With their most hated rival ripe for a deserved comeuppance and a chance to overtake them for fourth in the table, Liverpool faltered (1-2) against Manchester United at Anfield. The match offered high drama and moments of brilliant play but too few of those moments favored the home side. From the opening whistle, United showed all the energy, pace, and precision that supporters expected from the Reds at the start. It did not bode well. Then, in a fixture that has produced 15 red cards, a rush of blood always lurked but who could have foreseen this one play out for the 16th sending off? With eight fixtures left and now a five point gap, this match may prove to be a funhouse reflection of last season’s home loss to Chelsea.
Here are four findings from today’s match:
Gerrard’s head gone – Coming out of the tunnel and on to the pitch at half time, the stage was set for another one of Steven Gerrard’s heroic Roy of the Rovers performances. Immediately he involved himself with his excellent touch and a much needed fierce, hard-man tackle. Then another house-of-horrors moment, at the worst imaginable time, befell Captain Fantastic. Not a slip but a stamp. An undeniable transgression in the heat of the moment, reacting to a high and dangerous lunge from Ander Herrera, saw the skipper lose his head after just 38 seconds. Liverpool desperately needed steel but not senselessness. Referee Martin Atkinson, in full view behind the play, had little choice but to go to the back pocket. Gerrard, frustrated and knowing, left in disgust. Loathsomely, another season may come down to an ignominious instant horribly associated with Gerrard. Given the associated ban and any potential additional sanction, there may be too little time left for redemption while he remains in Red.
Rodgers naivety – Not for the first time, manager Brendan Rodgers has been faced with a match – a moment – where he has been left wanting. Granted, this time his in-game attempt to adjust went unexpectedly awry with Gerrard’s red card, but today he received a lesson from a wiser, European master manager. The league has begun adjusting to the tactical shifts that saw the Northern Irishman rescue the Reds’ season. United arrived at Anfield with a physically stronger side, looking to use their size and aggression to their advantage. They were better prepared tactically, technically, physically, and psychologically for this match. Louis van Gaal clearly took notes on Monday, and Liverpool were dominated again in the first half. Individuals players were better this time but the team’s shape was not, and the Red Devils overran the midfield, seized control, and held their nerve to get the crucial three points. His faith in his players is a strength, but there are times when Rodgers’ in-game adjustments seem too slow. This was a reminder of how young he still is managing at the elite level.
Suspect starting eleven – Coming off the performance at Swansea, starting with the same eleven was curious. Demonstrating confidence in the side is admirable, but too many areas of concern were exposed in Wales. Apart form the restoration of the back three, there were questions all over the park. Choosing to keep Gerrard on the bench was slightly surprising but understandable, given the impact he just showed as a substitute. Yet, for all his good qualities, and there are many, Adam Lallana looks increasingly like a squad player for a team of Liverpool’s ambitions. Yet Rodgers continues to shoehorn him into the side as a starter, despite him lacking the mental and physical pace to play with his teammates at their hell-for-leather best. Alberto Moreno’s enormous potential hints at great success in Red, but his youth and concentration are suspect at the minute. Today he had a ‘mare. Joe Allen has been exceptional, but it was clear that Marouane Fellaini was going to be on his shoulder, bullying him all day. The added pressure of the occasion and United’s rising form called for some anticipation and adjustment.
Sterling conundrum – During Liverpool’s darkest day in the Autumn, Raheem Sterling shone as the brightest player on the pitch. His continued progress seemed an almost certainty. His prized versatility allowed him to emerge as an unlikely lead striker, when the team was desperate to score goals. Now that all-purpose ability poses a problem. Since Sturridge’s return, Sterling has been routinely marginalized on the right side, where he is neither as threatening nor as effective. Today he was asked to play three different roles during the same match, emblematic of the issue. Given his age and ability, it may be that his form has dropped due to his lack of a stable run of games with the same responsibilities, not to mention distracting, protracted contract negotiations. It must be so tempting to use him as a utility player, filling whatever hole is created by the players around him, but now it is inhibiting his ability to impact games. For Liverpool to have even a glimmer of regaining a shot at the top four, it will require Coutinho, Sturridge, and most of all Sterling to be firing on all cylinders, now to the season’s end.
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