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Before the game even started, this was one of the best
derbies for Liverpool in a very long time.
Unlike so many Old Trafford clashes of old, Liverpool
went into this game not only ahead of their rivals, but also as genuine title
contenders. To add to the pre-game joy, Chelsea
had lost their game the day before, meaning the title race had blown open even
wider. The chance was there for Liverpool to close the gap down to just four
points (with a game in hand over leaders Chelsea, and City and Chelsea still to
come to Anfield), and they took it in style.
Right from the start, Liverpool
looked by far the superior team. Rodgers had dropped Coutinho from the starting
11 in place of Sterling, who played alongside Henderson and, crucially, Allen. The effects were easy to see. We had a phenomenal
level of midfield control, passing the ball around excellently. It wasn’t just
in possession when we were excellent either- we pressed United into mistakes
when they were on the ball, never letting them breathe. Suarez and Sturridge
combined well (as usual), with Sturridge getting a few decent chances early on.
He wasn’t able to take them though- it took a penalty to eventually get the
goal we so clearly deserved. It was won by Suarez: he controlled the ball
excellently, then took a great touch past Rafael, who’s wild, flailing arm
clearly collided with the ball. Having been booked just minutes before he
should clearly have been off for this, but in the grand scheme of things Liverpool didn’t have too much to complain about. Gerrard
took the penalty excellently, putting it right into the corner.
United reacted very poorly to going behind, failing to
muster any sort of threatening response. They lacked creativity going forward,
and were generally just sloppy. This was a theme that continued throughout the
game- to be frank, they looked very much worthy of the mid-table label that Liverpool fans are gleefully applying to them. They
managed to get into the break with the lead still at just 1, but it didn’t last
long into the second half. It was another penalty and, like the first one,
United could have no argument. Phil Jones clumsily knocked Joe Allen to the
ground, leaving referee Mark Clattenburg with an easy decision. Gerrard
converted the subsequent penalty with typical coolness, going to the right
again and slotting it into the very bottom corner.
In fairness to United, they rallied a little at this point.
It was still far from inspiring, but they did at least attempt to launch a
couple of attacks on the Liverpool goal. Van
Persie had the biggest chance to reduce the deficit to one, but he headed
tamely wide from six yards out. Things then went rapidly downhill for them-
Sturridge outpaced Vidic, who then rashly lunged in, getting nowhere near the
ball. There was little contact, but you simply can’t go in like that,
especially not in the box when on a yellow card. He was sent off, and Gerrard
had the chance to complete a hat-trick of penalties. He tried to go to his left
this time- it sent De Gea the wrong way but it was also slightly inaccurate,
and it struck the post.
It was basically the
only foot he put wrong all game; he was excellent. I was very much critical of
him after his first couple of games in a deeper role and questioned whether
he’d ever be able to adapt, but he has certainly proved me wrong over the
second half of the season. He has been immense- his tackling and positioning
have improved no end, and he doesn’t always resort to long passes. Though we
still need to get a proper defensive midfielder in the summer, it has to be
said that the need is a lot less urgent than it seemed to be before Gerrard
adapted to the role.
Gerrard should have had the chance to redeem himself for his
missed spot kick just minutes later. Apparently conceding three penalties isn’t
enough to get United players to catch on to the idea of not fouling players in
box; Sturridge had his legs blatantly taken out by Michael Carrick. Clattenburg
strangely decided not to give it- maybe he just felt bad for United at this
point! Liverpool , on the other hand, were
showing no mercy. Suarez flicked the ball excellently over Phil Jones on 82
minutes and then volleyed the ball powerfully at goal, forcing an exquisite
save from David De Gea. The respite was only very temporary though- Suarez got clean
through on De Gea again after excellently controlling a mis-hit shot from
Sturridge and this time managed to beat the Spanish keeper, curling it
perfectly over his outstretched leg and into the corner.
Basically all of the team played well, but I think that the
midfield three of Allen, Henderson and Sterling deserve special
praise. They dominated United all day, passing it amongst themselves and then
effortlessly speeding up the play by making incisive runs and passes. All three
of them were very willing to press, leading to Liverpool
winning the ball back high up the pitch on multiple occasions. The only player
who was not quite at his best was Daniel Sturridge- he missed a few good
chances, and seemed to have reverted to his old, more selfish style. Hopefully
it’s just a blip, and he’s back to his supreme best for the Cardiff game.
To sum up, this victory over our huge rivals was very sweet,
made all the more so by the respective positions of us and them. With Chelsea slipping up
against Villa and with our form showing no sign of slipping, a real feeling of
belief that we can do this is building. Now we just need to keep pumping out
victories, and hope that City slip up somewhere along the line!
-James Martin
Follow me on Twitter @JamesMartin013
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