Jurgen Klopp sprang a surprise by selecting James Milner for Alberto Moreno, injured in training, ahead of one assumed the natural replacement Brad Smith. The manager reasoning that he did not want Old Trafford to become the theatre of nightmares for Smith.
As expected this was a different Man United, more sharp of mind and with decidedly more cutting edge with Rashford now facing the opposing goal rather than a supporting act at left-back and Martial on the left with the aim of causing Nathanial Clyne discomfort.
The atmosphere was ramped up to fever pitch with LVG looking for role reversal in having the home crowd playing as his 12th man. Early in with the crowd baying for United to get on top, yet another stray elbow by the flailing arms of Fellaini found its way into the face of a another Liverpool player. In the first leg read Can, this time Firmino with the same result of no red card (he would strike again in the head of Lovren).
United started well gaining momentum through the first twenty minutes without fashioning out a serious chance, although that was partially down to Sakho controlling the backline in a way seldom seen by any Liverpool defender since Jamie Carragher and Emre Can ahead of him giving us two solid pieces of a spine we were bound to need throughout the evening.
Within the space of a minute Man United should have got themselves back into the game. First, Juan Mata miscued his volley after the ball had been bubbling around in the area and then Simon Mignolet saved well from Jesse Lingard’s header at close range.
The impressive Martial the sliced past Clyne with comparative ease before shooting over. It was a sign of United on the front foot and worrying Martial was the standard bearer targeting Liverpool’s number one defender.
As good as United looked Liverpool were a threat on the break and almost took the lead on the half hour. A quick break up field ended in a powerful drive which David De Gea unbelievably got down to, seeing it late as the ball appeared to be on its way past him. The save was stunning.
Over the next ten minutes Liverpool reasserted control with David De Gea seeing action saving on the half-volley from Firmino’s shot from outside the area.
Clyne having a decidedly uncomfortable evening, probably his worst in a Liverpool shirt allowed himself to be suckered into a rash challenge before bringing down the flying Martial for a penalty. Clyne could have easily pointed to the lack of cover.
Martial dispatched the penalty in clinical fashion sending Mignolet the wrong way.
Three minutes later Liverpool were almost back on track. Sturridge after being cynically brought down by Blind on the right flank, whipped it a stunning free-kick over the wall and past the out stretched De Gea, but unfortunately the ball smacked against the woodwork and out to safety. It was stunning and a reminder of Sturridge brilliance.
Again looking menacing on the attacking, a lovely flowing move ended with Henderson playing the ball to Coutinho who returned the compliment with a stunning reverse ball to send Henderson through on goal, but the Liverpool skipper disappointingly blazed over with only the keeper to beat.
Then the two moments that changed the game.
Danny Blind knocked a hopeful ball into the Liverpool box which looked to be sailing out, that was and until Fellaini cut the ball back on the volley to the near post and into the path of Rojo arriving on cue, but with the goal at his mercy Sakho as he would do throughout pulled off a last ditch tackle which sent the ball wide of the near post.
A minute later Old Trafford lit up with the brilliance of a true magician.
Coutinho, found on the left in oceans of space from an intelligent ball by Can, the number 10 headed straight at Varela and with a drop of the shoulder and slight shuffle he glided by the full-back heading for goal on the angle. One he arrived to be greeted by De Gea, Coutinho never a man to be worried by reputations, waited for the keeper to make the first move which resulted in him committing himself to the floor and watching Coutinho deftly chip the ball over his head into the back of the net and kill the tie stone dead.
It was genius.
Knowing that Man United needed three goals to win the tie Liverpool sat back in the opening fifteen minutes of the second-half allowing Man United to make the running.
Man United enjoyed a few opportunities with Rashford pulling an effort wide from just outside the area and Fellaini on the end of an excellent cross field cross from Michael Carrick which he could only head harmlessly into the arms of Mignolet. Martial and Lingard were also involved in a glorious move combining with Lingard flicking the ball through to Martial to shoot over.
Sensing the need to keep pressing Jurgen Klopp replaced Sturridge with Origi.
Man United may have belated starting playing better in the tie, but David De Gea was no less busy at Old Trafford than he had been at Anfield. Again he was called upon to palm over a drilled effort from Coutinho from just outside the area and with time counting down in the game the keeper saved well from Origi’s shot with the defence coming to his aid as Joe Allen steamed in to tuck home the rebound.
The second-half was relatively comfortable with Coutinho’s magical goal on the throes of half-time quietening the 12th man and extinguish any real ambition LVG’s men had of entering the fray for the next round.
Man of the Match: Mamadou Sakho – Absolutely immense. Stood head and shoulders above all comers on the pitch with a defensive display which was as good as anything seen by a centre-back for Liverpool since the retirement of Jamie Carragher.
Was good to see how vocal he appeared looking to organised all around him. He headed out literally every loose ball and man match saving tackles and interventions. His passing which is often understated was on point.
Like all Liverpool fans I’m hoping for a sustain run in the side not blighted by injury.
Emre Can was excellent also, allaying his obvious physical abilities and running power to his ability to pick out a good pass which his did succinctly for the goal.
Philippe Coutinho talent was the difference between the sides. His goal was a stunning effort which left Man United as flat as their second half performance. Top teams need a special players and he with a fit Daniel Sturridge is ours.
We are still a work in progress, but have bloodied some very big noses this season.
Change takes time and we are going the right way, the Klopp way. As a revolutionary once said, “The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall”.
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