Last weekend was a joyous one for Liverpool fans. Manchester City dropped yet more points whilst The Reds swept Manchester United aside at Anfield. Jürgen Klopp was right to keep Takumi Minamino on the bench against Man United.
Whilst the weekend clash finished 2-0, the scoreline flattered Manchester United.
The visitors barely had a sniff all game and they hopelessly squandered their chances.
The Reds were unlucky to go in at half time just one goal ahead.
Virgil van Dijk had given the hosts the lead with a towering header after 13 minutes.
Roberto Firmino doubled the lead shortly after but the goal was disallowed by VAR for a foul on David de Gea. Ex-Premier League referee Peter Walton disagreed with the call.
Gini Wijnaldum also bagged a goal but was denied by a close offside decision.
The Reds didn’t bag their second until Mo Salah slid one past the United keeper deep into injury time.
Around the hour mark Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought off for Adam Lallana. With ten minutes remaining Fabinho and Divock Origi came on for Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino.
Jürgen Klopp was right to keep Takumi Minamino on the bench. Whilst some Kopites were clamouring for his introduction due to his work rate, this wasn’t the right time.
The Japanese forward is a pest when out of possession and that is what we needed yesterday, however, he couldn’t possibly be up to speed with your pressing system yet.
Out of possession The Reds have become a machine. Every man knows his duties and the triggers for him to press.
If one man breaks from this machine then it can open up gaps. Whilst Takumi Minamino is a hard worker, he needs to completely nail down how we play without the ball before he can be blooded in the league.
With just one goal in it, it would have been too big of a risk to bring on the January signing. He will have to bide his time or Liverpool will have to score more goals.
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