Manchester United vs Liverpool (2-1) | Match Review | North-West Derby

The biggest Derby in England i.e Manchester United vs Liverpool happened and finally Mourinho was able to defeat Klopp in England. The North-West Derby has finally found a winner. After previous 4 matches ending in a draw finally someone won the match. Manchester United defeated Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford. It was the first match between the two where a team won in 2 years. Last time it was Liverpool who defeated Manchester United in the Europa League match on 10th march 2016 and this time it was Manchester United who defeated them on 10th march 2018. The match was not a boring match as the previous encounter this season. United and Mourinho now sit 4 points ahead for liverpool in the 2nd position of the Premier League with 8 matches to go.

Talking points Manchester United vs Liverpool(2-1)

5) Referring decision spolied the match

Any match is hard done by referee decisions, but when it is a match of the magnitude of Manchester United vs Liverpool everyone loses their mind.There were three controversial decisions against Liverpool. Out of which Craig Pawson's decision not to give a penalty for Marouane Fellaini's challenge on Sadio Mane was an eyebrows raiser.Anyhow unitedworld deserving of the victory anyhow United deserve to win the match but these kind of referring decision always spoils the game. Liverpool supporter might think that they have been hard done by the refereeing decision but the fact of the matter is that it was their fault that they lost the match. Fact of the matter is that these decisions should only have help Liverpool in getting a draw at maximum.

4) Mourinho wins the tactical battle against Klopp

Mourinho simply told Klopp that if you want to press high we go long. It worked wonders as Lukaku guided 2 long balls from David de Gea which were then converted by Rashford. The approach was spot on by Mourinho. 

The only way to alter Liverpool's playing style at this moment is to have a strong defence while letting them keep the ball.Liverpool likes to press high and switch into fast counter attack, which by giving up the possession United nullified.Klopp's team came out in the second half with a lot of intent, but against this United at their home it was always going to be tough to get 2 goals. It was the most simple and effective way to defeat Liverpool and United did that brilliantly throughout the match.

3) Liverpool attack  not at their best

This is one key point. United did brilliantly to break Klopp's tactic, but they were also helped by the fact that the Liverpool front three Mane, Salah and Firmino were all not at pace and that helped to United's victory. The red hot Salah was looking so out of touch that even Ashley Young was able to keep him at bay. A young Scott Mctominay along with Nemanja Matic nullified any sort of attack from middle of the park. Liverpool might feel unlucky with the calls against them ,but the fact is they were not looking good at all. For all the good things they tried in the second half, they were unable to register a shot on target. To imagine this Liverpool team not able to register a single shot on target in a half in unbelievable. Liverpool can blame their defence as well as attack for this defeat.  

2) Marcus Rashford, Lukaku and Bailly turned it up

Eric Bailly proved what every united fan has been saying, he is the answer to their defence. The crazy man managed to keep all of the front three at bay. He is so important to United and he is the man for their defence. The fact that a FA cup match and Champions League encounter against Sevilla is coming , he will be a big boost to United and their defence.

Romelu Lukaku has finally started to silence all his critics. He might not have scored in this match but he along with his physicality dismantled Liverpool's defence.Lovren was completely bullied by the big man and that created spaces for both the United goals. They was nearly a complete performance by the target man. If Lukaku got a goal in this match it would have been a perfect performance by the 

number 9. 

Marcus Rashford got a nod by Mourinho for this big match and oh boy did he deliver. He scored two brilliant goals to give united the first half lead and a victory against Liverpool. He was frightening with his pace in the match and defended the Mourinho way as well. He will now give a happy headache to Mourinho for the left side of the attack. After the performance against Crystal Palace and now Liverpool, he has surely made a big impression at Mourinho.

1) Manchester United at driving seat to finish runner's up

The importance of this match was extremely big for United. They needed this win to have a breathing space at the 2nd place. Now with 8 games left and 4 points space between United and Liverpool, they can have a sense of relief about finishing 2nd. They have a home game against Arsenal and a away trip to Manchester City out of these 8 games. By the looks of the fixtures they face, 2nd might be United's position to finish this season. The fact that this small 4 ponts space after this match, might make Mourinho rest players like Lukaku, Matic, Sanchez and Pogba for big and crucial games. Moreover even if United don't finish 2nd somehow, then only a disaster will stop them from finishing in the top 4. 

Overall this has been a super confidence booster to Manchester United, before the crucial games they have this season. Manchester United vs Liverpool lived up to the expectation. This match will have a lot of ramifications at the end of the season. 

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