Liverpool reclaimed the top spot on the Premier League table as the Reds came out on top against rivals Manchester United at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s men started on a high as Sadio Mane’s brilliant finish handed a very important lead for the hosts. However, Manchester United came back in the game when Romelu Lukaku’s low cross was spilt by Brazilian custodian, Alisson and Jese Lingard who was in close vicinity slotted home on the rebound.
It was turning out to be a frustrating affair for the Reds as United were cancelling most of their attack moves. In came Xherdan Shaqiri and scored a brace in this high voltage match, bagging all three points for Liverpool.
A game before which Mourinho had stated that trophies matter, this will be a huge blow for his side now, as they are 19 points behind the Merseyside club.
Too hot, too cold for Alisson
The Brazilian custodian came out with a save which was trmendous in all sense to deny Napoli forward Arkadiusz Milik and helped his team in progressing to the next round. Some of the critics went on to claiming him the best goalkeeper at the moment.
However it is not only the saves he brings to the table, but his exceptional distribution has also always been lauded. Some people also believed that he may come in between David De Gea and the best Premier League goalkeeper tag.
So it can be said it was a contest between two of Premier League’s finest. But the match where both could have been compared properly, the 26-year old came up with a howler which allowed Manchester United to restore parity in the game and could have been a turning for the Red Devils.
Although the brace from Super sub Shaqiri got the Brazilian out of jail. The incidents prove that he is also a human and among all those superhuman saves and blocks mistakes do happen and hope Alisson only gets better from here on.
Totally different approach from both sides reflects their current condition
Mourinho in his recent times has set the Manchester United side to put players behind the ball and hope to get deep in the game and in the final embers go for the kill and somehow manage something from the game.
The Red Devils has no intent in keeping possession and creating passes for the forward running players. It was trademark Mourinho strategy as the visitors never looked like the team come to Anfield to bag all three points.
However Liverpool on the other hand played like the league leaders as the Reds controlled possession most of the game. Klopp’s men ended their night with 65% possession and 36 shots on goal.
Liverpool had the intensity in the game for most of the time. Whereas Mourinho has been under the pump with his tactical awareness and defensive attitude even when the team is trailing. Mourinho’s squad which had a solid defensive structure last season has fallen off the cluff rapidly. Liverpool were relentless in capturing their rivals mistakes.
Super sub Xherdan Shaqiri changed the course of the game
He was brought on by Klopp to spice things up and considering his fiery form lately it was a safe bet for the German tactician. The Alpine Messi as they call it in his native country came on and the first goal came in three minutes of his coming on the pitch as the ball went in via two deflections.
Shaqiri’s explosive pace and trickery along with his knack of scoring goals have definitely made him a phenomenon which the Manchester United defence will remember for ever.
His second goal increased the lead for the Reds and the Mourinho’s men knew they have lost all the chance of coming back into the game again. The much speculative signing from Stoke City who was also touted as finished and an average player have proven his worth donning the red jersey of Liverpool.
The Reds finally break the Manchester United jinx
It has been coming since a long time but despite Manchester United’s condition in post-Ferguson, the all that the Red have faced is frustration and bad memories.
Although the jinx got broken today as it was Liverpool’s first league win over rivals Manchester United, at Anfield since September 2013, when Daniel Agger headed the winner in a 1-0 win. So this win means the world to the Liverpool supporters something whcih they dont get to appreciate and celebrate much often.
This was Klopp’s first win over Mourinho in the Premier League and with that he has won against all the other teams in the league he has faced. The win acts as an eye opener and a testament of the fact how far the club has come under the tenure of the German tactician. This can really be considered as Klopp’s one of the best days at Anfield as the Reds have now again secured the top spot in the Premier League table.
