Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United: 5 talking points

Wayne Rooney (L) scored the winner in the 78th minuteManchester United ground out three points from an uninspiring performance as a late Wayne Roney strike – their only effort on target – saw them win by a single goal at Anfield and move upto fifth place. They are now two points short of the top four. The result means that United are unbeaten in their last four league games, having lost the the three games prior to that.Although it was Liverpool who created a host of chances to get in front, it was Manchester United who enjoyed their smash and grab moment in the 78th minute, when Marouane Fellaini headed a corner against the crossbar, only for the rebound to land kindly in the path of Rooney to finish past Simon Mignolet.The Anfield side rallied late on – Jurgen Klopp throwing on Christian Benteke and a makeshift striker in the form of Steven Caulker – but Louis van Gaal’s side held on to grab the points and ensure a joyous 33-mile return trip down East Lancashire.Here are the major talking points from the derby.

#1 Absence of an accomplished striker costs Liverpool

Leaving their only fit striker Christian Benteke on the bench meant that Liverpool were playing without a recognised striker upfront. Roberto Firmino starting the furthest forward in a false-9 role. The tactic worked against Arsenal in midweek, with the Brazilian scoring two brilliant goals.

However, he and his teammates were nowhere as clinical with their finishing as they were in that classic encounter on Wednesday. Jordan Henderson fluffed a host of promising chances, with Roberto Firmino driving wide and James Milner missing the target as well.

Though Jurgen Klopp did send Benteke on after falling behind, the move was just a little too late for the big Belgian striker to make an impact. To win games, a team needs to finish off chances and Liverpool defintiely lacked in that aspect on Sunday.

#2 David De Gea\'s brilliance saves Manchester United the blushes

Before the game, De Gea had said he wanted to attain legendary status at Old Trafford like Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel before him. Based on his form, he is on the right path to achieve that.

Another outing, another defiant performance in between the sticks for United’s star stopper. The 25-year old – who was minutes away from parting company with Old Trafford in the summer – showed why he was amongst the best in the business, making 4 saves in total, including a jaw-dropping one to keep out a thunderous Emre Can effort.

With Liverpool playing the better football and finding spaces in the opposition half time and time again, it was imperative that the Spaniard was on top of his game.

And that is exactly how it unfolded. His form will be absolutely crucial in deciding Manchester United’s fate come the end of the season.

#3 A game of two halves for Marouane Fellaini

With Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger both out injured, Manchester United’s central midfield duo picked themselves. Morgan Schneiderlin was deployed in defensive midfield while Marouane Fellaini played in an advanced role.

It was a forgettable first half for the Belgian, misplacing passes in the middle of the pitch and getting into ‘much ado about nothing’ exchanges with some of Liverpool’s players – probably a grudge from his Everton history. As a result, the Red Devils were constantly guilty of allowing Liverpool to pour forward and create a series of goalscoring opportunities.

However, the 27-year old was a changed figure in the second period, completing passes and providing a threat with his height and strength during set-pieces. His header which thudded against the woodwork for Rooney to latch onto the rebound and win the game for Manchester United summed up his impressive second half.

He was vital in his defensive penalty area in the closing moments, heading dangerous corners away and marking Steven Caulker to prevent him from being aerially beaten.

#4 Liverpool face a big task to finish in the top 4

With just a single point in two big home games, there is clear daylight between Liverpool and the four Champions League spots. A long injury list does not help Jurgen Klopp’s case either, with as many as eight first-team players currently on the sidelines.

Having inherited what looks like a highly inexperienced crop of players since taking over the reins in October, Klopp knows that a major makeover will have to be done over the summer if Liverpool have to compete against the elite in the Premier League. Goalkeeping blunders, naivety in dealing with set pieces and the absence of a world-class striker have been the primary reasons for Liverpool’s inconsistent run under the German international.

Patience is the key to success, and the Anfield faithful – recalling Klopp’s success at Dortmund – are more than willing to give him the time he needs to convert the current squad into a force to reckon with in the near future.

#5 Wayne Rooney saving Louis van Gaal\'s job?

A new year and a new beginning for Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney. The 30-year-old, who scored just six times in the Premier League in 2015, has already netted four goals in his last three appearances in the league this season, including yesterday’s winner at Anfield. In doing so, he broke the record for the most goals scored for a single club in the Premier League, surpassing Thierry Henry’s 175 goals for Arsenal.

176 - Wayne Rooney has now scored more goals for a single Premier League club than any other player (176). Record.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 17, 2016

All this at a time when manager Louis van Gaal is being seen as a force to get rid of by most United fans for his seemingly negative style of football and a failure to win even a single game in December, resulting in them losing ground at the top of the Premier League.

However, 2016 has brought a change in fortune for the Red Devils – now unbeaten in 4 games since New Year’s Day – and Rooney’s goals have been critical for United to keep in touch with the top four. The lack of the finishing touch following over-elaborate passing moves was the primary concern for Van Gaal during their torrid run of form.

Now that Rooney has found his shooting boots, his biggest challenge is to maintain this run of form to inspire the Red Devils to a strong Premier League finish and a productive Europa League campaign. With Van Gaal’s tenure on the line at the moment, an extended goalscoring run for Rooney could well help the Dutchman hold on to his job when the 2016/17 season gets underway.