English Premier League: Detailed Player by Player review for Manchester United versus Liverpool – Part 4
As far as Liverpool are concerned, their goalkeeper Pepe Reina didn’t have much to do. The Spanish goalkeeper who has been in impressive form this season and arguably was the sole reason why Liverpool didn’t lose against Birmingham
was just a spectator against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Admittedly, he was just an observer to what was going on in front of him. The former Villarreal keeper was seldom forced into a save as United’s finishing was too good to even give the Liverpool
shot stopper a chance.
Reina had only a single moment of indecision as he showed reluctance and nervousness from one of the crosses from Luis Nani, down the right side of Manchester United’s attack. The two headers that Berbatov scored were perfectly
placed by the Bulgarian and thus Reina cannot be blamed for conceding those goals. The over-head kick took a touch off the bar and into the back of the net for Berbatov, even if Pepe Reina wanted to do something about that piece of magic, he would have to
be in a Harry Potter book to accomplish it.
It is better to burn out rather than to fade away. Kurt Cobain obviously killed himself after writing those words but let us not suggest that Jamie should do that after his horrendous display against Manchester United on Sunday.
It was perhaps the most obvious factor which outlined the current state of the Liverpool defence. Manchester United specifically targeted the Liverpool oldie and milked his shortcomings for all their worth.
Carragher’s positioning, tackling, heading and defensive organization were all suspect during the match. He got bullied around by Dimitar Berbatov throughout the ninety minutes and seldom looked like learning from his mistakes.
For a defender who has been playing at the highest level for well over a decade, Jamie was just pathetic. He was not even industrious and lacked the obvious ability to deal with the marvellous Bulgarian. Out jumped, out thought and out played for all of the
three goals that Liverpool conceded, Carragher was Liverpool’s most shocking performer against United.
He also ran the risk of getting sent off after he pulled Nemanja Vidic down inside the Liverpool penalty area during the first half of the match, if Howard Webb was a bit closer, he would not have hesitated in pointing to the spot.
It should be acknowledged that Carragher did try his best to cope with what was thrown at him but frankly, his best was not good enough for Liverpool on the day and one wonders whether Jamie is set to fade away rather than to burn out. After Carragher’s performance,
Hodgson might be considering benching the veteran and going with Agger and Skrtel in Liverpool’s central defence.
Paul Konchesky, Liverpool’s new summer singing played at left back from him. There were doubts about Paul’s ability to play in a team which was looking to challenge for titles before the season started, his transfer to Liverpool
from Fulham F.C was a surprising one because everyone expected Liverpool to sign a “better equipped” player. However, the game against Manchester United only reinforced the fact that Konchesky belongs to a mid table side rather than a top six one.
In the first half, he was torn apart by Luis Nani on the right side of Manchester United’s attack and in the second half, Nani added insult to injury by continuing his on-the-field tirade against the balding 29-year old. Konchesky
was at fault for Manchester United’s first goal as well, Berbatov’s header found its way to the back of the net but Paul was supposed to be on the line stopping the header going through, instead he was caught out of position. Konchesky’s lack of pace can be
disadvantageous to Liverpool’s hopes of breaking into the top four this season.
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