Manchester United have been beaten 7-0 by Liverpool. Here is a look at five things we learned…
Inexplicable loss you just have to move on from
Recent seasons have seen Manchester United’s visits to Anfield be a case of simply hoping for the final whistle to blow and the nightmare to be over. This game was somehow even worse than last season.
Unliked recent Anfield defeats, United weathered the early storm, and yet still fell victim to a thrashing.
For 40 minutes Manchester United were arguably the better team. Then the collapse came, conceding at the end of the first half, and twice early after half-time. Then the collapse came, United lost by a staggering 7-0 scoreline.
This was a real disappointment. There was no sign United were about to be taken apart so suddenly and so thoroughly.
But there is no reason to over react. This is just an inexplicable defeat you simply have to chalk up as a terrible result, and move on from.
Gakpo haunts Ten Hag
This was probably what we feared most when Manchester United chose not to pursue a deal for Cody Gakpo in January and saw him sign for Liverpool instead.
The forward has been coming into form after a slow start for Liverpool and made his mark late in the first half by giving Liverpool the lead.
Gakpo was a thorn in Erik ten Hag’s side for PSV while the manager was at Ajax, and he proved an annoyance once more, this time at Anfield.
He took advantage of slack United defending early in the second half too, with an excellent finish when put through on goal by Mo Salah.
Shaw will get flak for mistake
Manchester United conceded a second goal just as the second half began, and it was a bad one to give away. Luke Shaw will receive flak for it.
The England international gave the ball away inside his own half with an errant pass, needlessly when not under pressure. He then failed to clear his lines when he should have been more composed.
Shaw has been excellent this season, but there was no excuse for his error, which came at a key point in the game. He was not the only United player to under-perform – but his mistake might have been the most harmful.
United will bounce back – but this was embarrassing
Manchester United’s usual resilience wilted at the worst possible time, with Liverpool recording a statement win.
This was a crushing loss in isolation. But just like Erik ten Hag does not like his side to get too carried away by wins, he won’t want the team getting too swept up in the loss.
United have had bad results before under Ten Hag, the 4-0 loss to Brentford and 6-3 against Manchester City. In each of these games, the team bounced right back with a win.
The season won’t suddenly falter and collapse, the manager won’t let it happen. Up next are two home games against Real Betis and then Southampton visiting Old Trafford. This team will bounce back and return to winning ways quickly.
It’s one thing to lose of course. But to lose 7-0 was truly embarrassing. United’s players were pathetic in the second half and owe a huge response, because this was historically bad.
Look down, not up
The result of this game was pivotal for how the rest of the season may shape up for Manchester United. Win, and let’s really push to put pressure on Manchester City and Arsenal. Sadly this wasn’t the case.
This defeat should erase hopes of a title push, and was a reminder there is still work to do to secure a Champions League place.
United are third, still seven points ahead of Liverpool in fifth. Four points ahead of Tottenham, with a game in hand.
We look good for a top four spot, but there can’t be any complacency. Finishing in the top four and winning a trophy was the target before the season, and we are already halfway there.
This was a real wake-up call. Don’t get carried away by recent success. Don’t panic either, United are still in a good position.
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