Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
A dismayed Liverpool after conceding their second to Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
Liverpool suffered a damaging blow in their bid to secure Champions League football next season as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to fierce rivals Manchester United.
United opened the scoring through Matheus Cunha, who saw his deflected shot from the edge of the area fly past Freddie Woodman in the Liverpool goal. Benjamin Sesko continued the Red Devils’ stunning start by bundling home a second from close range following a lengthy VAR check.
Dominik Szoboszlai got a goal back in the second half as he raced through the United midfield and finished well, before a lapse in concentration from goalkeeper Senne Lammens allowed Szoboszlai to pounce and set up Cody Gakpo to equalise before Kobbie Mainoo pounced on the edge of the box to win the game for United.
Here, Express Sport rates the Liverpool team…
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Liverpool player ratings vs Man Utd (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Freddie Woodman - 6
Continuing to deputise for the injured Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili, but needed to get a stronger hand to prevent Sesko from doubling United’s lead. Made a few saves to prevent further damage.
Curtis Jones - 5
Still looks unnatural at right-back and struggled against Cunha. Needs to be moved back in midfield in place of Mac Allister.
Ibrahima Konate - 5
Unable to contain United’s attacking front four.
Virgil van Dijk - 5
Supposed to be Liverpool’s leader at the back but they were all at sea and several poor clearances from the captain did little to help their cause.
Andy Robertson - 4
Poor defensive header from a corner that led to Cunha’s opener and then needed to be much stronger at the back post, when he was outjumped by Bruno Fernandes, who set up Sesko’s finish. Hooked after an hour.
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Ryan Gravenberch - 6
Failed to provide the necessary shield for Liverpool's back four as Fernandes was able to run away with the game.
Alexis Mac Allister - 4
Unfortunate that he deflected in Cunha’s goal in the opening few minutes but lost the midfield battle to Mainoo and Casemiro and his woeful clearance directly led to Mainoo's winner.
Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
Andy Robertson struggled in his final Liverpool match against Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
Dominik Szoboszlai - 9
One of the few Liverpool players who can hold their head up high at full-time. Worked tirelessly off the ball in the first half and began the second by slicing through the United midfield and tucking a smart finish past Lammens. Not content with that, he produced a sublime touch in front of goal to set up Gakpo who equalised, and delivered countless good deliveries into the box.
Jeremie Frimpong - 5
Slot appears reluctant to play him at right-back and Frimpong was ineffective further forward. Becoming a problem.
Cody Gakpo - 7
Kept out wide despite a lack of a natural number nine in the starting lineup but could not get the better of Dalot. Perhaps should have provided a focal point through the middle, as he has done for his country, to great success. Finished well in front of goal when found by Szoboszlai.
Florian Wirtz - 6
Played central alongside Szoboszlai in a strikerless system that backfired. Picked up a knock after 33 minutes but could not get on the ball in dangerous positions as the German was well-marshalled by Casemiro.
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Substitutes
Milos Kerkez (59') - 4
Replaced a struggling Robertson but his decisive moment was at the back post when he mis-timed his jump, lost out to Amad, and the ball eventually found Mainoo to score late on.
Rio Ngumoha (75') - 6
Brought on to prove a spark, in place of Frimpong, and had a chance at goal that flew wide.
Federico Chiesa (87') - N/A