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Manchester United v Liverpool: Premier League – live!
Manchester United v Liverpool: Premier League – live!
(32 minutes later)
47 min “Surely,” says Sean Doyle, “there’s someone over at Guardian Towers who isn’t a died in wool Man Utd fan to do an unbiased MBM.”
Fraid not. Manchester Guardian, innit. Seriously, though, to which bits do you object?
46 min Peep peep! Liverpool begin the second half.
“Honestly so so sick of the complaining about VAR,” writes Cnoyes. “Get over it. It was NOT a foul on Origi, and it was a handball on Mané. Justice was served. Stop whinging.”
Thanks for clearing that up.
“Those two VAR decisions are entirely consistent with how it’s been used all season,” says Oliver Atkinson. “When there’s something vaguely debatable like a foul they don’t want to overturn the original decision, when there’s something 100% quantifiable like handball or an offside they will overturn it. This may not be right, but it’s consistent.”
Yes, on reflection I think you’re right. To some it was clear and obvious, to others Origi made a meal of the contact and had lost the ball. The problem is with the protocol. God, I am so, so bored of talking about VAR.
VAR department “Elated as I am that the goal was given, VAR is driving me absolutely up the wall,” says Matthew Richman. “The letdown of having to wait for a few guys in a trailer to watch TV absolutely kills the celebration. I’ve been let down by terrible calls before and I understand the arguments for, but I’m wondering if the obsession with a fairness has finally crossed the line.”
The main argument for VAR was that it would remove a sense of injustice from football. In fact, it has increased it. I would get rid of it, but there’s about as much chance of that as there is of somebody putting the internet back in its box.
Mane’s ‘goal’ A few of you have written to say it should have been given because his hand was not in an unnatural position. But the new law says that all goals will be disallowed if the ball hits the scorer’s hand, regardless of context, in the build-up.
Peep peep! Manchester United deservedly lead, although Marcus Rashford’s goal should probably have been disallowed by VAR. Liverpool have been very poor by their stratospheric standards, and so far have been outfought and outthought. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 3-4-1-2 system, with split strikers, has worked brilliantly. The manner in which Jurgen Klopp ran straight down the touchline suggests they will play far better in the second half.
45+1 min Pereira wins a corner after a slick move involving James and the increasingly superb Rashford.
45 min There will be one minute of added time.
NO GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool There’s no argument with this one. The ball hit Mane’s hand as he controlled a long ball forward. The rest was excellent; he muscled Lindelof aside and slid the ball past de Gea.
Yes, it’s handball, so this will be disallowed.
Mane equalises and now United are appealing for handball!
42 min The more you see the replay of the goal, the more it looks like a - yep - clear and obvious foul on Origi.
41 min For all the occasional frustrations of watching Marcus Rashford, his big-game record is outstanding.
39 min In accordance with the current VAR protocol, it was the right decision to award the goal, but I also think eight out of 10 neutrals would say that was a foul on Origi.
The goal itself was lovely. James ran into space down the right and curled a brilliant pass/cross between the keeper and defenders. Rashford lost Matip with a beautiful double-run, shaping to move towards the near post before pulling in the opposite direction, and forced the bouncing ball past Alisson from close range.
GOAL GIVEN!
Jurgen Klopp is fuming. It looked like a foul from Lindelof on Origi, but it didn’t pass the clear-and-obvious test.
I think this will be disallowed.
Rashford gives United the lead but Liverpool think there was a foul in the build-up!
36 min De Gea makes a better save from Firmino’s header, but he’d been flagged offside.
34 min De Gea makes a good save from Firmino after a smart break from Liverpool. Matip swept a fine long pass out to Mane on the right. He kept the ball in, charged down the wing and then cut the ball back perfectly for Firmino to strike first time on the run from 15 yards. He didn’t really get hold of it, however, and de Gea plunged to his right to make an ultimately comfortable save.
32 min As with Everton yesterday, United’s performance suggests the manager certainly hasn’t lost the dressing-room.
31 min Young goes down after taking Henderson’s hand in his face. It was accidental.
31 min Young goes down after taking Henderson’s hand in his face. It was accidental.
30 min Henderson’s flat cross is volleyed wide from 12 yards by the stretching Firmino. It was a quarter-chance at best.
30 min Henderson’s flat cross is volleyed wide from 12 yards by the stretching Firmino. It was a quarter-chance at best.
29 min Wan-Bissaka is having a terrific game. Whatever happens at United in the next few years, and all bets are off, it should be a long time before they need to scout another right-back, never mind 800.
29 min Wan-Bissaka is having a terrific game. Whatever happens at United in the next few years, and all bets are off, it should be a long time before they need to scout another right-back, never mind 800.
28 min A brilliant cross from Wan-Bissaka is serenely cleared by van Dijk at the near post. That was a vital bit of defending.
28 min A brilliant cross from Wan-Bissaka is serenely cleared by van Dijk at the near post. That was a vital bit of defending.
