Ste McGovern
The bitter rivalry of Manchester United and Liverpool yet again failed to produce a memorable match, and the footballing public are as bored as ever of the over-hyped biannual event following Sunday’s goalless draw.
For the first time in a long time a meeting between Manchester United and Liverpool was really relevant: the latter are in the midst of a title challenge, while the former are challenging for a place in the top four following an excellent run of form under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
As ever the game was hyped up beyond oblivion by Sky Sports — THE HOME OF FOOTBALL — in the lead-up to Sunday’s kick-off, despite the overwhelming body of evidence that this fixture does not entertain the masses. Before Sunday, four of the last six Premier League meetings between the two had ended in boring draws. Indeed, one has to go back almost a decade to recall a true “classic”.
Even the four goal scoreline from last December’s contest at Anfield belies the fact that it wasn’t much of a game at all, with Jose Mourinho’s side clearly outmatched by the Reds. The Special One’s exit from Old Trafford following that result hasn’t done much to improve the fare on show, the ‘action’ on the field during Sunday’s 0-0 draw doing little to warrant the hype and emotion off of it.
Jurgen Klopp summed the whole affair up best on the final whistle:
Klopp: “Fucking hell, what a shit game!” https://t.co/5NxOSQDfJE
— Liverpool FC Vines (@LFC_Vines) February 24, 2019
Although no one was more upset by the result than Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness, apparently:
Poor Graeme Souness, obviously not happy with Liverpool dropping points and Pogba having a decent game. pic.twitter.com/Dhq6bCFHIY
— Alex Goulden (@alex_goulden12) February 24, 2019
It was something of an odd game, with United being forced to use up all of their substitutions before half-time. Liverpool also had to make a first-half sub, with Roberto Firmino coming off for Daniel Sturridge in the 31st minute.
Matic and Martial unable to play. Herrera, Mata and Lingard all gone before half-time. Rashford a passenger for most of the game, Lukaku a hole in the ground. And yet United should still have won. Such a strange match.
— Jonathan O'Brien (@obrien_jonathan) February 24, 2019
Juan Mata (Jesse Lingard 25 (Alexis Sanchez 43 (Diogo Dalot 55 (Sergio Romero 65 (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 73 (Sir Matt Busby 82 (Fred 90)))))))
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) February 24, 2019
That meant they were as many subs as they were shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, and onlookers were no more impressed by the second-half either. And almost all of the ire was directed at the away side, primarily Klopp for not figuring a way through the opposition.
Dismal Liverpool performance. Created nothing. Given the circumstances, very impressive from Manchester United.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) February 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/Malone_713/status/1099699001362968578
Poor decision making time and again. Poor execution time and again. Poor tempo. All tension?
— Paul Little (@little_football) February 24, 2019
Klopp is bringing on Origi as he goes to Plan C, which is Slice The Ball Onto The Crossbar And Hope De Gea Makes A Hash Of It
— Huw Davies (@thehuwdavies) February 24, 2019
Not a great look for Klopp, this. It's like the injury carnage on the United team has frazzled his and the Liverpool players' brains.
— Cian Carroll (@CianByNature) February 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheM_L_G/status/1099699022414123013
Van Dijk is so damn good. He hardly ever seems bothered by attackers. He's more often frustrated at his teammates for failing in their assignments.
— Zito (@_Zeets) February 24, 2019
One of those games which shows why Liverpool were keen to sign Nabil Fekir in the summer. Crying out for a central player to get on the ball.
— Gavin Cooney (@gcooney93) February 24, 2019
The fact that Liverpool's Front Three so very rarely look like what Liverpool's Front Three are meant to look like is something that at some point is going to have to be addressed.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) February 24, 2019
Sky Sports executives: "That's it. We have to stop over-hyping these Man United vs Liverpool games; they're always terrible"
Narrator: "But they wouldn't stop."
— Ronan Mullen (@RonanReigns) February 24, 2019
Despite the performance, some Liverpool fans chose to look on the bright side.
A point that puts Liverpool top and takes United out of the top 4. My beer will taste ok tonight
— Dean Van Nguyen (@deanvannguyen) February 24, 2019
Ok – the plus side is that we are top of the table. That's no bad by any means. Odd game.
— Paul Little (@little_football) February 24, 2019
Best thing about today was our epic high line defending. Not much else to add to that though. ?Ah well top of the league. Up the fooking reds #LFC ?⚽️?
— Anthony Kelly (@footieblog14) February 24, 2019
The game is probably best summed up by the New York Times’ football correspondent Rory Smith:
That is, ultimately, a good result for Liverpool. Top by a point, with City still to go to Old Trafford. But the circumstances couldn't have been more favourable, and they produced a performance best described as really quite bad. Funny team.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) February 24, 2019
Liverpool remain top of the table, but their confidence to go all the way will have taken another beating this afternoon. Meanwhile, the wait for a bout between them and United that actually meets expectations goes on.