Manchester United were only defeated 3-1 at Anfield but were left battered and bruised after the beating they suffered at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool.
Sadio Mane began the punishment in the 24th minute but his effort was cancelled out by Jesse Lingard nine minutes later courtesy of an error from Alisson.
United were clinging on in the hopes of salvaging a point but Liverpool’s relentless pressure paid off with second half substitute Xherdan Shaqiri firing twice in the 73rd and 80th minutes to seal a victory that took the Merseyside outfit back to the top of the Premier League.
Here’s a look at how Jose Mourinho fared in the tactical battle with Jurgen Klopp.
BASIC STATS
Goals – 1
Shots – 6
Possession – 36%
Tackles – 25
Dribbles – 8
30-SECOND REPORT
The crowd at Anfield, millions watching around the world, Liverpool’s players and even United’s all knew one thing for certain – Mourinho was about to park the bus.
Dress up his defensive tactics all you like but on this occasion there was nothing sophisticated about it. Apart from the front three, all of United’s outfield players were positioned on the edge of their own penalty area while even Lingard was also behind the ball.
The plan on the break? Hit it towards either Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford and hope for the best. Mid-table mentality at best.
Romelu Lukaku was isolated up front.
TACTICAL TALKING POINT
Low block
It’s one thing to employ a low block, but to be Manchester United and vacate the midfield entirely is just plain cowardice. Yes, Liverpool boast a fearsome frontline so to err on the side of caution is wise. However, Mourinho removed United’s competitive edge entirely.
When the hosts got hold of the ball, a defensive midfield duo of Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic sprinted away from the man on the ball to take up statuesque positions on the edge of their own box. That only invited Liverpool onto them.
United’s midfield were set up to defend and do nothing else.
VERDICT
One stat says it all – 36 attempts from Liverpool to United’s six. That’s the most shots United have faced in the Premier League. This was always only going to go one way and Mourinho’s archaic tactics did little to steer it otherwise.
Rating 2/10