Jurgen Klopp said this was the most important game against Manchester United. What is Outbrain?
Yes, that includes last season’s 7-0 record.
Jurgen Klopp recalled Liverpool’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Anfield, saying they dominated the game and were more in control than in last season’s 7-0 win, but what was missing it was a goal.
Many will scoff at this, but a quick look at the key stats shows that Klopp has a point. In both games, Liverpool made 8 shots. Total Expected Goals, which measures the quality of chances created in the 7-0 win, was just 2.78, meaning Liverpool went ahead by seven goals. Liverpool’s expected goals are 0-0 with 2.35. It’s a pretty low performance statistically, but as Jamie Carragher said, despite many attempts to score, it was never a goal. Of the 34 shots on goal, only Virgil van Dijk’s header forced Andre Onana into a meaningful save, and even that fell short of its potential.
It was poor attacking play and the general brutality associated with Klopp’s football was anonymous. He protested but didn’t like what he saw.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was neither impressed nor disturbed by Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk’s post-match comments that his side were the only side looking to win after a 0-0 draw. Just a point, but a step in the right direction for Manchester United
from Liverpool’s goalless draw with Manchester United at Anfield.For Erik ten Haag, it must have felt like a victory. It’s been a difficult journey, with the memory of beating Bournemouth at home, being kicked out of Europe, suffering a slump and scoring seven goals at Anfield.
Manchester United fans then leaned against the wall and cheered at the final whistle. This was not a night for a referendum on Ten Haag’s 18 months of progress, or lack thereof. They wanted to protest. They have.Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool were superior to Manchester United in every way, with only one team struggling to win.Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans, who started together from the start, overcame everything that went against them. Andre Onana made an important save. Kobi Mainoo played as a second midfielder in the absence of manager Bruno Fernandes. Gary Neville believes expectations from an easy win against Manchester United influenced Liverpool’s Premier League performance at Anfield.
In the second half, Manchester United defended by breaking away from the intense atmosphere at Anfield, delaying a goal kick to prevent Liverpool attacking the Kop and even changing the finish. He might even win. With Scott McTominay at No 10, Ten Haag’s options in the final third were limited, but either Alejandro Garnacho or Rasmus Hojlund had the chance to pick out a winner on the counter-attack.
Confidence will increase. But United have had their say.
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