[marukomu]

Right. That's over. All the doom and gloom about how we're going to get stuffed was wrong.
Confidence will still be okay, so let's build on it.

 

[Attila]

Interesting that Tony Marshall wasn't even on the bench tonight.
Was this injury related?

Knee injury

 

[Giggs86]

Just to add some context, Coutinho and Firmino had been away with Brazil on international duty so I think that may have had something to do with it, considering they were two of the players pulling up with cramp. I think Rashford and Milner were the other two, although I wasn't sure if they were injuries or not.

Wasn't aware of that. Regardless, this high pressing game will take it's toll eventually. It may work in Germany with the winter break, but the PL is a different story. Will be really interesting to see how the table shapes up comes Christmas.

 

[Mitser]

Knee injury

Thanks mate

 

[Dumbstar]

I thought that we needed to get four out of six from these two games so I agree. Dropping points against Stoke was a bad misstep. We would be one behind the last wonder of the world if we had beat them

My guy did it...you would have been twelvty points ahead.

 

[noodlehair]

Wasn't aware of that. Regardless, this high pressing game will take it's toll eventually. It may work in Germany with the winter break, but the PL is a different story. Will be really interesting to see how the table shapes up comes Christmas.

Not sure it'll take it's toll as such as they don't have a hectic schedule and if the players are fit enough it just shouldn't. Other teams have done it in the past.

What was interesting though is how poorly they coped with being pressed themselves. We weren't even pressing high we were pressing after the ball came out of their defence...so supposedly when it was with their more accomlished players at keeping the ball. Yet they just presnted it back to us with alarming ease and only really stopped when WE dropped off.

A lot of football is momentum, confidence etc. and players like Mane who've looked really good so far this season, suddenly looked average when we were forcing them to actually earn the right to impose themselves.

I just think overall we answered some question marks that were hanging over us, while Liverpool created a few qquestion marks over themselves...but you can't take too much from a one off game. Especially not Liverpool at Anfield, considering we'd often rock up there when we had a team of world beaters and look like a pub side...while Liverpool when we have won there have usually excelled in beating themselves. It's just not really a fixture to judge much on, usually.

 

[pascell]

Our defence and midfield were really up for it tonight and it was great to see. We just lacked and output going forward, players like Martial would've given us more chance on the counter.

 

[NinjaZombie]

Herrera was excellent. My man of the match. A draw is a decent results considering the situation.

I'm left wondering what would things be like if we had Mkhitaryan in good form and available for selection instead of Young on the right wing.

 

[peridigm]

Pleased with the performance. Thought either team deserved a goal. A score draw would have been more indicative of the play. We were storming in the first 20 minutes then let them get more into it. Herrera was excellent.

I want to see us with Shaw back at LB and Blind as DM with Herrera and Pogba in more advanced MF.

 

[LLMU]

Decent result and solid performance.

 

[SalfordRed1960]

Just read a goal.com report where apparently we continuously fouled Liverpool to stop their rythm. I know the author is a scouser, but is that what really happened. Sounds like the old Gooner cry babies, they didn't let us play, they bullied us, those bad Mancs.

 

[Wade3]

I though we controlled the game in the first half and we're wasteful going forward, which was the main reason for our lack of clear chances.
In the second half we were pushed back a bit but still fended Liverpool off while having opportunities on the counter that we yet again blew. The game was there for the taking.

 

[ghagua]

Not sure how to describe that performance. It was a battling display, but the attacking from United was a shite show. Apart from that cross by Pogba, there was nothing else.

 

[sglowrider]

The squad is work in progress for Mourinho. He has learnt something about this team today. You always start with firming up your defence first. I think he has more trust in them now as opposed to the City match. They all put in a shift -- not seen this many players cramped-up so early in the season on a coolish night before.
The next part pf the development is building up the attack. That will take time. Martial would have been a welcomed addition in the 2nd half to soak up the attack and then hit on the break.
I think its a good step forward.