27 min Rashford, on the left, zips away from Henderson and then Matip in the area, only to mistime his attempted cutback towards James. It was a lovely run, though, and he’s looked sharp in the last 10 minutes. United are playing with split strikers, as they did to good effect when Solskjaer was caretaker manager.
27 min Rashford, on the left, zips away from Henderson and then Matip in the area, only to mistime his attempted cutback towards James. It was a lovely run, though, and he’s looked sharp in the last 10 minutes. United are playing with split strikers, as they did to good effect when Solskjaer was caretaker manager.
25 min McTominay takes matters into his hands, marauding forward from midfield before hitting a low shot from 25 yards that is comfortably saved by Alisson. It was a good run but a fairly tame shot.
25 min McTominay takes matters into his hands, marauding forward from midfield before hitting a low shot from 25 yards that is comfortably saved by Alisson. It was a good run but a fairly tame shot.
25 min The game is too important to feel boring, but if this was Mansfield v Swindon we’d be calling it a stinker.
25 min The game is too important to feel boring, but if this was Mansfield v Swindon we’d be calling it a stinker.
24 min “Hi Rob,” says Julian Smith. “I stumbled across this today. Great doc about the history of the rivalry between these two great cities and the mutual respect that we hopefully now acknowledge between each other (grudgingly no doubt). We’re closer than either side would now care to admit. Of course, you won’t have a chance to watch while there’s so much action going on but Merseyside/GM reds should appreciate it (even though it’s an LFCTV production).”
24 min “Hi Rob,” says Julian Smith. “I stumbled across this today. Great doc about the history of the rivalry between these two great cities and the mutual respect that we hopefully now acknowledge between each other (grudgingly no doubt). We’re closer than either side would now care to admit. Of course, you won’t have a chance to watch while there’s so much action going on but Merseyside/GM reds should appreciate it (even though it’s an LFCTV production).”
It’s interesting that nobody (as far as I’m aware) has written a book about the rivalry. There are plenty, for example, on Barcelona and Real Madrid, though I realise that’s a bigger, broader rivalry.
It’s interesting that nobody (as far as I’m aware) has written a book about the rivalry. There are plenty, for example, on Barcelona and Real Madrid, though I realise that’s a bigger, broader rivalry.
23 min I’d be tempted to switch Mane back to his usual position on the left. Liverpool haven’t really threatened yet, despite looking the calmer, classier side.
22 min Young’s corner is punched away by Alisson.
21 min Rashford leaves van Dijk on all fours and finds Pereira, whose shot deflects wide for a corner. Young will take it.
21 min United break through Rashford, whose attempted through pass to James is blocked by Matip. It wasn’t a great pass.
20 min Andy Robertson’s cross is cleared by Maguire as far as ... Robertson, who storms forward to win the ball himself. I love watching him so much. He’s an elemental force.
19 min “It’s coming,” says Mary Waltz. “Liverpool is starting to control the midfield. United is dropping back. United is being reduced to knocking it long and hoping. A Liverpool goal, like Winter, is coming.”
Henry?
17 min Wan-Bissaka plays a good pass into the area for Pereira, whose speculative backheel goes through to Alisson with no United forwards in sight. Gary Neville makes the valid point that James and Rashford have both been pretty static so far.
17 min The match is starting to settle into the expected pattern, with Liverpool dominating possession. Marcus Rashford is already starting to look a bit hacked off.
15 min Maguire drives a crossfield pass straight out of play. It’s been a good start from United in terms of aggression and endeavour, but not quality in possession.
13 min Liverpool are starting to stir as an attacking force. Wijnaldum neatly slips both McTominay and Fred before hitting a low shot from 25 yards that is comfortably saved by de Gea.
12 min Pereira leads a promising attack, sees Wan-Bissaka in space on the right ... and then mishits a miserable shot from 25 yards that is claimed by Alisson.
10 min Liverpool’s first decent attack. Mane heads the ball down nicely for Firmino, who surges into the area on the left before slicing a half-volley miles wide.
9 min A dangerous free-kick from Pereira on the right is supeerbly defended by Robertson at the near post. Had he missed that, Rashford would have had a clear shot from 10 yards.
9 min “Afternoon Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “Matt Dony should count his blessings. Maybe being a Liverpool and Wales fan ain’t so bad, when you could be, say, a Dundee United and Scotland fan (wins over San Marino don’t count). Even Gerwyn Price is going further in the darts than Gary Anderson these days. Although one of the year’s more heart-warming stories involves the incomparable Andy Murray, who is currently giving it a right go in the final of the European Open in Antwerp. He’ll lose, but still ...”
8 min This has been a really aggressive start from United, summed up by a late shoulder charged by Pereira on van Dijk. Liverpool haven’t got going yet.
5 min United are pressing much higher than expected, with Young and Wan-Bissaka playing as genuine wing-backs for now. A decent cross from Young - rocking up on the right in open play for some reason - flashes across goal.
3 min I take it back: United are playing a 3-4-1-2, with Pereira closer to the influential Fabinho.
