When two of the most successful teams of Premier league meet you expect fireworks. When two of the fiercest rivals meet on field a lot is expected but when it ends 0-0 what does one do.
Given the red hot form Liverpool have been under Klopp it was supposed to be a goal feast but alas it turned out to be a typical Jose Mourinho masterclass. The man whom they call anti football just put up another of his much renowned defensive display which saw United having only 34% of the ball, the lowest ever. Jose doesn’t believe much in possession football for he is the same guy who won a Champions League with Inter having only 26% of the ball in the final against Bayern Munich.
The match
Surprisingly United started the better of the two sides with pressing Liverpool high in the field and Liverpool just passing the ball sideways when in possession, it was a kind of role reversal for its normally the other way round. But as the match progressed Manchester United just started to play deeper inviting Liverpool and they grew into the game.
And in the second half it was all Liverpool but the first best chance of the match came for United when Pogba crossed a brilliant ball in the box only for Zlatan to head it across the face of the goal very unlike him, he would have buried that ball in the back of the net 9 out of 10 times but then he has a dismal record against the Reds he has not scored or assisted in any if the match he has played against them and the dry run still continues.
On the other side Liverpool had two glorious chances and should have taken the lead only for David de Gea to come in between just to show why he has been Manchester United player of the year for three years running now. First was a low shot by Emre Can from inside the penalty box, the second was a Coutinho 25 yard screamer which he dealt with both hands even Coutinho couldn’t believe how De Gea saved that.
The entire second half saw Liverpool pressing and United defending.
Verdict
Though for some the match will be the most disappointed United Liverpool match ever but tactically Jose Mourinho will be the happy one. He had come to Anfield with the motive of not losing, his team selection for the match playing Fellaini and Young was part of the strategy and they executed it to perfection.
Klopp would be frustrated with the result for the free flowing goal scoring Liverpool were held at home. A win would have seen them top of the table.
Though it may seem anti football but Jose Mourinho is back to playing his way of football. He tried other methods for the first few matches but to no avail. Once his team returns to full fitness he will apply the same approach as he has be doing it successfully wherever he has played. Park the bus and score on counter in big matches. United fans may no like the approach but if results start to come in I don’t think anyone will complain.
For Klopp his side is surely the team to watch out for, they are fast they are furious but this match will be a lesson for him as well that it will not be easy to beat a defensive team with speed for which he needs to further evolve his approach.