Liverpool Do Just Enough To Send United Home Crying

Liverpool against Manchester United.  It rarely matters if there's any stakes.  It's one of the most heated rivalries in the game and always has importance to the supporters, if not the footballing world.

Putting something on the line such as advancing in the Europa League and keeping a Champions League spot alive just adds that extra pepper to an already spicy chili.  This rivalry did not disappoint and produced some entertaining games despite the lack of those very things for both clubs in their league play.

Liverpool dominated at home and won by a reasonably decisive 2-0 score.  United manager, Louis Van Gaal saw it differently, calling each of Liverpool's goals cheap and complaining about officiating.  The Dutchman also saw fit to calmly state his club was looking to tie up the two leg affair but could easily score four, as though they score goals for fun with regularity.

Unfortunately for the Reds, the Red Devils got the momentum of the first goal of the game.  Nathaniel Clyne went for a clumsy challenge in the box and took down Martial, who eventually scored the penalty.

Instead of panicking, Liverpool calmly retaliated.  While United still pushed the ball forward as any team will in any game where there is a bit of ebb and flow, Liverpool had the better of the chances.

Daniel Sturridge banged a beautiful curler off the crossbar on a free kick, but the goal that followed was a real gem.  On the literal last kick before the halftime whistle, Coutinho slipped the tip of the knife between the ribs of United.

The Brazilian took the ball up the wing and cut into the box.  He then got all the way toward the post and just flipped it over the sliding David De Gea, who could do nothing but watch it slide past his ear and into the net.

Liverpool didn't cover themselves in glory, but they did well enough in all aspects.  They defended well, with Sakho doing a very good job in the center.  Offensively, well the second half wasn't quite what it should have been but once that away goal came you somewhat expected that.

The Reds, wearing black in actuality, should have put the game away in the 62nd minute.  Coutinho sliced his way through several defenders and then put the ball wide to Sturridge.  The talented forward further proved what most already knew, in that he has no right foot, by skying a shot 10 yards away from target from in close.

Liverpool also messed up a great chance to close it out in the 75th minute.  Emre Can outraced the defender and smartly laid it back, even though he could have shot.  Coutinho then tried a fake to get around the defender only to shoot it right at De Gea.  As well as he looked on his goal, one expected him to bury that chance too.

Only minutes later Coutinho almost made up for the weak shot by blasting one on target that De Gea got a hand on to push it over the bar.  It seemed destined for Liverpool to create but not finish.
Bastian Schweinsteiger could easily have been given a red for a challenge from behind just outside the box in the 80th minute.  Again though, Liverpool failed to score as Coutinho whipped one well over the goal.

Liverpool kept creating but De Gea was up to the challenge each time except for the one goal.  He stopped Origi twice with only moments to go in the game.  The one goal would last though as United could not pierce the Liverpool defense.

It was a matchup of two English giants who have fallen in recent years, but to each club's supporters it still meant the world.  Liverpool get the bragging rights and United suffers the indignity of crashing out of Europe completely at home at the hands of Liverpool.

Random Thoughts:

- The goal by Liverpool brought up odd feelings.  It was a fantastic cheeky finish and as a fan it got me off my seat.  As a keeper, I've had that feeling that De Gea had.  You think you have the shooter cut off and he has no angle only for it to sneak just by you.

- From a "normal" line of thinking, I was surprised that Jurgen Klopp made offensive for offensive substitutes by putting Origi and Benteke on for Sturridge and Coutinho.  Only Allen was a defensive sub, but still similar in position to Jordan Henderson.  However, seeing Juventus watch their lead evaporate by making defensive subs, I'm glad Klopp knows more about who to put on compared to conventional thinkers.

- I missed the last couple games due to covering basketball tournaments.  In honesty, I was worried I should not have come back when United scored that first goal.  Thankfully I'm still allowed to watch games since Liverpool won the two legs.

Walk On