Liverpool were disappointed after conceding their second goal to Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
Liverpool suffered a huge blow as they lost 3-2 to bitter rivals Manchester United in their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
United took the lead when Matheus Cunha deflected a shot from the edge of the area, which sailed past Freddie Woodman and into the Liverpool goal. Benjamin Sesco continued the Red Devils’ excellent start with a second goal from close range after a lengthy VAR check.
Dominik Szoboszlai made a good second-half run through United’s midfield to score, before goalkeeper Senne Ramens lost his concentration and Szoboszlai darted out to set up Kodi Gakpo’s goal for the equalizer, before Koby Mainu pounced on the edge of the box to give United the win.
Here Express Sport rates the Liverpool team…
Liverpool player rating vs Manchester United (4-3-3)
He continued to deputize for the injured Alisson and Giorgi Mamadashvili, but needed a stronger hand to prevent Sesco from doubling United’s lead. Made several saves to prevent further damage.
He still looks unnatural as a right-back, and struggled against Cunha. We need to move him back into midfield in place of Mac Allister.
Unable to contain United’s four attacking players.
They were supposed to be Liverpool’s last leader, but they were all at sea and some poor clearances by their captains did little to help their cause.
A poorly defended header from a corner gave Cunha the lead, but he had to put more effort at the back post and was beaten by Bruno Fernandes, who set up Sesco’s finish. I was hooked after an hour.
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Fernandes was able to miss the game, but he was unable to provide the needed shield to Liverpool’s back four.
He was unlucky to miss Cunha’s goal in the opening minutes, but he was defeated in a battle between Mainu and Casemiro in the midfield, and his pitiful clearance directly led to Mainu’s winning goal.
Andy Robertson struggled in Liverpool’s final match against Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
He is one of the few players who can play full-time for Liverpool. He was active off the ball in the first half, and in the second he tore through United’s midfield, finishing past Lamence with smart finishes. Not content with that, he set up Gakpo with exquisite touches in front of the goal, allowing Gakpo to score the equalizer and fire numerous shots into the box.
Slott was reluctant to use him at right-back, and Frimpong was ineffective up front. It becomes a problem.
Despite not having a natural No. 9 in the starting lineup, he played wide, but was unable to outpace Dalot. Perhaps he should have provided a focal point in midfield and enjoyed great success, as he did for his country. Szoboszlai scored the goal in front of the goal.
He played centrally alongside Szoboszlai in a strikerless system, but it backfired. He received a knock after 33 minutes, but the German was unable to get onto the ball in a dangerous position due to Casemiro’s good marshalling.
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He came on as a substitute for the struggling Robertson, but at the crucial moment he hit the back post and mistimed his jump, losing to Amado, whose ball ultimately led to Mainu’s second-half goal.
He came on in place of Frimpong and showed a lot of spark, and had a chance to score, but it went wide.
Federico Chiesa (87′) – N/A
