LFC Toronto Match Review: Man United 2 – Liverpool FC 1

In this biggest clash in the English Premier League calendar, it says it all when during the first half, midfielder James Milner was at times the most upfront player for Liverpool while Number 9 Bobby Firmino was found deep in midfield playing defence just in front of the back line. 

The Reds were often missing their usual composure, unable to get into the groove with sloppy passing and easily giving up possession. A world away from the emphatic 0-5 of last season.

So far, it has been two draws and one defeat for Liverpool who are still in search of their first win of the new campaign. That defeat still happens to be the first one in the league since last December but it was against the most bitter rivals. Of course, that’s what hurts the when most, especially with the manner it came about.

Man Utd fired an early warning shot with Anthony Elanga hitting the woodwork on the 10th minute and so, it was not really a surprise Jadon Sancho opened the score a few minutes later. In fact, the surprise was the normally imperious Virgil Van Dijk inexplicably not closing in on Sancho who could practically shoot from inside the penalty box at his own leisure.

Although Liverpool looked to be inching back to their more normal self after that, captain Jordan Henderson uncharacteristically gave away the ball in midfield to Anthony Martial who then teed up Marcus Rashford for a one-on-one with Alisson Becker. 

The England striker did not miss, putting Man Utd two nil up on the 53rd minute. By then, it was already a tall order for Liverpool to get anything from this match.

Substitute Fabio Carvalho should be given credit for all his efforts since stepping on the pitch. One of his shots, parried by David de Gea, enabled Mohamed Salah to reduce the deficit. However, the grandstand finish which Liverpool supporters were hoping for at that point, just did not happen.

Last week, the main Premier League news was about new Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag losing his first two league matches against Brighton and Brentford, resulting in his side being at the bottom of the table. By clinching his first win against Liverpool, the Dutchman has now given the Glazer family some respite from the discontent of his club’s supporters.

This week, it won’t be surprising if the spotlight swiftly switches onto Jurgen Klopp still searching for a first win in the new league campaign. There are frequent talks about the extensive list of injuries in the Liverpool side. 

Last season, the Reds bench was often said to boast enough quality to make up the core of an additional top side. This season, the bench is anything but, with a big chunk of those top quality unfortunately now in the treatment room.

Could it be that some players on the pitch are subconsciously managing themselves from going flat out for fear of adding themselves to the injury list?

It should also be borne in mind that Liverpool played the maximum possible 63 games last season, in search of that elusive quadruple and it could very well be we are now seeing the consequences of that grueling campaign.

All of this is bringing flashbacks of that dreadful period of January to March 2021 when Liverpool was equally ravaged by injury and practically not their normal self on the pitch. 

In the middle of all that, Liverpool fans had put a banner outside Anfield: “Jurgen Klopp YNWA”, reassuring the German that the believers still abounded. Today, after only 3 games in the new season, it would be foolhardy to be otherwise.

Mike Chun
YNWA