With Arsenal beating Brighton & Hove Albion at home and Aston Villa defeating Brentford on away ground in the English Premier League respectively, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool could not afford to drop points against their arch-nemesis Manchester United at Anfield for their own Matchday 17 fixture. Nevertheless, things did not turn out well for Jürgen Klopp’s Reds, since they were left to a goalless stalemate versus the Red Devils despite their total domination in terms of the total number of shots, possession and players. The result meant Liverpool dropped a couple of points and are now the second best team in the English top-flight football after 17 games.
Jürgen Klopp’s Men Failed to Break Down United’s Defence Despite Their 34 Shots and Dalot’s Red Card
Manchester United were without several important first team players for the Liverpool clash, namely skipper Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Anthony Martial, Victor Lindelöf, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martínez, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, etc. for the game, but the injury-plagued lineup were able to withstand the constant bombarding from Jürgen Klopp’s men.
Despite having a total of 34 shots against United’s eight, boasting almost a 70% possession and having one man up due to Diogo Dalot’s red card in the closing stages of the game, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool just could not find a way through to dissect their archrivals’ defence, who had already conceded 21 in their first 16 matches in the league. The Reds failed to capitalise on their many chances at the opponents’ goal, including a Virgil van Dijk header before the half hour mark, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot that just missed the target in the 66th minute, Mohamed Salah’s close-ranged strike in the 70th minute, etc.
United did have their opportunity to break the deadlock, most notably in 67th minute, when Rasmus Højlund was through to the dangerous zone, only to have his shot saved by Alisson Becker. The 20-year-old continued to struggle in front of goal for Manchester United in the Premier League, having not scored or assisted in his 13 games for his new club in the English top-flight football so far. It is worth mentioning that the draw was United’s first in the 2023/2024 English Premier League Season.
For the latest updates in the world of major sports, feel free to click here.
View this post on Instagram
Question: Dalot’s Marching Orders Too Harsh From Michael Oliver?
A talking point in the match between Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United is of course Dalot’s red card resulted from a couple of yellows over his frustrations on a throw in. The 24-year-old was seen acting aggressively after the referee Michael Oliver awarded the throw in to the home side instead, and Dalot continued to show emotions aiming away from the 38-year-old after his first yellow card, but Oliver insisted to give the Portuguese his marching orders. United were left to play the last few minutes of the match with a man down, but they managed to prevail with a goalless draw despite being outnumbered.
Many pundits and commentators have called out Oliver for being too harsh on the yellow cards in quick succession, and believed that the English referee had overreacted towards Dalot’s actions. Manager of the Red Devils ten Hag, in particular, was furious over Oliver’s decision to send one of his players off. The Dutchman unimpressively said: “If I say something about that… Well I’ll leave it. Maybe you can do it [Say something about it].”
You May Also Like: Impressive Bayer 04 Leverkusen Extend Their Lead to 4 Points at the Top of the Bundesliga 1 After a 1-1 Draw Against VfB Stuttgart
Liverpool vs. Arsenal Next in the Premier League
For the next Premier League encounter, Jürgen Klopp’s second-placed Liverpool will remain at home for the summit matchup against league leaders Arsenal. A win in that Sunday fixture will see them returning to the top of the table, while a loss could allow Mikel Arteta’s side building a larger lead; Last season’s champions Manchester City or this season’s surprise package Aston Villa will hope for a draw in the game, which might allow them to close on the gap with the top of the pack or even becoming the new top team in the English top-flight football.
But before the Arsenal clash, Jürgen Klopp’s men will first face West Ham United at home for the EFL Cup Quarterfinal. It is likely that the German gaffer would field a young or second lineup to rest his starters for the blockbuster game against the Gunners.