This is a familiar scene after the match. The manager sits on a small stage, the press down in front of him and tries to explain everything to apologize. So, we were at Anfield on Tuesday night, after Manchester United’s 4-0 escape from Liverpool, a result that raised many questions, including whether it was more or less humiliating for the guests from the previous part. That was last October, when Liverpool won 5-0 at Old Trafford.
How had it happened again? The club is “obviously in a difficult situation”, came the answer, a remark that touched on the countless problems of United, taking the anger of fans to property and even some of the players, lack of common thinking, gloomy form, crisis of selection.
“Look at the line-up tonight,” he continued, pointing out that midfielders Scott McTominey and Fred are among those missing due to injury. Well, McTominey was on the bench, but he couldn’t get in. “McTominey was only here to show up. I don’t think he was ready. “
When it rains, it pours and Paul Pogba will be kicked out in the 10th minute with tension in the calves. At 5-0, the midfielder was sent off 15 minutes after his introduction as a half-time substitution. “When you’re in a difficult situation, very often in life you get another knock and here’s what [happened] … In the game, Paul has to leave. ”
At least there was a hint of optimism about the future. “I know it won’t last forever,” he said. United, he added, “will fight back … be there again. The club is too powerful. ”
The words there, ladies and gentlemen, are not of United’s interim manager Ralph Rangnik, but of his Liverpool counterpart Jurgen Klopp. For the record, Rangnik would go hard in the opposite direction, criticizing his players for the terrible defense in the opening goal scored by Luis Diaz in the fifth minute, as well as various other mistakes, such as free passes in the jaw of the Liverpool Press. the third goal ended with Sadio Mane in the 68th minute. Rangnik said it was “extremely uncomfortable”.
“Extremely uncomfortable”: Rangnik calls for United’s recovery after losing to Liverpool – video
If we are looking for an accusation about the location of United, which is at its lowest ebb in decades, then to receive sympathy from the Liverpool manager – even sadly – is certainly the most humiliating.
It is possible that Klopp stepped carefully because of the respect he had for Rangnik, his German compatriot, the so-called godfather of Gegenpress, who influenced his own approach. Klopp, who was frankly non-inflammatory before the game when asked about United’s situation, would speak brilliantly about Rangnik’s tactical change at halftime from a back five to a 4-3-3 or 4-2 -3- 1, depending on where you had attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard, who came in for Pogba.
Jurgen Klopp celebrates the victory of his team from Liverpool. Photo: Mike Egerton / PA
“We had to adapt to the different system of high press, composition, organization of the enemy,” Klopp said. “It’s really difficult. They take off [Phil] Jones and bring it [Jadon] Sancho. The pressure is different. You’re just used to certain spaces from the first half and then, OK, that doesn’t work anymore. We didn’t start moving again. We have not fallen to the right [moments] and suddenly we can’t pass the balls. “
The strange thing was that for about 20 minutes United looked vaguely comfortable and the hosts began to show a little anxiety. After the march in the first half, there was finally a touch of tension about the classic game of English football. So everyone welcome Ranknik, the tactical genius? Hardly. After how badly he got confused at first.
Mohamed Salah ended Liverpool’s victory over Manchester United. Photo: Peter Powell / EPA
It passed quickly because Liverpool adapted, found a way back through the lines and when Manet made it 3-0, it was time for a powerful last quarter – and United to disappear. Again. For Klopp to be in a good position to show his generous side. And United to be trawled through the thinnest mess of anything that can be fixed. These types of bites are all they seem to have right now.
Where Klopp solves problems and has a clear vision, Rangnik cannot escape them or bring his players in line with the way he wants to play. Which is no big surprise. Rangnik is a manager who loves intensity, constant running without a ball; to win it high again, to use the counter-press as a tool for attack and defense. He also supports a long-term recovery project. So, what could be better than giving him this team and a six-month deal? And yet, the time will soon come for this sweet, sweet consulting concert. No one seems to know exactly what this will bring, but he will certainly be on a cell phone if necessary.
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Rangnik said Bruno Fernandes was candid in Anfield’s locker room and the question was whether United could somehow wake up at Arsenal on Saturday.
The club was horrified to learn that their Old Trafford match against Chelsea has been rescheduled for next Thursday, marking their third major match in nine days, potentially undermining their fight for the top four. It doesn’t matter that they can get rid of that worry, say, by beating Watford at home or dropping out of Everton. It won’t matter when they face Thomas Tuchel’s team if they lose again on Saturday.
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