Liverpool was supposed to find a higher gear Sunday but it didn’t click. Now, Liverpool stands on the outside looking in.
Liverpool lost to Manchester United by a score of 2-1 in a Premier League game at Anfield. The loss dealt a blow to Liverpool’s chances of securing a top-four finish and handed the initiative to Manchester United with just eight games remaining in the domestic campaign.
The Reds only have themselves to blame for the defeat. They were second-best technically and tactically for most of the contest. They lost the psychological battle — in a game that always was going to be hot-tempered — by such a wide margin, few seriously could argue they deserved more than the result. The Reds matched Manchester United physically, but their deficiencies in the other major aspects of the game left them in their current position: chasing their top-four rivals, as the season’s clock ticks toward full time.
Juan Mata scored both goals for Manchester United, which punished the Reds’ for themselves open in wide areas susceptible to destruction in the middle by defending too deep. Mata’s first goal gave the visitors the lead in the 14th minute and heaped immense pressure on Liverpool.
Liverpool was too slow and accommodating in the first half, and Manchester United’s lead at the interval was just rewards for its total control of the game. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers responded by introducing captain Steven Gerrard into the proceedings at halftime. Rodgers’ plan to increase the Reds’ thrust spectacularly and spontaneously combusted within one minute when Gerrard was sent off for a stamp on Ander Herrara 38 seconds after entering the game.
Gerrard’s shocking dismissal reduced Liverpool to 10 men and put his team in a deeper hole, which Mata sealed shut in the 59th minute. Mata’s sensational scissor-kick goal stunned Anfield, thrilled neutrals and sent Manchester United into ecstasy, but the fireworks didn’t stop there.
Daniel Sturridge cut Manchester United’s lead in half with well-taken goal in the 69th minute. Anfield roared at the prospect of 10-man Liverpool restoring parity, but the Reds couldn’t muster the necessary response — an increase in passing tempo, shooting quality and pressing aggression that would turn the tide of the game against an opponent, which was full of confidence.
Manchester United seemingly has overcome their mid-season doldrums. Liverpool, on the other hand, must pick itself up from the most demoralizing of defeats, put its game back together and immediately return to the level it maintained during its now-broken 13-game league unbeaten run.
Liverpool now currently sits fifth in the Premier League standings, trailing fourth-placed Manchester United by five points. The Reds remain in the hunt for UEFA Champions League soccer next season. The Reds need 20 of 24 available points from their last eight games to do so, according to Rodgers’ calculations. They face a daunting task, having lost most of their margin of error when their transmission failed against their biggest rivals.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@itvfootball
