EPL Week 4: Two Defensive Errors Cost Manchester United As They Lose Against Liverpool 2-1
September 14th 2008 19:27
When Berbatov delivered a superb low cross to Tevez at the entrance of the box in the second minute of play, everyone thought that United's offensive machine was back on track. Instead, it was Liverpool who, without Gerrard and Torres, provided their best team effort in a long time to defeat the defending champions 2-1.
With Berbatov in front, Rooney was pushed to the right of the midfield, providing United the width that they sorely lacked against Zenit St. Petersburg two weeks ago. The return of Carrick in central midfield was also a bonus for United's attack while the choice of Anderson over Giggs on the left wing left me scratching my head. Like I said before, when the Red Devils took the lead, it looked like they were going to slaughter Liverpool but several factors came into play to reverse the trend.
First, newcomer Albert Riera was a thorn in United's side as he gave a lot of trouble to Wes Brown on Manchester's right flank. The Spanish used all kinds of flicks and tricks to penetrate the visitors' 18-yard box, and his solid performance helped to strengthen Liverpool's resolve in the opening stages of the game where Riera was the only bright spot in the home side's play.
Secondly, for the first time in a long time, Van der Sar looked a bit shaky in goal, not displaying the same kind of confidence everyone's accustomed to seeing. A braver Van der Sar would have gone for the ball in the 25th minute instead of simply palming it away straight at Wes Brown who couldn't stop it from bouncing off of him and crossing the goal line. Liverpool's first goal was a fluke, but sometimes that's all it takes to fire up a struggling team.
Then, things got worse for United when Carrick re-injured his ankle while coming into contact with Mascherano. Manchester not only lost their playmaker for the game, but it's also possible that he'll miss their Champions League opener on Wednesday. At half-time, Giggs came in for Carrick but he would play on the left wing while Anderson would slide in the middle.
In the second half, Manchester United had all the trouble in the world to keep possession. They were unable to make more than two consecutive passes, and Berbatov was becoming increasingly isolated in front. As usual Giggs and Scholes displayed their usual chemistry by making some nice plays between each other but neither of them could reach Berbatov. Speaking of which, the Bulgarian forward struck me as disinterested in the game. He reminded me of some hockey players who have all the skills in the world but won't sweat too much for the team. It was a startling contrast to Tevez and Rooney who are all about the team effort and working hard. Anyways, as much as Giggs brought a bit more constructive play in front, he was the one at fault on Liverpool's second goal when Dirk Kuyt managed to take the ball away from him. The veteran winger was protecting the ball in order to get a goal kick, but Kuyt managed to get the ball right before it crossed the line, beat both Giggs and Brown and cross to Babel who didn't miss his chance. Nine times out of ten, that ball would've gone out of bounds, but this time, a hungrier Liverpool fought for every ball including this one.
United tried to mount a comeback in the dying minutes of the game with Nani and Hargreaves coming on for Scholes and Anderson while Vidic was also sent up front alongside Invisible Man Berbatov. But at the 89th minute, Vidic was sent off after picking up a second yellow-card. Down to ten men, the players resigned themselves to their fate as Liverpool won the match 2-1. All Liverpool players provided a great performance in this game, and the midfield didn't miss Gerrard at all. As for United, maybe it's a Cup hangover thing but I find them kinda complacent right now, as if they're all expecting everything to just gel into place. Someone should tell them that it doesn't work that way.
Manchester United's line-up: Edwin Van der Sar; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes (Owen Hargreaves, 65th), Michael Carrick (Ryan Giggs, h-t), Anderson (Nani, 77th); Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov.
Liverpool's line-up: Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Fabio Aurelio; Yossi Benayoun (Steven Gerrard, 67th), Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano (Sami Hyypia, 86th), Albert Riera (Ryan Babel, 71st); Robbie Keane, Dirk Kuyt.
With Berbatov in front, Rooney was pushed to the right of the midfield, providing United the width that they sorely lacked against Zenit St. Petersburg two weeks ago. The return of Carrick in central midfield was also a bonus for United's attack while the choice of Anderson over Giggs on the left wing left me scratching my head. Like I said before, when the Red Devils took the lead, it looked like they were going to slaughter Liverpool but several factors came into play to reverse the trend.
First, newcomer Albert Riera was a thorn in United's side as he gave a lot of trouble to Wes Brown on Manchester's right flank. The Spanish used all kinds of flicks and tricks to penetrate the visitors' 18-yard box, and his solid performance helped to strengthen Liverpool's resolve in the opening stages of the game where Riera was the only bright spot in the home side's play.
Secondly, for the first time in a long time, Van der Sar looked a bit shaky in goal, not displaying the same kind of confidence everyone's accustomed to seeing. A braver Van der Sar would have gone for the ball in the 25th minute instead of simply palming it away straight at Wes Brown who couldn't stop it from bouncing off of him and crossing the goal line. Liverpool's first goal was a fluke, but sometimes that's all it takes to fire up a struggling team.
Then, things got worse for United when Carrick re-injured his ankle while coming into contact with Mascherano. Manchester not only lost their playmaker for the game, but it's also possible that he'll miss their Champions League opener on Wednesday. At half-time, Giggs came in for Carrick but he would play on the left wing while Anderson would slide in the middle.
In the second half, Manchester United had all the trouble in the world to keep possession. They were unable to make more than two consecutive passes, and Berbatov was becoming increasingly isolated in front. As usual Giggs and Scholes displayed their usual chemistry by making some nice plays between each other but neither of them could reach Berbatov. Speaking of which, the Bulgarian forward struck me as disinterested in the game. He reminded me of some hockey players who have all the skills in the world but won't sweat too much for the team. It was a startling contrast to Tevez and Rooney who are all about the team effort and working hard. Anyways, as much as Giggs brought a bit more constructive play in front, he was the one at fault on Liverpool's second goal when Dirk Kuyt managed to take the ball away from him. The veteran winger was protecting the ball in order to get a goal kick, but Kuyt managed to get the ball right before it crossed the line, beat both Giggs and Brown and cross to Babel who didn't miss his chance. Nine times out of ten, that ball would've gone out of bounds, but this time, a hungrier Liverpool fought for every ball including this one.
United tried to mount a comeback in the dying minutes of the game with Nani and Hargreaves coming on for Scholes and Anderson while Vidic was also sent up front alongside Invisible Man Berbatov. But at the 89th minute, Vidic was sent off after picking up a second yellow-card. Down to ten men, the players resigned themselves to their fate as Liverpool won the match 2-1. All Liverpool players provided a great performance in this game, and the midfield didn't miss Gerrard at all. As for United, maybe it's a Cup hangover thing but I find them kinda complacent right now, as if they're all expecting everything to just gel into place. Someone should tell them that it doesn't work that way.
All Goals
Manchester United's line-up: Edwin Van der Sar; Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra; Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes (Owen Hargreaves, 65th), Michael Carrick (Ryan Giggs, h-t), Anderson (Nani, 77th); Carlos Tevez, Dimitar Berbatov.
Liverpool's line-up: Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Fabio Aurelio; Yossi Benayoun (Steven Gerrard, 67th), Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano (Sami Hyypia, 86th), Albert Riera (Ryan Babel, 71st); Robbie Keane, Dirk Kuyt.
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