 

[ash_86]

Caught up with the game later and thought we did pretty good. Liverpool had the ball and did pretty much nothing except a few shots that worked up DDG a little. SAF always believed in building from the back and Mourinho is doing the same. We were missing Martial and Miki , who could've helped us be more lethal in the counter. Overall i felt the point is more valuable to us than them , especially with the string of horrid games ahead of us and defeat would've killed us.

 

[Red Dreams]

Jose was determined not to lose. We controlled most of the match and got the point he wanted. Still I expect us to be above the scum when we meet in Jan.

 

[AkaAkuma]

The squad is work in progress for Mourinho. He has learnt something about this team today. You always start with firming up your defence first. I think he has more trust in them now as opposed to the City match. They all put in a shift -- not seen this many players cramped-up so early in the season on a coolish night before.
The next part pf the development is building up the attack. That will take time. Martial would have been a welcomed addition in the 2nd half to soak up the attack and then hit on the break.
I think its a good step forward.

Who was getting cramp?

 

[sglowrider]

Who was getting cramp?

Rashford, Smalling and another plus a couple of Liverpool players.

 

[LilWayneHQ]

We'll get 3 points in the home leg.

 

[Pscholes18]

Saw Fellini and Young in starting 11 and thought we'd be fecked. Mourinho got it right..we controlled the first half....needed Mata in there but that was never going to happen. Draw is a good result...Rashford was shite, Pogba....ffs if thats what 90 mil gets us off back to Italy...he needs to put in more of an effort..day late and a buck short for him always coming in late on plays.....shite match to watch....I hate watching United play that way. Ibra....up on top on his own...never had much help....can't fault him for anything, did what he could although like Pogba he looks a bit lazy at times. Herrera should be auto starter for rest of the season. He continues to put in good performances. Miki needs to get a string of games and starting jelling with the team. He can only help.

 

[PaulRich]

I didn't see anything in Liverpool to suggest they're nothing but a mediocre mid table team enjoying a run of good results. Defensively we were immense. We've got the best keeper in the world, I don't care what people say. We were good in the middle - the inclusion of Fellaini actually worked. Herrera had an absolute blinder. Rashford assured if unspectacular. Young put a good shift in. BUT Pogba still looks off pace and Zlatan just looked leg heavy and slow. I thought we might have benefited from some earlier subs.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Just read an article that said some Norwegian Sports channel had a 12 hour build up show for this match. Is that right @Red Katie ?

 

[ants7]

Are you a Utd fan?

Fair enough if you have an inconvenient time zone....but did you honestly just stay up due to the marketing?

Of course I'm a fan and I'll stay up next time to see us losing against MK Dons. It's just that it was talked about as the jesus coming down to earth when in reality there wasn't much to it. I feel sorry for the neutrals.

 

[dogwithabone]

I thought we were excellent. Bossed much of the game bar the odd five minutes here and there that'd you'd expect a team like Liverpool to have at home.

We just needed that little bit of craft and composure around the edge of their box but not many, if any, will go to Anfield this season and look as strong and resilient as we did. We basically limited them to one or two half chances in the box and a couple of pot shots from distance.

Notable performances from De Gea (only touched the ball twice of note but were crucial saves). Bailly, Valencia and Herrera.

 

[Catt]

Just read an article that said some Norwegian Sports channel had a 12 hour build up show for this match. Is that right @Red Katie ?

Yes, from 9 am. I was at work so didn't watch.

 

[::sonny::]

Good performance

 

[gica_7]

Even though a very low possession, I think we were in charge of the game. Apart from some moments in the second half, I never felt intimidated. But the problem was, it felt like there was a curtain between our attackers, and the defenders. None of our attackers played at their natural levels. I know it is difficult to create something when you are trying to attack with a limited number of players against pool, but they still could have done more. Yet, if Zlatan managed to put that header in, we would have been celebrating the win now.

I was frustrated with Pogba. But anytime he had the ball, he was pressured by 2 players, at least. I think he is still trying to capture his form due to the tiring affects of Euros, but we need him and we need him sooner than later.

 

[whatagoodname]

Herrera was excellent last night. really impressed.

I was actually pretty impressed with Pogba, was always going to be hard for him to influence in an attacking sense, but was really disciplined defensively.

