Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United : Five Talking Points

Daniel Sturridge’s first-half penalty and Roberto Firmino’s predatory finish gave Liverpool a 2-0 lead after the first leg of their round of 16 Europa League clash against Manchester United at Anfield. tooAfter starting the game on the front foot, Liverpool took the lead through Daniel Sturridge’s penalty. Memphis Depay pulled back Nathaniel Clyne and the referee had little hesitation in pointing to the spot. Despite guessing the right way, David de Gea, who was excellent on the night otherwise, failed to stop the spot kick.Hee did, however, make several crucial saves in the match and was one of the few United players to emerge out of the game with credit. Although he was powerless to stop a good finish from Firmino in the second half that gave the Reds a 2-0 advantage.Here are the major talking points from the game:

#1 Enthralling European encounter

Klopp displaying the passion his players showed throughout the game

One of the problems with big games between two sides, things are too cagey and they tend to peter out into a drab, dull affair where neither side is really looking to take the game early on. But the opening 20 seconds of this game, where Marcus Rashford just kneed the ball over the goal from inside the box, showed that this wasn’t going to be like the usual big games.

Thankfully for the hosts and also the visiting fans, this was an entertaining encounter, albeit one that was dominated predominantly by the home side. While United showed that they weren’t just there to shut up shop and wanted to extend their four-game winning streak against Liverpool, Klopp’s side displayed the passion and determination that we have come to expect.

Although the game was one-sided, at no point did seem boring and that was thanks largely to the high intensity of the game that brought the fans on board and made it an encounter to relish. While some of the defending wasn’t spectacular, the saves from de Gea certainly were and the final result is one that reflected the state of the game, which was refreshingly entertaining. Perhaps fittingly so, given this was the first European clash between these two heavyweights.

#2 Dave saves

The Spaniard was at his elastic best against the Reds

For a club that has spent the amount of money that Manchester United have, the frequency with which they rely on their goalkeeper is alarming. It is something that will not only concern their fans but also their manager who will have plenty of work to do in the second leg to get back into this tie.

Although Liverpool won 2-0, truth be told, if it wasn’t for the Spanish shot-stopper it could have been much more and that isn’t a statement that flatters the home side. The fact that the away side fail to win a single corner in the entire game speaks of the amount of forward momentum they showed in the game and if it wasn’t for their keeper, they would have come back to Manchester with a much worse scoreline.

Coming back to the Spaniard, if he does indeed want to go to Real Madrid, no one would blame him as, on current form, nobody in the United side is showing the same levels of consistency and world-class performance. For now though, United will be hoping he doesn’t have as much to do in the second leg or else they might well go crashing out of the competition.

#3 Liverpool draw first blood

The Reds were worthy winners on the night

It took an energetic, lively and passionate performance from Liverpool to ensure that Louis van Gaal’s 100% record against Liverpool came to an abrupt end. Although United started brightly it was Liverpool who looked like the side who wanted to score goals and take the advantage into the second leg.

While this was far from a full-strength United, that seems to count for little anymore as irrespective of the side, the Red Devils played like they seem to do these days, have the ball, do nothing with and wait for a moment of magic to turn the game on its head. Unfortunately, that moment never arrived on Thursday and if they play like they did at Anfield, it is highly unlikely that might arrive in the second leg as well.

Instead, it was the home side, who were brimming with energy and confidence after their late victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend. While they might have managed more goals on another day, if they repeat a similar performance in the second leg, they should make it through to the quarter-finals at a canter.

#4 Carrick\'s arrival makes a difference

Carrick made a decisive contribution to the game

Louis van Gaal started the game with Morgan Schneiderlin and Marouane Fellaini in central midfield, despite have the likes of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and even the returning Bastian Schweinsteiger to call upon. Their performance in the first half showed that the decision was clearly a mistake.

To his credit, the Dutchman saw that and immediately brought on Carrick in the second half to provide more composure at the back. And until the moment Liverpool scored, the Englishman was providing just that. His calm and assured presence almost in the middle of the two centre backs gave the visitors an outlet to spray the ball forward from.

Unfortunately, for United, it was that same calmness that meant the Reds got the second goal. After a scrappy cross from the right flank came into the box, Carrick, who had positioned himself perfectly tried to be too clever and control the ball near the six-yard box instead of booting it clear like a defender should have done.

It was that decision to take a touch that allow the ball to get to the Brazilian striker, who scored to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. While he is certainly a calm presence in midfield, his performance showed that he isn’t as good further back, in defence and that van Gaal should try and avoid playing him there.

#5 The curious case of Fellaini

Fellaini had an interesting game

When you have beaten Liverpool four times in a row and have the chance of a record in your sights and you choose to start with the midfield Van Gaal went for, then that is certainly puzzling. Starting Marouane Fellaini in central midfield is certainly something that the Dutchman has tried on more than a few occasions but it is difficult to see why.

While there are plenty of things Fellaini brings to the game, a calm presence in the centre of the park isn’t one of them. So it was certainly not surprising to see him give away quite a few fouls, earn a booking and in the end, be lucky enough to not get sent off towards the end of the game.

When he finally went up front, he almost scored with a header, which was arguably United’s best chance in the entire game. Of all of the Dutchman's tactical plays, this one certainly continues to be the most puzzling and if he continues with this, United might not make it into the next stage of the competition.