Now That’s What I Call Anti-Climax
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The much-anticipated match between Liverpool and Manchester played out like watching paint dry last night, with neither side scoring any goals.
Jurgen Klopp’s team, Liverpool, would have drawn level on points with their opponent Manchester, with a fifth successive Premier League victory. However, Jose Mourinho’s defence proved far too strong for them. Liverpool this season has built each of their games on momentum, second to second intensity between the opposing team, and working around their strategy. But this game, it would appear to be a case of ‘immovable object/unstoppable force.’
There were two opportunities where Liverpool almost had a goal, had it not been for Man-U’s goalkeeper. David de Gea saved both shots, diving low for Emre Can and Philippe Coutinho’s effort, from 25 yards away.
While the impasse of the game didn’t really benefit either manager, it is very clear who’ll be happier. As Klopp came onto the pitch as the game ended, he applauded Liverpool fans, but there was an unmasked disappointment as he walked off the pitch.
After the match, both managers gave their thoughts on the game, with one decidedly more positive than the other.
Jose Mourinho: “The game was difficult for both teams but for longer periods it was more difficult for them than us.
“We controlled the game not just tactically but the emotion of the game. That was probably the quietest Anfield I had and I was expecting it to be the other way.
“It was a positive performance.”
Jurgen Klopp: “It was a hectic game, interrupted here and there, but we lost patience with our passing game. The attitude of my team was really good. We were ready to fight but when you can play better, you have to.
“The kind of defence is difficult to play. The man-marking is really difficult, they are stronger than us. We wasted energy in the first half for nothing. The second half was better and with fresher legs in the second half we could have created more.”
The next Premier League game will be against Mourinho’s ex club, Chelsea, on Sunday.