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Manchester United 2 – 2 Liverpool PL Player Ratings

This Super Sunday encounter comes just two weeks after the Red Devils defeated Liverpool at Old Trafford, as the Anfield giants were knocked out of the FA Cup at the quarter final stage. Revenge was very much on the agenda for the visiting team in the most hotly anticipated contest of this weekend.

Manchester, England, Apr 7th 2024: Conor Bradley of Liverpool and Bruno Fernandes of Man Utd battle for the ball during the Premier League football match between Manchester United, ManU and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, England Will Palmer / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xWillxPalmerx/xSPPx spp-en-WiPaSp-wp070424-1628

The line up and subsequent ratings are listed below.

Caoimhin Kelleher – 6.0
The 25-year-old Irishman started once more after an elite period of form. From the outset, the deputy stopper had so little to do and apart from the disallowed goal, his first half performance mirrored that of a spectator. After the restart, Caoimhin could do nothing for the equaliser or the goal which sent his team behind. The reminder of the game brought much more activity and he was alert till the final bell.

Conor Bradley – 6.0
The young Northern Irishman is the go-to attacking fullback right now and his remit would have been to exploit the areas created as Mohamed Salah moved inside. His energy and proactive play continually unsettled the United defence, as he played more as a winger than a full back in the first half. As the game resumed, the 20-year-old became limited and alarmist predictable as he left the field at 1-1.
Subbed – 65 mins

Andy Robertson- 6.0
The Scotland international skipper was tremendous in his midweek cameo and was always going to start this game. From the opening bell the veteran defender was an option to delivered, yet infective final balls were too often the result. In the second half the former Hull man was as ever an outlet yet failed to deliver what the team needed.

Jarell Quansah – 6.0
The England under-21 international came back into the starting eleven, as the rotation piece beside the club captain. His first half showing was calm and composed as very little needed dealings with. After coming out for the second period the young defender was caught out by his inexperience, as his sloppy pass created the equalizer for Fernandes.

Virgil van Dijk – 7.0
The captain and leader of this team is vital right now and may now begin every game until the close of the campaign. His initial half showing was dominant and commanding as he allowed his teammates to occupy the United half. As the second half resumed the former Celtic defender was authoritative even as his teammates faltered and the game started to slip away.

Alexis Mac Allister – 8.0
The Argentina World Cup winner has been sensational this calendar year and he was always going to resume duties slightly higher up the pitch. His control and quality were very much in effect through a dominant first half, as his team put their boot on the throat of the opposition. As the match resumed, the former Brighton man became more desperate to make something pay off, especially as his team conceded two devastating goals. His level did not really drop even as the inconsistency around him grew.
Man of the match

Wataru Endō – 6.0
The Japan captain came straight back into the side, proving his imperious qualities and importance to the side. The domination of the middle man was allowed due to the constant dependence of this man as he cut out everything that dare encroach him. As the whistle blew to restart the game, so did much of his game, until the equaliser. The game opened and eventually the shield left the field as more attacking options were needed.
Subbed – 69 mins

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.0
The Hungarian skipper was simmering in the opening half of the game as his club mates and he struggled to close out the game, despite the dominance in their play. Too much thrust needed more nuance and low block teams do not tally well with the explosion of the man.
Subbed – 65 mins

Luis Díaz – 7.0
The Colombian flyer was effective and eventually clinical in the opening half, as his endeavour allowed his team to open the scoring from close range. The repeated runs and faltering attempts became too much and despite the goal, more ingenuity was needed.

Darwin Núñez – 6.0
The Uruguayan Raging Bull was lively and powerful through the first half as his team put the sword to their historical English rivals. The assist for the first goal was decisive, however, much of his play was too uncoordinated or inefficient in searching for the next goal.
Subbed – 69 mins

Mohamed Salah – 6.0
The Egyptian King was painfully subdued in the first half, as he plethora of chances were often lazily dispatched in the first half. His game was neither poor nor efficient, as the half dwindled to the break. The equaliser seemed to spark some life back into the record breaking scored, as the game state altered to a more urgent affair. The penalty was superbly taken yet far more is needed.

Subs;

Joe Gomez – 6.0 (on 65)
Came on to offer more power.

Curtis Jones – 6.0 (on 65)
Came on to offer more intelligence.

Harvey Elliott – 7.0 (on 69)
Came on to offer more chaos and won the vital penalty.

Cody Gakpo – 6.0 (on 69)
Came on to offer a different dynamic.

The Manager;
Jürgen Klopp – 6.0
The German manager went with the team that was most appropriate for this game, as caution was considered for Ibou at the centre of the defence. The first half was painfully frustrating as his team was brilliant up until the final shot or pass. The only goal of the was more fortunate than anything else and inevitably the home side scored to equalize with their first attempt.

The first subs were a reaction to the equaliser and lack of confidence in finding the second goal, with the second raft in pure frustration as his team amazingly fell behind. The remainder of the game showed that low blocks not taken advantage of early can come back to bite.

Pre-match Prediction;
Manchester United 2 – 3 Liverpool

Steven Smith

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