Coaches’ Voice | Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3: tactical analysis

The excellent nature of this Liverpool victory was marked not solely by the scoreboard. As the sport performed out, 1000’s of empty Outdated Trafford seats  had been testomony to what had grow to be an inevitable final result. An final result that, three video games into the 2024/25 Premier League season, put the guests degree on 9 factors with leaders Manchester Metropolis. For Manchester United it was already a second defeat, placing them in an uncomfortable 14th-place going into September’s worldwide break.

Though it was solely the third recreation in cost for brand spanking new Liverpool boss Arne Slot, the efficiency of his workforce recommended in any other case. The Dutchman racked up the information on this late summer season Sunday, changing into the primary Liverpool supervisor to win his opening encounter with United since Bob Paisley in 1975 – and solely the second to win his debut league go to to Outdated Trafford, after George Kay in 1936. He additionally now stands alone as the one Liverpool supervisor in 131 years to supervise clear sheets in every of his first three league video games.

It might have been worse for Manchester United and Slot’s compatriot, Erik ten Hag, whose workforce had been unbeaten of their three encounters with Liverpool final season. Right here, Trent Alexander-Arnold had a aim disallowed for offside after six minutes, however there was to be no repeat of Liverpool’s wastefulness from their earlier two visits to Outdated Trafford. Luis Díaz transformed two Mohamed Salah passes earlier than half-time to place the Reds in management. Ten Hag then substituted Casemiro on the interval, following errors by the Brazilian within the build-up to Liverpool’s targets, nevertheless it didn’t get significantly better within the second interval.

Kobbie Mainoo was caught in possession by Alexis Mac Allister after the break, and Salah added the final touch to ruthlessly punish the flailing dwelling facet. Dominik Szoboszlai ought to have made it 4, solely to dally needlessly in entrance of a gaping aim. And whereas United pressured Alisson into motion to protect his shutout, the ultimate rating was a minimum of Liverpool deserved.

How the managers noticed it

“The primary half an hour was okay,” stated Ten Hag. “We made a mistake in defensive organisation for the disallowed aim, however we had been within the recreation. It was equal, degree, after which we had an excellent construction in build up, however then made an enormous error and, with the standard of Liverpool, they took advantage of that. They took their possibilities so properly.”

“There have been troublesome moments for us,” stated Slot. “United began very well and we conceded one or two corner-kicks in that second. However we fought ourselves by these moments after which we bought the disallowed aim, however there was no unfavorable response in any respect, we simply saved on enjoying afterwards. The whole lot was there, and perhaps the one which was most necessary is that the work charge was unimaginable by all of them with out the ball.”

Under, our UEFA-licensed coaches have analysed the important thing tactical factors from the sport…

Manchester United’s left facet

Ten Hag’s workforce arrange in a 4-2-3-1 form and gained early momentum within the match by utilizing their left facet. There, Marcus Rashford was optimistic on the ball within the early phases. He was shortly supported by Diogo Dalot, who ran past Salah to attempt to overload Alexander-Arnold. Proper-back Noussair Mazraoui narrowed, which allowed Mainoo in midfield to assist help play on United’s left. Considered one of Bruno Fernandes or Joshua Zirkzee then made penetrative runs round Ibrahima Konaté, because the central defender closest to Alexander-Arnold (beneath).

Nevertheless, regardless of United’s early bossing of possession and their left-sided choices on the counter, it finally didn’t quantity to a lot risk on the Liverpool aim.

Liverpool’s shifting assault

To shift the momentum, Liverpool’s 4-2-3-1 tailored when in possession. Initially, this meant Salah moved inside, releasing house for Alexander-Arnold to advance as Liverpool constructed with a again three. Szoboszlai then moved out to the left inside channel, as United’s slender 4-4-2 block prioritised Liverpool’s double pivot of Gravenberch and Mac Allister (beneath). The guests might then mess around, with Alexander-Arnold, Díaz and Szoboszlai serving to them keep possession and progress into United’s half.

At different instances, Salah held the width on the appropriate, with Alexander-Arnold narrowing as a 3rd central-midfielder, dragging Rashford again from his beforehand harmful counter-attacking place. This allowed Szoboszlai to place himself greater, between the traces, working nearer to Díaz and Jota (beneath). Liverpool then had a entrance line in a number of 1v1s towards United’s again 4, and commenced to create possibilities as they individually dominated their respective opponents.

Ruthless Liverpool

Regardless of their in-possession variations, it was Liverpool’s ruthlessness on attacking transitions that led to their targets. Slot organised his facet to press in United’s half, however solely after permitting the house facet to advance barely with the ball. Jota and Szoboszlai lined central entry into United’s midfield, which was simpler as soon as Casemiro dropped into the again line and break up the centre-backs. Díaz and Salah then narrowed, able to press inwards, as United’s full-backs had been inaccessible – Dalot was too excessive, and Mazraoui unnecessarily slender (beneath).

Because of this, Liverpool regained possession and punished United twice earlier than half-time. Though Ten Hag withdrew the struggling Casemiro, his workforce nonetheless lacked acceptable central-midfield connections throughout their build-up, with their midfield trio too far aside.

Liverpool’s slender entrance line continued to duel and regain with objective, after which assault the massive areas out there, with no likelihood of any United restoration run from midfield. The very good Salah duly punished them within the second half, as Liverpool had the sport wrapped up with greater than half-hour left to play. 

United will hope that deadline day arrival Manuel Ugarte will assist them to enhance because the season progresses. For Liverpool, the hope is that Arne Slot proves to be their signing of the summer season.

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The Coaches’ Voice