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“Liverpool are here to take it.”
This morning I wrote about Gary Neville in a larger expert article. He was hinting at the rise of hyperbole from those who commented on football in recent months, but when it comes to his Manchester United narrative, it’s getting more far-fetched with every game.
Liverpool were there for the take, even when they fell for 20 minutes in the second half. Let’s define what has been a comment from Neville and José Mourinho like this and “the best team lost” in recent weeks. A team that comes to Anfield, wears a storm for 30 minutes, stays in a game, doesn’t really come out to win, and then relies on a start or two out of sheer second-half perseverance. Just a burst bubble.
Here are some post-match thoughts:
• United showed exactly why they are not coming and giving up all caution against Liverpool. For a home team that was fatigued the way they did, the last thing Liverpool needed was for Mason Greenwood to enter the field. It didn’t happen until the last five minutes. United proved that this is not a Liverpool team that has lost all aura as the best, their coach admitted after the game.
• The front three are not shooting. This is something that has gone beyond making the wrong decision in the last third. Jordan Henderson mentioned that Liverpool was unlucky in terms of rebounding, and while he’s right, luck is not a factor that is now a conscious obstacle when it comes to attacking Reds forwards.
• Henderson as a central defender shouldn’t be a problem for anyone. I was surprised how many were unhappy when the team went down. Losing him outside the midfield is something of a loss, but as a central defender he ensures that Liverpool have their players on the field. His long-range pass has yet to come to light, but he tried desperately in the first half to quickly launch attacks from deep. Something to keep in mind in the next games.
• Thiago Alcantara has been described as a problem solver by Liverpool’s coaching staff in recent months. Their five out of five matches showed us something more of a footballer that we are learning from every day. He was magnificent for Liverpool in the first thirty minutes.
• Are Liverpool’s substitutions too late? There are exceptions to taking Roberto Firmino out in the 84th minute, mainly due to the need to have him for defensive situations from set pieces. However, Xherdan Shaqiri looked almost finished in 60 minutes, and it is not the first time that he feels as if the first change has dragged him on his heels.
• Nothing is lost here. Yes, United will be the happier of the two teams tonight, but Liverpool are exactly where any team with title aspirations should be. They could have been further out of sight, but they are not. There are so many twists and turns in the upcoming season. Once scoring returns, Liverpool will make sure to be in a fight until the end. But now is the time for a cool head.
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