Klopp's Liverpool come of age after getting revenge on rivals
It was not obvious judging by the pained expression etched across Louis van Gaal’s face, but he would have left Anfield feeling like the luckiest man in the world.
The mother of all games should have brought the mother of hangovers for the Manchester United manager. History could easily have led to humiliation.
The reality that Liverpool will head to Old Trafford next Thursday with progress into the Europa League quarter-finals in sight, rather than sealed, will be Jurgen Klopp’s only lament today of a performance that thrilled and excelled in equal measure.
On an evening when the Kop displayed all of its finery, roaring itself hoarse, their team did likewise. The visitors were reduced to a rabble by the end.
Not for the first time United were indebted to David de Gea who was unable to keep out Daniel Sturridge’s 20th minute penalty and Roberto Firmino’s stabbed effort deep in the second half, but who conjured half-a-dozen other excellent saves to prevent a first ever European meeting between bitter foes becoming a procession.
Klopp will preach caution, as is his wont, ahead of the resumption in hostilities.
In contrast, Van Gaal will pray for a miracle and if Uefa choose to review footage of a stray elbow by Marouane Fellaini on Emre Can in the closing moments, United will surely be denied one more point of attack.
The debate about whether this was two fading giants slugging it out in a second rate competition felt as one-sided as the contest which was to unfold. Klopp will regard this as the night his side came of age.
Occasions such as these, when the tumult is such that it is difficult to hear a team-mate’s call let alone take a second to put a foot on the ball, have become about learning how to win for Liverpool.
The desire to do well has been there and the sight of Jordan Henderson leaving Morgan Schneiderlin in a crumpled heap inside two minutes, collecting a booking as he did so, was a reminder once more of a willingness to play up to the deep rooted rivalry.
Yet Liverpool played with their heads as well as with hearts pumping. They passed and moved, weaved dizzying patterns and should have been out of sight.
Instead, they settled for taking the lead from the penalty spot. Nathaniel Clyne fed Henderson and continued a forward run where he sought to scamper onto a pass from Can.
It is indicative of the season Memphis Depay has endured that he found himself on the wrong side of his rival and, that when he tangled in desperation, the moment sent Clyne crashing to the turf.
Sturridge’s left-footed spot-kick brushed the fingertips of De Gea en route to finding the corner.
Just four minutes later, and with United left breathless by Liverpool’s relentless approach and struggling to make a tackle or a pass, Sturridge delivered a cross-shot that demanded Philippe Coutinho tuck home at the far post.
The Brazilian prodded at the ball with his right foot from barely two yards, De Gea thrust out his right arm and scooped it away.
Then, Sturridge blasted a drive straight at De Gea after Chris Smalling had slipped in trying to cut out Firmino’s clipped pass before the Spanish goalkeeper showcased by reflexes by keeping out Adam Lallana’s close range volley.
What will alarm Van Gaal is that the narrative - Liverpool versus De Gea – did not change.
United were bereft in midfield, where their opponents were resembled wide-jawed Alsatians who hunted in packs, and insipid going forward with Morgan Schneiderlin’s 51st minute drive that arrowed into the mid-riff of Simon Mignolet a rare shot on target.
The moment had come after a half-time re-organisation which saw Michael Carrick deployed as the centre piece of a back three after replacing teenager Marcus Rashford, who discovered the white heat of this squabble a steep learning curve.
Yet whatever the formation or permutation there remains little to admire about this team. When Van Gaal accused his critics of living in the past, it is perhaps only because the present feels so unbearable.
Finally, Liverpool’s superiority would be reflected more accurately in the scoreline.
When Henderson rescued Lallana’s over-hit pass and crossed from the by-line, the moment should not have prompted any panic.
Yet Carrick’s heavy touch saw the ball bounce away from him, Lallana nipped in and teed up Firmino who struck from the edge of the six-yard box.
It was a goal which encapsulated a match: Liverpool alive to United’s errors and feasting upon them.
Source: Daily Express
This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.