MANCHESTER UNITED (Scholes 39th, Ferdinand 65th) 2-0 Liverpool
We slumped to another defeat after a goals from each half separated us.
RB starting with a 4-5-1 formation, with Kuyt being the target man. Bellamy was out with a calf injury.
Manure started with a typical 4-4-2, Ronaldo was on the bench, with Saha and Rooney leading the lines.
We settled faster, gaining ground fast and got to the ball faster than any Manure player.
That energy caused us later as our players became fatigue.
Gonzalez performed well at start, earning a few coners with his pace. We had an early chance when Gonzalez crossed a ball to an unmarked Kuyt who headed straight into Van Der Sar's hands.
Saha was on form and threathen with 2 shots which Reina saved with the tips of his finers. Rooney was dissapointing with his 1st touch in 1 opportunity and Finnan headed the ball away to safety.
The moment came when Manure attacked. Sissoko headed the ball to some bastard and he passed it to Giggs, who squared the ball for Scholes who was in his 500th appearance for Manure. Hyypia wasnt there, marking Scholes and Reina came out for the ball. He saved it but it still still going towards the goal. Hyypia stretched but was unable to stop it from crossing the line.
We became disillusioned when we had the ball. The enthusiasm at the start was lost and the ball was just being passed all over, Manure defended and waited for the VERY mistake which they would capitalise on.
Alonso also had a shot just wide out of the penalty box just before half time.
Half time arrived fast.
Pennant was brought on for Pennant for Gonzalez in the 51th minute. What for RB? Wtf were you doing?!
Gonzalez was performing till then and Sissoko should've been brought out after his booking as he was slow to react unlike usual. United pushed on and their 2nd goal came when their corner was hit short and crossed into the box. Ferdinand was unmarked and faked a shot, before finishing beautifully into Reina's top corner.
There again. Liverpool's marking during corners. Usually teams use man-marking, like Chelski. But Liverpool's style is zonal marking, which is you mark the guy in your area.
This is a good kind of defending against corner, other then the times when players get confused and an opponent goes unmarked. And there, it happened just now.
The game went on and finished with Manure holding the ball.
Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Gonzalez, Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard (captain), Garcia, Kuyt. Subs - Dudek, Pennant, Crouch, Warnock, Paletta
Manchester United: Van der Sar, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Neville (captain), Giggs, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Rooney, Saha. Subs - Brown, Ronaldo, Solskjaer, Kuszczak, O'Shea
Referee: G Poll
Conditions: Dry
Attendance: 75,828
Player ratings:
Reina 7/10
Was kinda solid and made a few finger tip saves of Saha's shots.
Finnan 7/10
Was good at start but became fustrated as the game went on and thus, earned a yellow card.
Carra 6.5/10
His bad positing lets Ferdinand being exposed. He could've stopped the 2nd goal when he slided for the shot but he siamed the ball as it went over him.
Riise 6.5/10
Didnt even see him much. Blasted a shot over, which i hate most. Although you DO have to try.
Garcia 4.5/10
Lost so MANY balls trying his flicks and tricks. Was terribly weak and went down whenever he was jsut nudged.
Gerrard 6.5/10
Wasnt dynamic and some of his desperate shots went terribly wide. Did cross in the entire match i think.
Sissoko 6.5/10
Held the ball well BUT, he just cannot distribute them. Poor passing and many reckless tackles.
Alonso 7/10
Passed slightly well =| Had a nice try on goal.
Gonzalez 7/10
His pace earned us some corners but he didnt use it well whenever there is a 2 Liverpool on 2 Manure players situation.
Kuyt 5/10
Other then his header on goal, i didnt even see him in the game.
Crouch 5/10
Did not make an impact when he came on for Alonso.
Earned a yellow card moments later after his LOOOONG legs reached Van Der Sar.
Pennant 5.5/10
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Labels: EPL, Liverpool
