In the famed Anfield atmosphere of a European-night, Liverpool took a comfortable 2-0 lead after a rampant display against their fiercest rivals.
In a tie that seemed like fate giving the people their due entertainment, Liverpool hosted arch-rivals Manchester United in the first tie of their Europa league round of 16 clash, in front of a raucous, deafening Anfield crowd who were desperate to see Liverpool defeat their rivals for the first time in five meetings. Preluding the match, both trophy-laden sides had played in 327 European fixtures, and Liverpool look to be the ones to extend that run further after an emphatic display.
The atmosphere was a defining factor from the outset; as Liverpool recovered from an early United chance to heap the pressure and dominate Louis van Gaal’s side. The reward was reaped on the 20th minute, when Nathanial Clyne was sent surging into the box after a Roberto Firmino pass, and was brought down by a clumsy Memphis Depay challenge. Daniel Sturridge converted the penalty, and Liverpool were a goal up.
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If not for the inspired performance of David de Gea, that goal could’ve been quadrupled. He got his hand to a Phillipe Coutinho chance from mere metres away, and parried an Adam Lallana strike above his head.
Indeed it looked like United would escape with a mere goal deficit thanks to their Spaniard between the sticks; but in-form man Roberto Firmino once again showed his potential and class, putting a finish to Adam Lallana’s pass after a Michael Carrick error.
Marouane Fellaini could have a retrospective ban put in place following his apparent elbow to Emre Can’s head just a minute from time. The act; which went largely unnoticed by the referee, is likely to see Fellaini miss the return leg at Old Trafford upon UEFA reflection.
Almost the perfect night at Anfield
Famed for their European nights; this was bound to be as electric as any Europa League tie ever has been, and Anfield put on a show as their side ran the old enemy off of the park.
Louis van Gaal said of the Reds’ performance “We could not deal with the pressure of Liverpool, we could not escape from them in the first half.”, and Jurgen Klopp’s high octane strategy worked a charm, as his side played Manchester United off of the park. As the Kop boomed their approval, and the stadium erupted for Roberto Firmino’s strike on 73 minutes, and the Reds’ defence kept all of United’s attacks at bay; Jurgen Klopp looked a very happy man.
Lallana and Firmino run the show
Dazzling footwork, chance after chance created and the relentless pressure that makes defenders very shaky indeed, the attacking duo of Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino were tremendous all night. Two players who fit Jurgen Klopp’s all-action, all-intensity style like a glove, Lallana and Firmino put on a clinic of quick touches and dynamic movement. The pair combined in a sequence of passes to set up the penalty, and directly contributed to the second goal; Lallana providing the assist to Firmino’s finish. Lallana created more chances by himself than United did as a team, and both had their highlight reel of skill moves too, but their most prevalent traits were their immense work off the ball. Even on the 87th minute, David de Gea and United’s back three couldn’t find a way out of their own box, as Lallana, Firmino and Origi pegged them in.
David de Gea Proves as Important as Ever
Were it not for the Spanish stalwart between the sticks, Old Trafford could have been the site of a non-factor game; should the lead have been too much to handle. Though their performance didn’t suggest much in the way of fight; United do still have a chance, and it’s due to their man in goal’s admirable performance. Denying Phillipe Coutinho’s close range effort, Lallana’s blazing volley and Nathanial Clyne’s long-range effort meant the score would be kept at two, as United look to claw back that deficit at Old Trafford in a week’s time.
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