Liverpool were once again found wanting in a big away game this season as familiar errors crept into their performance during a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
A brace from Marcus Rashford, aided by some poor defending from Liverpool gave United a 2-0 lead and if not for Juan Mata deciding to recreate Pele’s goal from Escape to Victory, it could have been all over before half time.
Liverpool pushed on in the second half and got a lifeline when Eric Bailly diverted a Sadio Mane cross into his own net.
The away side pushed for an equaliser but a combination of poor play, great defending and a terrible referee meant they couldn’t get themselves a second goal and as such, they left Old Trafford empty handed.
Here’s how I rated the Liverpool players:
Loris Karius – 7
Didn’t have a chance with either goal. Dealt with the high ball well and showed his prowess as a sweeper keeper late on with an excellent challenge to prevent a United counter attack.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 4
United targeted Alexander-Arnold and got joy from it. He was badly caught out for the first goal and wasn’t great on the second either. Got forward we’ll as usual, but produced little when he got there. He’ll have better days in the future if he learns from his mistakes.
Dejan Lovren – 3
Another big away game where Lovren has let his side down. Bullied by Romelu Lukaku for both goals. He did make some important challenges but his decision to hack two United players down in the second half near his own corner flag signalled to me that he’d lost his head.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Looked solid again. Will be disappointed to have missed a sitter with his head just moments before United made it 2-0.
Andrew Robertson – 6
Hardly had to defend as United attacked Liverpool’s right. Got forward very well and put in a few decent balls.
Emre Can – 7
Didn’t cover himself in glory for the second goal but he put in a very commanding performance overall.
James Milner – 5
Failed to really make an impact on the game in an attacking sense, with some unusually poor passing.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 4
Similar to Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain never really settled and his passing was terrible. No surprise to see him taken off.
Sadio Mane – 6
Kept relatively quiet but did force the own goal and looked the most likely to score in the second half.
Mo Salah – 3
Anonymous. United did a job on him and he simply couldn’t get into the game. Had a chance to grab a very late equaliser but he put his shot into the stands.
Roberto Firmino – 6
Worked hard as usual and won the ball back numerous times. United’s solid shape made it difficult for him to have a major influence in the final third, but he did look threatening when he drifted wide.
