The system is not the problem – Amorim defeats Liverpool

Maybe Ruben Amorim is right after all. The Manchester United coach was stubborn and said numerous times that his 3-4-3 tactics is good and that he will not change it even if it means he will be sacked and today he proved that he was right. United couldn‘t win an away match since the start of the season but they they did it tonight in most spectacular fashion – at Anfield against the current champion: Liverpool – Manchester United 1-2. Last season it was all heaven for Arne Slot but now he became the first manager after Brendan Rodgers in 2014 who allowed four consecutive defeats. The honeymoon is all but over.

The old saying ‘what goes around comes around‘ is perfect for Liverpool‘s recent slumps. They actually haven‘t played well at all but managed few lucky wins in September and now it‘s coming back. They were better team than United, had three crossbars, numerous chances, one-on-one opportunities and still scored only one goal, while United took all three points. Against pacey Liverpool attack everybody expected Leny Yoro instead of Harry Maguire but Amorim took the risk and it worked – the England international scored the winner in the 84th minute. On the other hand, after a series of bad results, Slot decided to leave his new signings worth over 200 million pounds on the bench and only Alexander Isak started the match while Frimpong, Ekitike and Wirtz remained on the bench. It didn‘t work and a free agent Federico Chiesa had to assist in Liverpool‘ only goal while replacing England‘s most expensive player Isak who missed a one-on-one with Lammens. He through every offensive player on the field and missed again – Liverpool conceded a goal from Maguire and are now third on the table – and Slot is about to receive some heat from the press, just like Amorim did.

It was an action packed first half with plenty of opportunities for both teams, and it started quite exciting – with a goal in the second minute. Just as the ‘You‘ll never walk alone‘ hymn was sang and the game began, Enfiled was silenced. Fernandes picked the ball up in the middle of the park and he squares for Amad, who had time to pick a pass. Mbeumo ran off the back of Van Dijk and Amad fed him before the United forward fires past Mamardashvili for a shocking lead. Liverpool defense should have reacted better and the Georgian keeper could have been more careful but United was leading. Prior to the chance, McAllister went down with a head injury but the referee didn‘t stop the game, which will certainly cause controversies after the game.

It took Liverpool almost 20 minutes to get a grip and Cody Gakpo had a fantastic chance after a quick transitional attack but hit the post, his first out of three tonight. Just as the home crowd thought that the equalizers is just a matter of minutes, United created no less than three excellent opportunities. Amad passed the ball to Fernandes who had the time to take a shot, but the ball went centimeters off the post. Two minutes later Mamardashvili saved Cunha‘s cross but Mount came for the ball. Luckily for Liverpool, the ball went over the crossbar. The Reds had two chances to punish Manchester for their misses. Gakpo hit the post again after half an hour (this time with a help from Fernandes‘ deflection) and Isak was one one one with Lammens but the Belgian managed to save with his leg.

Second half was as equally exciting as the first one. It started with Gakpo‘s third post of the game in the 50th minute and continued with Salah, who missed an entire kick at the far post four minutes later. The Egyptian had even better opportunity in the 65th minute when he was all alone in the goal area but somehow managed to miss from five meters away. Slot risked everything in the last half an hour and Salah, Gakpo, Isak Wirtz and Ekitike were all on the field. Free agent Chiesa replaced the expensive Isak and assisted Gakpo who finally scored the goal. Liverpool ‘smelled the blood‘ and went for the winner but instead received a goal. It was 84th minute when Magurie headed the ball into the net after Fernandes‘ cross. The unlucky Gakpo somehow managed to miss a header from four meters in the 87th minute and that was Liverpool‘s last chance to avoid fourth straight defeat. The Reds even got a stunning eight minute injury time but nothing could save them tonight.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 8

Saturday

Nottingham Forest - Chelsea 0-3 (0-0)

/Acheampong 49, Neto 52, James 84/

Brighton - Newcastle 2-1 (1-0)

/Welbeck 41, 84 - Woltemade 76/

Burnley - Leeds 2-0 (1-0)

/Ugochukwu 18, Tchaouna 68/

Crystal Palace - Bournemouth 3-3 (0-2)

/Mateta 64, 69, 90+7 pen - Kroupi 7, 38, Christie 89/

Manchester City - Everton 2-0 (0-0)

/Haaland 58, 63/

Sunderland - Wolverhampton 2-0 (1-0)

/Mukiele 16, Krejci 90+3 og/

Fulham - Arsenal 0-1 (0-0)

/Trossard 58/

Sunday

Tottenham - Aston Villa 1-2 (1-1)

/Betancur 5 - Rogers 37, Buendia 77/

Liverpool - Manchester Utd. 1-2 (0-1)

/Mbeumo 2, Maguire 84 - Gakpo 78/

Monday

22.00: (2.55) West Ham (3.30) Brentford (2.80)

***odds are subject to change***