It was an entertaining game of football that played out at Old Trafford, with Liverpool
The first half didn’t give the travelling support much to cheer about, with United going two goals up through Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. It looked like becoming a rather embarrassing edition of this famous rivalry.
Liverpool fans were quick to blame Arne Slot for the early struggles, but whatever he said at half-time galvanised the dressing room, with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo getting the visitors back level early in the second half.
But it was United who would come away 3-2 victors thanks to a decisive Kobbie Mainoo strike.
Are Liverpool’s top five hopes now in jeopardy after defeat to United?
Much better second-half, but not quite enough…
Liverpool player ratings vs Manchester United
Freddie Woodman – 5
The main talking point with Woodman will be the controversial Sesko goal, where he palmed it into the striker’s path. There wasn’t much he could do about it, though, and the first goal was a mean deflection off Alexis Mac Allister.
Curtis Jones – 6
Jones was at right-back again, and his work in possession helped Liverpool regain a foothold in the game. There were times when he was caught out of position as United attempted balls over the top, but a good performance on the whole.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
Konate had his hands full with Sesko, but he did well to limit the big Slovenian’s chances. Still, conceding three goals makes it hard to give a higher rating.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
Same can be said for Van Dijk. Thought he did well in dealing with the constant threat of counter-attacks, but allowed United too much freedom.
Andy Robertson – 5
With Milos Kerkez not fully fit, Robertson was in the starting lineup again. Standard enough performance that lacked attacking intent.
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Middle-of-the-road performance. Liverpool were dominated in the midfield in the first half, but reclaimed some authority in the second. Gravenberch made a couple of darting runs forward but to no avail.
Alexis Mac Allister – 3
Mac Allister was the biggest culprit for Liverpool, failing to get rid of the ball on two occasions leading up to goals for the home side. Two goals came from errors from the Argentinian, so he has to hold his hands up.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
The Liverpool man for the big occasion this season. Szoboszlai’s goal came from nothing, intercepting a pass in the United half and gliding past his man before slotting it calmly in the far corner. Unfortunately, he still ended up on the losing side.
Florian Wirtz – 5
Wirtz was in a free role for much of the afternoon, slipping into the pockets and getting a couple of glimpses at goal. Would have liked more from the German.
Jeremie Frimpong – 5
With Mohamed Salah out injured, Slot chose to give Frimpong the nod on the right flank. He stayed wide, offered an outlet, and looked to link up with Wirtz and Gakpo.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Gakpo’s impressive record against Man United continued this afternoon with a fifth goal in four starts against Liverpool’s bitter rivals. He’s silencing his critics more with every game.
How much better would Liverpool have been if they’d hired an interim manager in January❓🔄
Substitutions
Rio Ngumoha – 5
Ngumoha has to accept some of the blame for the decisive goal. He was only on the pitch a matter of minutes, but wasn’t alert to the danger of Luke Shaw’s run in behind.
Milos Kerkez – 5
Kerkez was fit enough for 30 mixed minutes at Old Trafford.
Federico Chiesa – N/A
No impact in final minutes.
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