Liverpool kept their top-four hopes alive with an emphatic win over Manchester United. Many factors contributed to the Reds victory but there are a few that stands above all.
Thank God! Finally! The old rivalry didn’t disappoint much like the FA Cup showdown, which Man United won by the same scoreline.
This time, however, it is the former champions Liverpool who walk away proud winners in the duos final Premier League meeting of the season.
What happened in the 90 minutes of football?
Bruno Fernandes, who got the captain’s armband for the night, saw his early goal get cancelled out by Liverpool – Diago Jota smartly got on the end of a wild kick into the box by the quite involved, Nathaniel Phillips.
This all took place in the span of 15 minutes – between the 10th minute and 35th minute. Not even 10 minutes later and just before the halftime whistle, Liverpool turned the result in their favour and scored from another dead-ball situation.
Roberto Firmino, who has never scored a goal at The Theatre of Dreams, tucked away his first of the night to put the Reds up 1-2 in a place they struggle to score goals at. But how the first 45 minutes ended is much how the second half started, exactly the same.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were on the front foot for most of the game
Three games in six days for United was noticeable on the pitch and Liverpool didn’t show them any sympathy and capitalised on this. The Reds did, in fact, show their usual best when pressing high up the pitch – the reason for their third and early second-half goal.
This gave them a two-goal cushion and it was Bobby Firmino who got his second of the game. The next goal was and will always be important in a 3-1 ball game. Thankfully for all watching in it was Marcus Rashford for Manchester United who came to the party.
More from Liverpool FC
- “Dreadful” Liverpool defender was shunned for being “miles off” vs Wolves
- Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp’s agent FINALLY addresses rumours he’ll leave
- Liverpool will rival Manchester City for colossal Premier League defender
- Liverpool are advancing in talks to extend the contract of “top professional”
- Liverpool lose captain for a further game after ban extended for “abusive” language
His goal got the blood boiling of us all, 2-3, game on! Were the Reds going to stuff up another lead following Jota’s miscue that hit the upright – a goal that would have put the game to bed? Or was this the one time they were going to dig deep and put up a fight for Champions League football?
It was the latter. Ole Gunnar Solskjær called the Hail Mary play out of the playbook – and threw everything forward and left little protecting for Dean Henderson at the back. It was rather strange why the stopper was in his big box but United were playing with a high line.
The punisher Mohamed Salah made no mistake and hit them on the break. This was in the embers of the game, a time Liverpool’s crippled by injury defence loses focus and either shares the points with a late goal conceded or lose the tie altogether.
Salah had all the time in the world to angle his body, wait for the ball to slow down, pick his spot, and slot in the Reds fourth and final goal of the game – the final score 2-4 to the visitors.
What stood out about Liverpool and how did they win? There were many contributing factors but here are the really noteworthy ones.
Manchester United’s tiredness
To get this out the way early and reconfirm, United had a demanding task over the past six days. Football every second day for them was a strong reason they lost two of the three games played, beating only Aston Villa.
Scoring from set-pieces and open play
This one stands out above all. When last have you seen the Reds score from every half opportunity they produce? A goal came from a corner, a distant free-kick, a reward from ruthless pressing, and against the run of play.
A goal from every possible situation. That is what it takes to beat Man United and that it was it takes to stay in the running for a top-four spot.
Jurgen Klopp’s team selection and decision making
Everybody thought Klopp would switch Fabinho alongside Nat Phillips with Ozan Kabak sidelined – but the manager stuck Rhys Williams next to Nat and left Fabinho to boss the middle of the park and protect the backline.
Williams and Phillips must get credit for keeping a side filled with Rashford, Edinson Cavani, and Bruno limited to two goals – the two outplayed Cavani for most of the meeting. Not bad for a 20-year-old and a 24-year-old.
They went up against one of the most in-form strikers at this late stage. Added to Klopp’s brilliance, the right late decisions made by the manager worked to the T.
Don’t forget to vote – Who will win the top-four race?
Who will not finish the season in a top-four spot out of Leicester City (3rd 66 points); Chelsea (4th 64 points); Liverpool (5th 60 points + 1 game in hand)#EPL #CFC #LCFC #LFC
— The Top Flight (@TheTopFlightFS) May 13, 2021
Jota got the goal and Mane was effective when he was introduced in the second half. His substitution partner, Curtis Jones, got the assist for Salah.
The perfect adjustments at the right time for Klopp made the world of difference. Everything worked and it worked well for the Reds.
A great time to get a win at Old Trafford
What a time for Klopp to win his first game at Old Trafford. What a time for the Reds to come back and win their first game at the venue since 2014 when Brendan Rodgers was in charge.
What a time for Firimino to get back to scoring ways and score his first-ever goals at Old Trafford. It was his first in 12 Premier League games – there was no way of predicting he’d score a brace on the night.
They now sit in fifth in the Premier League standings. They are four points adrift from Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, who are in fourth place, and they are six points away from Leicester City, who are in third place.
Applying more pressure on the Blues and the Foxes? Liverpool have a game in hand and the pair, Chelsea and Leicester City play each other next week Tuesday night, May 18. That fixture alone must give the Reds all the power in this race.
They cannot afford to drop any points and must win every one of their last three games. They take a trip to West Brom, then Burnley, and then they welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield on the final day.
All-in-all… This is another fantastic and entertaining final stretch in the top-four race in the English Premier League.