Football EPL Update: An Analysis of individual player performances of Liverpool players against Manchester United
Liverpool came to touching distance of inflicting maximum pain on their bitter rivals Manchester United; as they clawed their way back into the game from 2-0 down to bring it level at 2-2 with just 10 minutes to go.
However, Dimitar Berbatov scored late in the game to secure all three points for Manchester United and leave Liverpool stuttering at the 16th place in the English Premier League table.
It was not a bad night for Liverpool but United manager just won the night tactically.
Here is an analysis of all the players for Liverpool:
Pepe Reina: The Spaniard didn’t do much wrong in the game and was equal to task whenever questioned by the Manchester United attack, he was not at fault for any of United’s three goals, as all three were destined to end up in the back of
the net. However, for keeper of his stature and in a game of this magnitude better was expected of him but United were too classy to handle even for Reina.
Jamie Carragher: Berbatov was all over Jamie, so much so that he almost had the veteran defender in his back pocket. His shirt pull on Vidic should have been a penalty in the first half but wasn’t given. He was at fault for at least two
of United’s three goals, could not keep track of Rooney and Berbatov interchanging places and lacked pace and vision whenever he came against Berbatov, all in all, it was a night to forget for the ageing defender.
Paul Konchesky: Paul had a good start to the game but once Nani settled in the game, it was always going to be difficult for the former Fulham man and that’s how it turned out as Nani tormented him on the flank and got the better of him every
time the two faced each other. Konchesky didn’t even offer much going forward for Liverpool and was eventually substituted by Agger last in second half.
Martin Skrtel: Skrtel was nowhere to be seen and was guilty of giving United too much space in his own box from set pieces, two of which resulted in goals for the home team. Skrtel Lacked sharpness and aggression which were the necessary ingredients
in a clash like this.
Glen Johnson: Every performance of Johnson is a carbon copy of his previous one, mesmeric going forward and pathetic defensively. The story was no different last night, as a 35 year old Welshman in Ryan Giggs got the better of the defender
on each occasion.
Raul Meireles: Raul looked decent on the ball but lacked creativity and flare going forward as he did not do much with his possession. He definitely looked better in the second half when Liverpool switched to 4-4-2 but in the presence of Scholes,
Raul was not allowed to do much.
Christian Poulson: Played some good passes but that was the end of story, another summer signing and another disappointing performance. Like the whole of Liverpool’s midfield, the ex-Juve man also laced creativity and the cutting edge while
going forward.
Maxi Rodriquez: was he even playing?
Steven Gerrard: If there was something good about Liverpool yesterday, it was Steven Gerrard. Deployed in the whole behind the striker Gerrard provided the spark for Liverpool going forward. It was his two goals that brought Liverpool back
into the game.
Joe Cole: Coming back from a three match suspension, Joe Cole was deployed on the left wing but looked very rusty. He did produce a moment or two of individual brilliance in the game but it was never going to be enough and better was expected
of him on such a big night. It was his through pass that resulted in the penalty for Liverpool.
Fernando Torres: Rusty, languid, diabolical and disappointing. If Liverpool were to win at Old Trafford, Torres was to be the chief architect but his anonymity on the pitch made sure of a disappointing night for Liverpool. It was him who
earned both the set pieces that resulted in two goals for Liverpool.
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