In their first clash in European competitions, Liverpool bounced their fiercest rivals, Manchester United, from the Europa League and advanced to the quarter-finals.
In another first, Liverpool’s draw 1-1 at Old Trafford also signaled United’s first elimination in European competition against an English side.
For most of the first half, it looked like Liverpool might be feeling some nerves. The Reds committed errors all over the pitch, putting themselves into trouble on a number of occasions.
Across the midfield, Liverpool struggled to get a grip on the match. The pairing of Emre Can and Jordan Henderson appeared shaky and off. Philippe Coutinho, in particular, struggled to hang onto the ball.
Everyone gave the ball away cheaply. Pressure mounted when a poor decision by Nathaniel Clyne resulted in a penalty and a United 1-0 lead. Then the Reds swelled rather than shrank and the nerves quickly faded and Liverpool finished them in the final seconds of the first half.
Here are four findings from the match.
Coutinho’s Class
After a very dodgy start, the little Brazilian redeemed himself and more. After coughing up the ball that eventually led to the penalty, Coutinho gave the impression of one of those games where nothing he hit was likely to go in.
Then, in the dying seconds of the half, he raced down the left side toward the near post and flayed David de Gea, cooly scooping the ball over the onrushing keeper from a very acute angle. Any hopes United had after taking the lead were effectively snuffed.
In the second half, Coutinho seemed on a mission to challenge De Gea for another. Repeatedly, he lashed shots toward goal. Yet, his scintillating run just after the hour mark, where he slalomed down the middle of pitch, leaving multiple United defenders in his wake, but could not quite finish it kind of summed up his evening. One moment of sheer brilliance amidst a number of near brilliant moments.
Colossus Can
Another player that needed to grow into the match, once the German found his way he became immense. It was Can that released Coutinho for the equaliser. It was Can that found Coutinho with a clever back heel in the box that should have given Coutinho another. By the second half, he bossed the midfield.
It was not just picking passes in attack, however. Defensively, he put in another all-action performance cutting out passes, clearing lines, and tackling with much-needed aggression. For a time, Can shadowed Marouane Fellaini and neutralised the Belgian. Often it was his tackle or interception that sparked a Liverpool surge that ended with a chance.
The youngster resumed his rapid maturation and continues to validate all the faith Jurgen Klopp keeps investing in the midfielder. His poise and technique are unmistakable, but his understanding and decision-making improves with almost every match.
Sensational Sakho
While it was Coutinho’s goal that ended the tie, Mamadou Sakho’s man-of-the-match performance announced that he has finally regained his form after returning from injury. The big Frenchman proved a mountain in front of Liverpool’s goal. Together with Dejan Lovren, the once porous middle defence, sees two centre-halves complementing one another and growing solid.
Sakho’s physical presence matched Fellaini’s in the box and he continues to be one of the reasons why Liverpool’s defending of corners has improved. With 12 clearances, he more than doubled any other defender’s numbers.
Despite his unorthodox style, his long legs shrewdly nicked the ball away with exceptional timing and powered crunching tackles in equal measure. His presence only increased as he siphoned off any of United’s efforts to come back.
Klopp Cultivating Courage
Another match unbeaten and Liverpool are putting together a solid run. With the exception of the cup final loss on pens, Liverpool are now unbeaten in seven. The defence is much improved and becoming more stingy, while they also seem to be finding goals when they need them.
What is beyond doubt is that the club now believes in a way that has not been present for some time. It took some time for his calls for courage and composure from the touchline to sink into the side, but sink in it did. Surrendering the penalty only made the Reds more resolute.
Klopp has instilled a spirit that has Liverpool looking revived and could even lead to a late and unlikely push for a top four spot in the league. Advancing in the Europa League will not hurt the club’s confidence either. In a little over a month, Klopp has successfully embued the club with a completely newfound conviction.