Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis

#2 Paul Pogba plays no part in Manchester United’s defeat

Pogba was left freezing on the bench in the Merseyside rain

Jose decided to field a back three at the start, meaning that he had the place for only two central midfielders. Unsurprisingly, the Portuguese left out Pogba from the starting eleven. However, his decision to not use the Frenchman at all left the entire footballing fraternity baffled.

Despite United changing shape at half-time, Pogba never got a chance to have a go at Liverpool. On a night where United were facing problems trying to drive the ball up-field, the Frenchman’s surging runs could’ve proved useful.

Manchester United were trailing by a goal heading into the final fifteen minutes. Yet, their most flamboyant player stood on the bench, freezing in the Merseyside rain. Jose and Pogba’s relationship has seen many a grey day but arguably none have been as dark as this.

With their season already on a downward spiral, the last thing United want is a tiff between their manager and one of their highest earners. Maybe, Pogba hasn’t helped his case by being lackadaisical but one can’t deny the part Jose has played in making the issue escalate to gigantic proportions.

While a number of questions regarding Jose, Pogba and the club are up in the air, one thing became amply clear at Anfield: Jose just doesn’t trust Pogba in the big games anymore.