Liverpool dominated proceedings, United registered just one shot on target for the entire match but it was enough to earn the visitors a precious victory at Anfield.
Adam Lallana and Emre Can were thwarted by an imperious David de Gea, while Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson came close with a shot that went just wide from an acute angle.
United made the home side pay on 78 minutes when Wayne Rooney broke his Anfield drought and smashed in a shot from close range.
Martial proves his worth
Despite Louis van Gaal’s persistence of playing the young Frenchmen on the wing Martial was the on United attacker playing with purpose and any real penetration. The most expensive teenager in world football looked the most likely to break the deadlock for the visitors, but also demonstrated his defensive work ethic. On a number of occasions he tracked back to help contain the threat of an overlapping Nathaniel Clyne and Liverpool wingers Adam Lallana and James Milner.
One particular intervention prevented a goal-bound shot from Roberto Firmino when he pressed back with intent to dispossess the Brazilian just as he was ready to shoot.
Although he has been criticised for his lack of goals, the 20-year-old is clearly an immense talent and showed his qualities as an all-round attacker once more.
Liverpool’s lack of cutting edge is hurting them dearly
The home side carved out a number of clear-cut opportunities, but could not translate that dominance into any goals. Nineteen shots to 7, but just four on target to a solitary one, it’s fair to say that this was far from a classic encounter between the two sides. However, Liverpool felt aggrieved come the final whistle, as Roberto Firmino – leading the line in a false nine role – and his teammates could not find a desired way past the United rearguard.
The Reds have scored a meagre total of 25 goals in 22 games, which is significantly lower than all of the teams currently occupying top four positions. Compounding their woes is the injuries to strikers Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings and Divock Origi, meaning that the emphasis on goals from non-recognised centre-forwards is hurting their ability to finish off their build up play.
Christian Benteke’s substitution with 10 minutes remaining was far too late and did not allow their second most expensive signing of all-time a genuine chance of growing into the game.
What typified Jurgen Klopp’s team’s woes in front of goal even further was the interjection of Steven Caulker with merely four minutes left to play, operating as a makeshift centre-forward.
United’s defensive stocks are limited
Injuries have plagued van Gaal’s defence throughout the season. Heading into the game United were already missing Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia (winger turned defender) to long-term injuries, while Phil Jones continues to recover from an ankle injury. The injury crisis worsened as Ashley Young limped off in the first half, replaced by 18-year-old Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who held his own in an intimidating environment.
With a number of key and senior figures already missing from the first team Van Gaal may be forced to continue to hand more playing time to the club’s youth products. After finding himself on the bench, Borthwick-Jackson may be set for an extended run in the team with Matteo Darmian moving back to his preferred right-back position. Instead the United manager may look at handing another right-back in Guillermo Varela some more first team experience.
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