25 Feb 2019 07:33:37
Before kick off and under normal circumstances, we'd have taken a point at Old Trafford all day long.

But, for me we missed a real opportunity to beat United. They lost key players and we let them off the hook.

Our midfield looked flat and one dimensional, I personally would have bought on Keita, at least he runs at the opposition.

I'm pretty disappointed we didn't take advantage of United's injury problems. Yes we are top and I'll be told to look on the bright side blah, blah blah. But the reality is, we had the chance to put down a significant marker yesterday and we didn't

Just my opinion of course.

{Ed025's Note - it was a very flat performance from liverpool drogie, the front three just never performed and the service from midfield was non-existent, the problem is that there are no options to change it because the bench is really weak, i thought klopp was poor as well with his substitutions and TAA and keita would surely have been better options with united struggling with injuries, a point is not the worst result in the world though mate but i feel it could have been so much more..

1.) 25 Feb 2019
25 Feb 2019 08:10:27
There was no passion yesterday in the players which when your playing Utd, I really don't get that. I thought it'd be one of them games we'd speak about years from now because of all the hype but it's one that'll be quickly forgotten. It was a boring game, we were practically useless as was Utd, it's one of them, we got the point but I believe if we'd of at least tried, we'd of got the three points.

The front three yesterday didn't click at all which is a slight concern or maybe just an off day? I don't know but we need to bounce back and beat Watford, no if's buts of maybe's, it's a MUST win game. They all are mind, but one game at a time and all that.

Some may shoot me down and that's fine but Sturridge imo should never play for us again, use a youngster, do something other than putting him back on the pitch for Liverpool because he offers absolutely nothing and no I'm not just blaming him, the team were poor but Sturridge is far from good enough for this Liverpool team now.

I'll take the point, that's fine, we're top and are having an incredible season, everybody knows my prediction and I still believe it but yesterday was frustrating because if we wanted it more we'd of got the win.

{Ed025's Note - i would not say it was a lack of passion salah they looked a bit tired and jaded to me, now whether thats pressure or fatigue i dont know, but they will need to step up a bit if they are to win the title mate..

2.) 25 Feb 2019
25 Feb 2019 09:08:51
Most worryingly was that even when we had space, so many passes went astray (like Salah straight off the pitch or Mane straight to their defenders) it’s like the chemistry between the front three players has disappeared and they have never played before. Bayern was also a bit poor but hopefully they can turn it around.

I also agree a part of the blame has to be midfield, but I also struggle to argue that any of Fabinho, Gini or Hendo were poor against United, it’s simply they are all too similar and therefore our midfield was too functional and too one-dimensional in possession. All season their job has been to get the ball forward and let the front 3 weave their magic, but when that magic fails, where do the goals come from?

I think Klopp can try solve this one of two ways, either
1) inject more creativity and energy into midfield via Keita or Shaqiri (or hopefully Ox before too long! ) or
2) change the forwards. but here our only realistic options are Origi or Sturridge which is a big problem for us

I think we should go 4-2-3-1 against Watford and play Fabinho and Gini behind an attacking midfield of Keita, Shaqiri and Mane with Salah upfront.

3.) 25 Feb 2019
25 Feb 2019 09:48:07
My prediction before the game was that we would be flat and lose.
With the three injuries United had by half-time City would be forgiven for thinking there was a conspiracy to help us win the league but we couldn't take advantage. Real pity,

So the good news is that we're still top of the league with an easier run in than City and hopefully can draw a line under our recent poor run.

4.) 25 Feb 2019
25 Feb 2019 09:48:39
Agree OP. Klopp should of jumped on it when the injuries for Utd started to pile up. He made a mistake early on when he should of brought on Shaq or Origi before Sturridge or even Keita and move Salah upfront. Leaving milner on with a yellow was a risky game too, plus his crossing was like he thought he was playing in the six nations yesterday.

All in all a point isn't bad but we need to take the shackles off now and start taking risks and create more chances to try get our front three back into gear.

5.) 25 Feb 2019
25 Feb 2019 10:04:50
I thought we looked sharp up until Bobby went off and only Klopp knows why he brought Sturridge on. He has gone beyond a joke after the wolves game he should have never played again for Liverpool. Everybody can have a bad game but to not put in any effort is a disgrace. Rashford was injured yesterday for most of the game and still run more than Sturridge did.

6.) 25 Feb 2019
25 Feb 2019 14:02:54
I'll take a different perspective from the midfield as I thought they were excellent but from a defensive point of view. Keep in mind Utd are the team in form at the moment but a few points specifically;

1) Gini is a beast at protecting the ball. The way he can turn out of trouble and shield it is amazing to watch at times. He’s also quick and difficult to bump off the ball so I hope this form continues. Without him, there is a real lack of bite in the middle of the park.
2) Yesterday also showed why Henderson is crucial. There was a moment maybe 25 minutes into the first half where Utd were on a break down their left with a slight overlap and Hendo got a crucial tackle in before it was recovered by us. There was the odd occasion where you was caught out but he recovered. Whilst Gini is the bite, Hendo is the glue.
3) Fabinho was fab. I wish I could cook my pastries with the timing of his tackling. In the final 20, he was passing the ball around a lot more as Utd were tiring but the movement up top wasn’t that great considering a 5-5 formation from Utd was deployed.

Overall, just as a general not on the defense, high lines take balls and you need to give credit where credit is due from all. I was a little perplexed why Utd kept trying the same thing over and over and over again with the same result 9 times out of 10; offside. Where the frustration came from is how Utd played straight into Liverpool’s hands with every set piece they took but then the decision making from those with the ball when we recovered failed to pass it out wide for the counter. Klopp was furious at one particular set piece as we just totally fluffed on at least two occasions. The decision making going forward has been pretty poor for a while now so hopefully they can work on it. And let’s not discount Alisson’s save…he single handily (nailed the pun) got us a point with that excellent piece of work.


And Pogba? Where was he all game?

7.) 26 Feb 2019
26 Feb 2019 08:19:28
Think the kit man found Pogba still in Hendo's back pocket.

{Ed025's Note - im sure the united kit man found salah in shaws as well worminator, lots of players on both sides were underwhelming to be fair and thats what made it a terrible watch mate..