#5 The brilliance of David de Gea
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Even though United stayed compact in defence there were some close moments for them in the second half when they looked likely to buckle under the constant pressure from Liverpool. Roberto Firmino might well have scored when he was through on goal but for the outstanding tackle on him by Valencia.
And United were certainly saved the blushes by a couple of extraordinary saves by David de Gea in the second half. The Spanish goal-keeper was called into action in the 59th minute as Emre Can went into the penalty box and managed to negotiate the swarm of United defenders around him to take a low shot on goal from 12 yards.
But despite his view being partially blocked by the bodies around him, De Gea leaped to his right to come up with a fantastic save.
12 minutes later, a visibly frustrated Coutinho single-handedly went across the defenders to unleash a thunderous 30-yard strike on goal. But he was denied by a superhuman effort from the United keeper as he flew across to pull off an incredible one-handed save.
The save left the Anfield crowd and Coutinho staring at disbelief as Klopp applauded the United keeper's heroics from the touchline.
Speaking after the match, the Liverpool manager said, “That is how he plays when he plays us,” Klopp noted afterwards of United’s goalkeeper. “Last year was similar. He loves games against Liverpool.”
