One thing is for sure, Liverpool’s drab goalless draw against Manchester United won’t go down into the history books, that’s for sure!
Jurgen Klopp’s side came into the match as the favourites, and rightly so. Manchester United have been all over the place.
But whilst Erik ten Hag’s men have been poor, it seemed as though their performance seeped into Liverpool’s because they were beyond abject at Anfield today – Gary Neville was shocked by the home crowd.
Paul Scholes and Michael Owen were critical of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate for not taking their guilt-edge chances to score in the first half, as they told Premier League Productions (17/12/23 at 5:25 pm).
In the first half, the Liverpool defensive duo had the opportunity to score from corners, but both of their efforts, from point-blank range, went straight at Andre Onana or over the bar.
If they were on either side, and on target, then Liverpool are opening the scoring and it becomes a very, very different game.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes thinks Ibrahima Konate, in particular, should have ‘done better’ with his effort.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate v Manchester United
“I think he should do better,” said Scholes about Konate’s missed header. “I think that’s a really good chance from seven or eight years out for Konate. He just throws his head at it.”
Owen added: “If Konate keeps his eye on the ball a little bit longer. For a split second, he almost turns his head and loses all the direction on the ball.
“I think both centre-halves, Konate and Van Dijk, have had the best chances. They will be disappointed.”
Liverpool miss the chance to go top of the Premier League table
Given how both of these teams have been playing this season, and of late, then there is no doubt that Manchester United will be the happier bunch here.
Given Liverpool’s record against their old rivals, and the fact that three points would have taken them back to the top of the Premier League table, then this is a very big chance missed.
Whilst Erik ten Hag’s men didn’t attack the Reds with all their might, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will do next Saturday.
After Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brighton hours earlier on Sunday, they are now one point ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa in the Premier League table – Manchester City are five points behind after they dropped even more points.
The post 'He should do better': Paul Scholes & Michael Owen blast Liverpool duo v Manchester United appeared first on HITC.
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