Loris Karius believes the way Manchester United set up to defend should be taken as a compliment.
On Monday night, Liverpool hosted rivals Manchester United in a feisty but boring goalless draw at Anfield. The hosts were heavily dominant after managing to get over a 15-minute warming-up period.
With 65% possession, Liverpool dictated proceedings but Jose Mourinho set up his side in a way which didn’t allow for the Reds to play openly. Had United played a more positive game, Jurgen Klopp’s team of energiser bunnies would have torn them apart.
After the game, Mourinho came in for a lot of criticism for his tactics but it can be said that if he had decided to play open, expansive football his side would have been blown away just like Arsenal, Leicester and Hull were.
Loris Karius agrees with me and believes that Liverpool should really take United’s wary approach as a compliment.
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“We knew we had to be patient because it was going to be tough,” he told Goal.
“United maybe waited for the one chance to get a goal, as obviously, their priority was to stop our play, our attacks.
“They know we’re a really strong team, so that’s a compliment for us.
“Second half, we managed better to get through, but United defended well with De Gea making top saves.”
David De Gea was on top form to keep out an angled effort from Emre Can as well as making an otherworldly stop to thwart Philippe Coutinho’s 30-yard strike.
Commenting on that save, Karius added, “It was a really good, strong stop which was unfortunate because he was the opponent, and I would’ve much rather seen it go in, but credit to him, it was impressive.
“He’s enjoyed great development over the last few years and you can just see he gets better and better.
“He’s right up there among the very best in the world, playing at a consistently high level and is a top goalkeeper.”
Liverpool remain fourth in the league and are still two points behind the league leaders, although, Chelsea has made ground on Liverpool and are just one point behind the Merseysiders.
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