Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah was left an ineffective figure

Loris Karius - 6

Karius was not expected to save any of United's goals - one was fiercely struck and the other was deflected. He didn't have much to do for the remainder of the game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6

Alexander-Arnold was deceived by Rashford in the build-up to the first goal and was the unfortunate victim of a deflection for the second. He was second-best to Rashford's fleet-footedness on the ball and his crosses were dealt with comfortably by United's defence.

Virgil van Dijk - 6.5

The Dutch defender was involved in a fierce battle with Lukaku when it came to aerial duels. He was able to deal with United's attacks on an overall note with a handful of clearances, but he should probably have been the one marking Lukaku instead of Lovren, the latter being brushed aside in the build-up to United's second. He also missed a good opportunity to equalize for Liverpool when he was unable to direct a header from a corner.

Dejan Lovren - 5.5

Lovren was average at best, getting easily brushed aside by Lukaku as he won the header from a goal-kick before Rashford completed the move to put United 2-0 up. He found Sanchez a handful and was helped by the Chilean's inefficiency on the ball.

Andrew Robertson - 6

It took Robertson more than an hour to make his trademark surge up the pitch and deliver a cross across the face of goal. He was well tracked by Valencia throughout the game, despite his best efforts to find gaps in United's defence, which were nearly non-existent.

Emre Can - 6

Can was mostly resigned to sideways and diagonal passes at best, with United covering all spaces in the heart of the pitch. His average position was more advanced as the game reached its climax, but he was unable to effect an equalizer.

James Milner - 6.5

Milner - despite his experience - struggled along with his team-mates to break down a resolute United defence. His attempted key passes were all intercepted by the opposition. When he opted for the lofted-ball route, Bailly and Smalling were there to nullify that threat as well.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6

The ex-Arsenal man was given no room by McTominay and Matic to use his pace and skill in possession of the ball. He was taken off at the hour mark post a frustrating performance.

Mohamed Salah - 6

It was probably the first time this season that Salah was prevented from expressing himself. Ashley Young stifled him for space, dispossessed him as he was prowling around the 18-yard area and was given no chance to attempt his special curled shot into the far corner with his left foot, a move that has contributed a fair portion to his 32 goals this season.

Roberto Firmino - 6.5

The forward moved around his box and occasionally in midfield to help drive his team through what seemed to an impenetrable United back-line. He was kept at bay by an imposing Bailly when the ball was played to him. He was reduced to just a couple of tame shots in the end.

Sadio Mane - 6.5

Mane was involved in Liverpool's fortuitous goal, supplying a fierce low ball across the box which Bailly was only able to divert it past de Gea and give Liverpool hope. Apart from that moment, he was well silenced by the likes of Valencia and Matic. The Senegalese, like Salah, was denied any space to run into the box and carve open the opposition defence.

Substitutions:

Adam Lallana - 7

Lallana's introduction was much needed from Liverpool's point of view, as the Englishman began running the show in midfield. He was sending wingers on their way with well-weighted passes and manoeuvered the ball across the attacking third with pace and purpose to improve their chances of completing a comeback.

Georginio Wijnaldum - 6

Wijnaldum failed to bring the required effect to the game, only managing to string a handful of passes.

Dominic Solanke - N/A

Solanke came on in the 85th minute and was well marshalled by United's brick wall when they were under the pump, protecting their lead.