Jurgen Klopp had a query of his personal when addressing journalists after on Sunday.
Resisting the temptation to indulge in that nearly definitely put an finish to United’s feint Premier League title problem, he remained level-headed and forged his thoughts again to Liverpool’s earlier goalfest within the early weeks of the season.
“Does anybody know when we won against Bournemouth 9-0 how the next result was?” he requested.
The reply was a 2-1 win over Newcastle, which got here curtesy of Fabio Carvalho’s aim within the eighth minute of added time. That victory got here on Aug. 31. Liverpool did not win once more within the Premier League till Oct. 16, when the group beat Manchester City 1-0.
Klopp’s level: Even huge outcomes imply little except they’re capitalized on.
Liverpool’s downside this season has been an incapacity to provide constant successful runs, which is why a group that competed for 4 trophies final season is combating to safe Champions League qualification this yr.
United’s points have been the alternative.
While Sunday’s end result equaled the largest defeat within the membership’s historical past, it was not the primary time United supervisor Erik ten Hag has been humiliated in his early reign at Old Trafford.
The 4-0 loss to Brentford in solely the second recreation of the season sparked debate about whether or not the Dutchman would maintain his job. Then there was the 6-3 loss to Manchester City in October, which led him to query his gamers’ bravery.
Yet United went into Sunday’s recreation on the again of successful the League Cup and nonetheless in competition for 3 extra titles. That might not be the case with a title problem now doubtless past them after falling 14 factors behind Premier League chief Arsenal, however Ten Hag will hope for an additional rousing response from his gamers to make sure a season that’s nonetheless stuffed with promise doesn’t unravel.
LIVERPOOL’S MOMENTUM
There have been indicators in latest weeks that Liverpool is coming into kind at simply the proper time to salvage a desperately irritating season.
Champions League qualification is now in sight, with Liverpool solely three factors behind fourth-place Tottenham with a recreation in hand and superior aim distinction.
Newcastle is one level behind Liverpool and has performed a recreation fewer, however it’s the Merseyside membership that seems to have the momentum and has additionally been boosted by key gamers coming back from harm.
KLOPP’S FORWARDS
Liverpool’s new look assault produced its most ruthless show in opposition to United as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah scored two objectives every.
Klopp’s success in recent times has been constructed on his attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Salah. Understandably, it has taken time for him to reconstruct his ahead line and Sunday supplied a glimpse of the longer term.
Gakpo’s efficiency, specifically, might have left United regretting the choice not pursue the participant that Ten Hag wished to check in January, following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
CONSISTENCY
On just one event this season has Liverpool managed to place a run of greater than two league wins collectively — a four-game sequence unfold over both facet of the World Cup in November and December.
Since the beginning of 2023, there have been humbling losses in opposition to Brentford, Brighton and Wolverhampton.
Newcastle’s wobbles have opened a path to the highest 4, however Klopp will doubtless want his group to go on an prolonged successful run to capitalize.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE?
The 5-2 loss to Real Madrid final month has left Liverpool with an infinite activity to advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
If the second leg was at Anfield, relatively than the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, then one other well-known European comeback may not have been out of the query for a membership that overturned a 3-0 loss to Barcelona within the semifinals of 2019.
But even whether it is unlikely Madrid will collapse, the win in opposition to United will function a reminder of Liverpool’s risk.
TEN HAG’S TOOLS
After the loss to Brentford, Ten Hag ordered his gamers to return within the subsequent day and run 8.5 miles (about 13.5 kilometers) throughout a British heatwave in August. It was the distinction between the space run by each groups in that match and Ten Hag joined in on the run as a present of unity.
After shedding to City, he publicly referred to as out his gamers and notably left Ronaldo on the bench on the Etihad Stadium.
On each events, Ten Hag acquired the specified impact. United beat Liverpool and Arsenal within the aftermath of Brentford and misplaced just one recreation in 12 within the league after City.
He described the Liverpool loss as unprofessional. Whether that is sufficient to get a response from his gamers will develop into clear within the coming weeks.
WORK IN PROGRESS
The newest humbling was a reminder that Ten Hag remains to be within the strategy of constructing this United group and his squad stays quick in key areas.
It was notable that Gakpo — a participant Ten Hag had focused in January — got here again to hang-out him, whereas mortgage signing Wout Weghorst was ineffective at Anfield.
Games like this additionally underline how a lot United misses the assuredness and creativity of Christian Eriksen, who’s out with an ankle harm.
Ten Hag desires to usher in a prime middle ahead within the offseason, with Harry Kane linked with a transfer from Tottenham. He additionally wants extra cowl in midfield, with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham each admired by United.
TROPHY HOPES
The Premier League title was at all times an extended shot and it now seems to be like a two-horse race between Arsenal and Manchester City.
But the loss to Liverpool would not tremendously change United’s season. Champions League qualification remains to be in its personal arms, whereas the FA Cup and Europa League are there to be received.
United hosts Real Betis within the spherical of 16 of the Europa League on Thursday and faces Fulham at residence within the FA Cup quarterfinals later this month.
After successful the League Cup, one other trophy of any description could be thought-about a significant success alongside a top-four end. ___
James Robson is at
Source: www.anews.com.tr
