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Manchester United players looked dejected at Anfield in January last year, but have closed the gap significantly in just 12 months.
On Manchester United’s last visit to Liverpool almost a year ago, the day they fought a miserable retirement from Anfield after a loss that left them 30 points behind the team that would become champions.
It was a 2-0 loss, but Manchester United were lucky to escape further embarrassment and seemed light years away from the drift of Liverpool, who even had a game on their hands at the time, when measured in performance and progression.
The idea that they could contemplate the possibility of winning the Premier League in the short term, or even feature in the conversation, was a fantastic thing.
This 0-0 draw, those 12 months later, meant United remained at the top of the table, three points ahead of Liverpool at the final whistle.
Manchester United were 30 points behind Liverpool after the two teams met at Anfield in the Premier League last season.
United are still an odd team, one that almost fights for its full identity, but a look at this performance and the statistics placed alongside it show that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can be satisfied with the progress of the year in the context of the Premier League.
Yes, there were contributing factors, but simply seeing United on top and leaving Anfield with no harm inflicted will bolster confidence and self-confidence for the defining months to come.
Those factors were that they didn’t have to deal with a full-on Anfield that normally reserves its greatest hostility for any visitor to Old Trafford. Liverpool are feeling the injuries that have hit them this season and a team that couldn’t stop scoring have suddenly hit their worst league streak since February and March 2005, failing to score in their last three games.
Klopp praises Liverpool’s performance despite draw
Indeed, viewed like this, you could almost qualify this as a missed opportunity for United and Solskjaer, especially as Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was the hero with two vital saves in the second half by Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba as they finished the game a lot. stronger and looking away. more likely to win.
However, according to current calculations, the top of the table after a visit to Liverpool will be a result that Solksjaer will accept. He certainly would have taken it 12 months ago after this very match.
Solskjaer and his players were disappointed that they did not claim those three points at the final whistle, a realistic reflection on events and a sign that United are moving in the right direction.
There are still questions to be answered, putting aside their lousy exit from the Champions League in the group stage, but it’s hard to be too critical of a team at the top of the table.
At first, United seemed keen not to lose, either that or they didn’t have the courage of their convictions, as Liverpool established absolute dominance in the first half, albeit one that led to nothing substantial.
As the game progressed, United, who have not lost in 16 Premier League matches away from Old Trafford, came out of their shell and Pogba was suitably mortified when he saw his effort at close range blocked by the brilliant Alisson at the end. .
United have a record of losses that matter under Solskjaer (four semi-final losses serve as a testament to that), so a win here would have been a huge statement.
It didn’t come and those questions will remain until United can prove they are winners, but Solskjaer has a lot to build on in this highly unpredictable season.
And it was achieved with the normally influential Fernandes out of his game, despite nearly scoring twice. The radar was not good and when it was withdrawn in the final minutes it was not well received by the Portuguese talisman.
United’s heroes were elsewhere in the form of captain Harry Maguire and left-back Luke Shaw, the latter absolutely outstanding and a comfortable winner from his personal battle with Mohamed Salah.
The table confirms that United have a chance to win the title this season. They must seize this opportunity and show greater ambition and daring than with the spells here.
As for Liverpool, they are a long way from the team that made their way into the Premier League to claim their first title in 30 years last season.
Much of the debate over Liverpool’s injury problems has understandably centered on defenders Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk. Those absences, along with Joel Matip here, have left important influences in midfield, Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson, manning the barricades at the rear.
Solskjaer disappointed by ‘missed opportunity’ to win at Anfield
However, the injury that currently appears to cause the most damage is that of forward Diogo Jota, who started his Liverpool career with a burst of goals only to suffer a serious knee injury at Midtjylland in a Champions League tie in Denmark.
Jota looked like an inspired £ 45m buyout from Wolverhampton Wanderers and how he has been missed when the golden trio of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Salah have been through a barren period.
The Portuguese forward was providing Liverpool with an offensive ‘X Factor’, as well as an option to rest the big three.
Firmino was so poor here that he was withdrawn with six minutes remaining and replaced by Divock Origi, despite Liverpool desperately needing a goal. He couldn’t have a word of complaint.
The deciding goal could not be found and there was an air of dissatisfaction surrounding both coaches as they conducted their post-match investigations.
Manchester United will be happier, but how happy this result should make them will only become apparent in the weeks ahead.
What cannot be argued is that Manchester United and Solskjaer are in much better shape than when their team’s coach left for Anfield Road last January.
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Source: bbc.com
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