Five Key Talking Points: Manchester United vs Liverpool

When two giants collide, tremors are felt across the globe. With 38 English League titles worth of trophies and more importantly, the pride and bragging rights at stakes, sparks are supposed to fly. The titanic clash of the Barclays Premier League, the showdown between the two traditional arch-rivals and pillars of the English Football, Manchester United and Liverpool.

This season was no exception as both sets of fans were, almost violently, rooting for their team to win the match. Tactically, a derby win at such an early part of the season can set the tempo of the team and is a much needed moral and mental tonic for the winning team given the gravity and pressure of the match and situation.

Manchester United and Liverpool met at the Old Trafford first for a second season running. We bring to you the five key talking points from the match.

Fellaini as No. 9?

It’s been a no brainer that Louis van Gaal prefers using Fellaini as a frontline man for the physical presence and aerial domination he brings to the team’s attack and it looks a decent bet as long as United faces teams with less physicality, with constant regular crosses hoiked into the box in search of his afro-head. However, Fellaini is not a No.9. He hasn’t been trained as a front striker and therefore he doesn’t possess the natural poacher’s instinct and anticipation of a striker and it was pretty much evident in the first half when he couldn’t even predict the direction of the cross and hence couldn’t synchronize his movements in response for Damian’s, Memphis’, Mata’s and Shaw’s crosses.

Or should we say “character”?

With Coutinho suspended and Henderson out injured, Rodgers had to form a team with two of his best players out of the selection process. He chose a defensive team with the intentions of holding out United and earn 1 point at Old Trafford. Coming with such a negative mentality in such a high octane match proved decisive and fatal for Liverpool.

It was evident in the first half itself that Liverpool were not in the right frame of mind as they lost the ball several times, many times in defence as well, and invited the pressure from United. Ings, Liverpool striker, was in his own side for majority of the first half and Christian Benteke cut a lone figure at the top in the first half.
In the second half, Liverpool didn’t arrive to the game until Blind (who had an outstanding match) fired home a Juan Mata free-kick just after half-time.

The negativity in Liverpool’s play came back to haunt them as they slipped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat.

Firmino had a really bad game.

Wasn’t giving much in attack. Almost anonymous. Like Ings, he spent the majority of the first half in his own side doing nothing. The Brazilian had a torrid time coping against the likes of Depay and Shaw as they continuously pestered him whenever he was in possession and never gave him any opportunity to split their defense. Was substituted in second half and aptly so.

Debutants shine

Anthony Martial ripped open the Liverpool defence before slotting it coolly in the bottom left corner past a hapless Mignolet with an exquisite finish. A No. 9 worthy goal and to score such a sublime goal in a debut, under so much speculation and spotlight over you adds an extra dimension to the whole scenario. Martial answered his doubters why is he worth the money, Manchester United payed for him. A breath-taking run and an emphatic finish charmed the Old Trafford crowd and will surely grab the headlines.

It was not only Anthony Martial making his debut, coming off the bench. David de Gea started his second innings in Manchester with a couple of sharp saves and brilliant shot-stopping ability. Was not up to the mark while distributing the ball when received a pass, but kept Liverpool out of the game, saving a couple of brilliant strikes whenever called into action. Must be gutted not to secure a clean-sheet but he could’ve done nothing to save the Benteke’s belter.

Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian are two excellent wing-backs for Manchester United. They are the yin-yang of football. On one hand, Luke Shaw is pacey, aggressive and more attacking minded with a great crossing ability. And Matteo Darmian is a typical Italian defender- calm, composed, a brilliant tackler and performs his defensive duties to perfection. The combination of these two in both the wings completely overpowered Liverpool as they didn’t know how to cope up with Young-Shaw combination in the second half while Darmian always provided cover in defense in his flank while also making some intelligent runs forward.