a team for the first time this season. Players entered duels aggressively, showing their hearts and forcing opponents to retreat.
Anthony Elanga He had a chance right from the start on the left and didn’t hesitate to challenge right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. The first hot stance of the match was attributed to the Swede when Scott McTominay broke the ball high and sent a superb pass to Fernandes. The Portuguese passed on both sides of it, and the end of Ilanga slammed into the post with an uproar.
Obviously, Manchester United’s enthusiastic start has boosted confidence. Therefore, the shock was not complete when Lisandro Martinez – who certainly wanted to show that his height of 175 cm is more than enough for the center back – hit the pass that became the start of the main goal. Anthony Ilanga received the ball on the edge, played Christian Eriksen and made a pass into the penalty area.
Jadon Sancho seemed to have endless time to aim before he scored United’s most important goal so far in 2022. The heated exchange that followed between James Milner and Virgil van Dijk testified to Liverpool’s inability to strike a balance.
Klopp must repent
In the past, Klopp should have bitterly regretted his choice. The bench for Fabinho Jordan Henderson It felt weird early on and even weird in hindsight. At one point, Henderson went down and searched and searched for a location to put the ball into the rear. The run he sought did not come from the frontline.
Surprisingly, it was Eric Ten Hag who decided to make a change right after the break. Anthony Ilanga is sacrificed for another Anthony, Martial. However, Rashford moved to the left, which proved to be a fortunate move as the substitute quickly shot the ball forward to the England player who fired 2-0 after 997 minutes without goals. Rashford’s run was perfect but the VAR review that followed felt like hours.
United wanted more
Liverpool is of course still Liverpool, with or without injured Thiago or suspended Darwin Nunez. Fabinho finally came, the away team faced periods of pressure and Mohamed Salah headed a header ten minutes before the end of the match. But if Brentford wants the final round, Man United are the team that showed the most advanced spirit tonight.
Shocked, was the word. It may have been the first time in a long time at Old Trafford, but Liverpool’s players looked cut short even in the opening game against newcomers Fulham. The club that should be the only one capable of seriously challenging Manchester City for the title stands after three rounds of two points and a few less impressive efforts. In terms of ambition, it does not bode well.
