Solskjaer: “Everything Went Wrong” , Klopp: “Strange Game”

Manchester United and Liverpool played without goals today, splitting a point each, in the most significant derby of the English soccer.

Despite what most of the fans expected, this event ended 0-0, leaving all of the pretty disappointed and frustrated for not seeing any goals.

The result is much more fitting for the hosts, who still have a chance to reach the fourth place and to grab the ticket for the Champions League, while on the other side, Liverpool only increased the pressure on them, as they now have just one point more than Manchester City.

Except for one chance which Jesse Lingard had in the 40th minute, and Allison’s excellent save, nothing more concerning actual play was notable in this match.

Meanwhile, most of the talking about this match revolves around a highly unusual first half in which we saw four substitutions, all of them because of injuries.

United had to use all three, while guests one.

“Everything that could have gone wrong in the first half went wrong,” said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United’s manager. “We had four injuries – we had to keep Marcus Rashford on – it seemed like it was going to be a tough afternoon.”

A hard-earned point for #MUFC in difficult circumstances but Solskjaer felt they had the chances to win!#beINPL #MUNLIV 📺 HD11 pic.twitter.com/9dLFaw4QeE

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 24, 2019

At first, Ander Herrera had to go out leaving his place to Andreas Pereira. After that, another midfielder picked up an injury. Juan Mata couldn’t go on, and Jesse Lingard entered the pitch. Then the unbelievable happened. The same player was unable to proceed and was replaced by Alexis Sanchez with two minutes until the break.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Firmino also had problems, which is why Daniel Sturridge came off the bench.

Jurgen Klopp had a similar commentary as his colleague from the opposite side, saying that Firmino’s loss disrupted their strategy, enabling his team to be more dangerous up front.

“It was a strange game. We started really well. All the injuries in the game obviously cost us rhythm. It happened to us with ‘Bobby,’ and that was a catastrophe,” the German said.

Liverpool did have almost twice as more the possession, and they spent most of the time on United’s half, but when they needed to reach De Gea’s box, they were utterly helpless.

This is the third straight game in which Liverpool’s high flying offense couldn’t score a goal. And may we add, they picked the worst possible period to stop netting. On one side, Manchester City who is red-hot, and unstoppable at the moment, tearing all their opponents apart is just one point behind you with 11 rounds until the end.

On the other, the Champions League knockout stages have begun, and there is no room for any mistakes. Liverpool will have to perform a miracle in Munich in order to progress into the quarterfinals.

Plus, there is a huge pressure, and a mental barrier, as the Reds dropped a seven-point advantage over Citizens in just a few weeks time.

“I’m not frustrated,” Klopp said at the press conference, about the fact that his team won only one point from this match. “I’ll always take what I get from the boys. It doesn’t feel world class at the moment but it’s OK, we have a point more.”

Klopp: "We lost our rhythm" pic.twitter.com/jjV5PKK3XY

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 24, 2019

United is in a better position. The Red Devils are one step below Arsenal who defeated Southampton earlier today. These two sides, along with Chelsae are fighting a battle for the fourth place and a Champions League spot.

The way United played before the new year, that achievement would be an amazing thing, because most of the fans already wrote off the European games next season, after a terrible start under Jose Mourinho.

Manchester plays their next match away from home, against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park this Wednesday. After that they meet Southampton at home.

Liverpool clashes with Watford at Anfield on Wednesday and then jumps across the park to reach Goodison and starts another Merseyside Derby against Everton.