After finishing 34 times, Liverpool could not score when they drew 0-0 with Man Utd at home. Liverpool accepted to lose the top of the table after round 17 of the Premier League.
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Man Utd accepted to sit deep and defend with a very low squad. This was the match in which coach Erik ten Hag had to field a patchwork squad.
In the first 15 minutes, Liverpool created great pressure on Andre Onana’s goal. Mohamed Salah’s finish or Ibrahima Konate’s header brought a lot of hope to Liverpool fans. However, this was a match in which Man Utd’s defense played solidly.
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On the left corridor, Luke Shaw focused and caused Salah as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold many difficulties. In difficult circumstances with Harry Maguire’s absence, the central defenders Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane worked together very well.
Dominik Szoboszlai, in the absence of conductor Alexis Mac Allister, was expected to be the one to connect the links on the field, but the Hungary player did not complete his task, as he continuously made mistakes in passing the ball and was out of rhythm with his teammates.
Even the brightest star, Mohamed Salah, had many failed passes, was “locked to death” by Luke Shaw and during the first 45 minutes only made one shot but could not beat Andre Onana.
Liverpool’s most dangerous opportunity of the first half came from a fixed situation. In the 28th minute, Alexander-Arnold took a very good corner kick, Virgil van Dijk jumped high to head the ball but Onana excellently blocked it. Liverpool completely dominated the first half but could not score.
Man Utd attempted to elevate the team as the second half got underway in an effort to lessen the pressure on the home field. In actuality, coach Erik ten Hag’s modifications proved beneficial. Man Utd played with assurance and eventually launched strong counterattacks.
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In the 55th minute, from Kobbie Mainoo’s pass, Alenjandro Garnacho faced Alisson Becker, but Alexander-Arnold was still able to intervene so that the Man Utd striker could not finish. Not long after, Man Utd counterattacked very well. Scott McTomminay passed the ball to Rasmus Hoijlund, but the Danish star missed the opportunity when he was very close to the goal.
On the defensive front, Man Utd defenders still maintain surprising focus. They calmly neutralized many of Liverpool’s attacks. On a day when Salah and Darwin Nunez played disappointingly, the Anfield team did not defeat Andre Onana once.
During extra time, Diogo Dalot was sent off for reacting to the referee. However, the remaining time was not enough for Liverpool to take advantage of their advantage.