That first half was just terrible from us... Honestly difficult to watch. Our second touch was pretty much a tackle for most of the half.

 

[whatagoodname]

Enjoyed watching Klopp struggling to explain in post match interview why his team couldn't perform....you got schooled by Jose mate!

Get a win against Fenerbhace and go to the Bridge with another disciplined performance, and hopefully Zlatan finds the net this time!

Really? i thought he was completely honest?

 

[RedDevil@84]

Some papers talking about exceptional performance by Anthony Taylor. Hilarious!!!

 

[Wooly Red]

Zzzzzzz. I should've placed a tenner on 0-0 after calling it.

 

[minoo-utd]

Watching Herrera playing with such passion was the best thing at the game.

 

[sugar_kane]

Outside of it being a decent performance and a fine result for us, I hope beyond the game this dents Liverpool's confidence somewhat.

I think many expected them to batter us and we made them look distinctly average at home last night, in a game they should have been fired up for more than any other.

 

[theyneverlearn]

The team did exactly what was asked of them.

We could have knicked it towards the end, but we could just have easily lost it. Taking a point from this Liverpool team is fantastic.

Pogba and Ibra were isolated further forward, but that was needed to stunt the Liverpool attack. Hoping that either of the two could create something special to win it, which almost happened as Pogba created our best chance, shame Ibra couldn't put a finish to the cross.

I'm very happy, couldn't care less about possession stats and the like, just happy the team came together as they did, worked hard for the manager and each other, and got a deserved point.

 

[CS@SG]

I didn't see anything in Liverpool to suggest they're nothing but a mediocre mid table team enjoying a run of good results. Defensively we were immense. We've got the best keeper in the world, I don't care what people say. We were good in the middle - the inclusion of Fellaini actually worked. Herrera had an absolute blinder. Rashford assured if unspectacular. Young put a good shift in. BUT Pogba still looks off pace and Zlatan just looked leg heavy and slow. I thought we might have benefited from some earlier subs.

Did Zlatan gave up his off days during international break to train extra? I would rather he did not.

 

[Untied]

Outside of it being a decent performance and a fine result for us, I hope beyond the game this dents Liverpool's confidence somewhat.

I think many expected them to batter us and we made them look distinctly average at home last night, in a game they should have been fired up for more than any other.

It provides a blueprint for frustrating them as well. Slow the game down. Don't pass out from the back so they cannot press you in your own half.

 

[Witchking]

Herrera and Pogba are the best players United have right now. The spine should be Rashford, Pogba, Bailly, De Gea. Build a team around that spine with Herrera, Martial, Mkhi, Blind, Valendia and Shaw. Mata at number 10. Now we have a brillaint pacey attacking team with great passing ability.

 

[Klopper76]

It provides a blueprint for frustrating them as well. Slow the game down. Don't pass out from the back so they cannot press you in your own half.

People said the same thing about Burnley. Other teams won't be as organised as United were last night. Hopefully we won't be as bad as we were in that first half either. I hate that we've got Pullis to come up against next though.

 

[Fully Fledged]

When did we turn into Sunderland? This type of performance is one of the reasons I didn't want Jose in the first place.

 

[GlasgowRedz]

Superb performance defensively, but it was at the expense of being a force in an attacking sense. In theory we had the power and pace around Ibra to cause them problems but too often Rashford and Young were too far away from Ibra to link up with him. Still a bit of work to do in terms of getting that balance between solid defence and effective attack but I think that will come.

Having said that, Ibra's hold up play was non existant and he really needs to start holding onto the ball in these sorts of games if we're going to have any chance of winning them. Granted it's difficult when he's controlling the ball and he's only got Pogba as an option as Rashford and Young were still getting up to support him.

Pogba was ok, just seemed to be crowded out whenever he got on the ball in the final third, but it's games like this you want players like him to make the difference in. It's why we bought him. Ibra really should have buried that chance Pogba created for him though.

Overall I think i'm quite satisfied with the performance, all the things we got wrong in the first half against City we got right last night. The downside being the lack of cutting edge up front but I think that will come.