2 min Young lobs a good ball down the left to Rashford, who runs at Matip but then picks the wrong option with a nothing cross that is easily cleared.
2 min Sadio Mane has started on the right for Liverpool, with Origi on the left. United’s formation looks like a 3-3-2-2, with McTominay deeper than Fred and Pereira.
1 min Peep peep! United, in red, kick off from left to right. Liverpool are in white, chasing an 18th consecutive victory.
“Jonathan Wilson has a point that United might be looking at Klopp and saying ‘What if?’,” says Peter Oh, ‘but the teamsheet suggests that they looked at Klopp, swallowed dryly and commanded Ole to ‘PUT FIVE AT THE BACK!!!’.”
The players emerge to the usual sound of This Is the One by the Stone Roses. It’s time for business.
Jose Mourinho, on Sky Sports, has just said “it’s very, very rare that magic tactics win a game”. Everything we know is wrong.
Paul Pogba is at Old Trafford, limping around with a walking stick.
“I’m currently waiting for a flight from Brasilia to Rio on Gol Airlines before heading home to London on Norwegian Air,” says Chris Hall. “I’m not entirely sure what it all means but with three Brazilians in my team today, even with no Salah, surely a 0-0 isn’t on the cards?”
Well, three of the last six league games have ended goalless. It’s not beyond the realms, especially with United playing an 5-3-0-0-0-0-2 formation. But I’d expect Liverpool to win maybe 2-0 or 3-0. It’s not like you’re on Golless Airlines, is it.
“I really, really did not enjoy this morning, Rob,” says our Wales/Liverpool fandom correspondent Matt Dony. “The rugby took several years off my life expectancy. I’m very keen for this afternoon to be less tight and less stressful. Five or six early Liverpool goals to settle the nerves would be useful.”
Surely this morning was a reminder me that late victories are all the preceding misery?
Axel Tuanzebe has been injured in the warm-up. Marcos Rojo replaces him and Phil Jones moves to the bench. This is the revised team news.
Manchester United (possible 5-3-2) de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Rojo, Young; Fred, McTominay, Pereira; James, Rashford.Substitutes: Romero,
Manchester United must be tempted to look at Jürgen Klopp and wonder: what if? | Jonathan Wilson
Jürgen Klopp dismisses ‘insulting’ coverage of Manchester United’s travails
Debt £511m but dividends galore: the Glazers’ legacy at Manchester United | David Conn
David de Gea is fit for Manchester United, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka returns in what looks like a back five. Anthony Martial is on the bench. United could also play with a diamond, with Axel Tuanzebe in midfield and Andreas Pereira on Fabinho.
Liverpool are without Mo Salah, who is injured, so Divock Origi comes in. Alisson returns to the starting line-up.
Manchester United (possible 5-3-2) de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Maguire, Young; Fred, McTominay, Pereira; James, Rashford.Substitutes: Romero, Rojo, Williams, Garner, Mata, Greenwood, Martial.
Hello. Manchester United v Liverpool is a fixture so big it deserves its own Blackadder simile. And this one feels even bigger than usual. The context of today’s match can be summarised by a number and a football season.
The number is 18. If Liverpool win today, they will equal Manchester City’s English record of 18 consecutive league wins, and move three points closer to finally adding to their 18 league titles.
The season is 1989-90. That’s when Liverpool last won the title, and when United last had such a bad start to the season. A corollary of those is that it was also the last time Liverpool came to Old Trafford as such overwhelming favourites. In March 1990 they won 2-1 and scored three goals – two from John Barnes and an absurd own-goal from Ronnie Whelan.
That game was 16th vs 2nd in the table; today it’s 14th v 1st, and Liverpool are odds-on with every bookmaker we could find during an admittedly cursory internet search. They don’t win often at Old Trafford – eight times in the last 50 visits – but those victories are intrinsically memorable. There have been five in the Premier League era, three Danny Murphys from 2000-04 and two routs in 2008-09 and 2013-14. The last of those, a 3-0 humiliation that almost propelled Liverpool to the title, is a potential precedent for today.
An experienced United side threw the towel in that afternoon. If something similar happens here, the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may become unbearable. It’s unlikely, but not entirely beyond the realms, that Liverpool could get a United manager sacked for the second consecutive season.
But there are some precedents in United’s favour, football being a funny old game and all. Ten years ago this weekend, United went to Anfield with Liverpool in turmoil. The beach-ball goal at Sunderland made them a laughing stock, they were on a run of four straight defeats and it was open season on Rafael Benitez.
A cautious United missed the chance to put a nervous Liverpool away, and a rousing second-half performance gave Liverpool a 2-0 victory. And although Benitez left in the summer anyway, that win ultimately helped deny United a record fourth consecutive title.
United have already helped deny Liverpool one title, with that dogged 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in February, and would probably give up their entire roster of official partners for a statement victory today. Liverpool will be happy with any old record-equalling win, but they’d love to humiliate United if possible.
