Liverpool absolutely dominated their arch-rivals Manchester United today 3-1 in a match that honestly left many observers and pundits wondering- could it really be 4-1 or 5-1 before all is said and done? Liverpool now stay top of the table, having beaten United at home for the first time since 2013.
They did so in very convincing fashion. How convincing? Just look at this statistic below:
https://twitter.com/FootballFunnnys/status/1074365516075155457
For the United version of the news and notes from this game go to this link
When your opponent gets your number of shots, squared- that’s bad! When a defensive minded manager starts five defenders and still gives up 36 shots- that’s even worse!
United made Liverpool look like they were playing a Championship side in the EFL Cup, and they made Xherdan Shaqiri look like Ronaldo, as the Swiss didn’t miss…out on his opportunity to be the hero, coming on in the 70′ for Naby Keita and bagging a brace.
His first goal meant that all 11 outfield players for Liverpool at that point had registered at least one shot attempt. His second goal gave him the status as the first Liverpool player to score twice against United at home since 2011.
https://twitter.com/Oliver__Bond/status/1074357697041051648
Yet the Alpine Messi super sub wasn’t even the man of the match. Midfielder Fabinho put in what was arguably the best performance of the game for the hosts, and wherever you see individual player ratings for this match, you will probably see Fabinho achieving the highest rating.
He set up Sadio Mane for the Reds first goal. The only real dark spot for Liverpool today was this horrible gaffe by Alisson. (Made worse by “Titanic” museum, of course). The Brazilian just did not have a good game tonight.
Everything is 10x worse for Alison with Titanic music. #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/CUTnUV03nt
— Tom Bola (@ThomasPotions) December 16, 2018
You knew Reds boss Jurgen Klopp would have an animated, emotional reaction to a big win like this and he did not disappoint. Here is his pump fist celebration of the win. Today’s result though isn’t accurately reflected by the 3-1 scoreline.
Liverpool looked so much more talented and deep than their opponents, and a two goal differential doesn’t really reflect the chasm that exists between the two sides.
Boss.? pic.twitter.com/efagUc5yW8
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 16, 2018
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.