PLAYER RATINGS: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 LIVERPOOL

Liverpool plunged into full crisis mode by succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. Sancho struck in the first half, before Rashford netted in the second. Salah scored what turned out to be the consolation goal. Here are player ratings from the match.

Alisson – 7

Only one who can come away from tonight with his head held high. Made a fantastic save from Eriksen’s free kick and halted two one on ones, as per.

Alexander-Arnold – 3

Woeful at the one thing he’s great at (attacking) tonight. Poor from start to finish. Asleep at the backpost again for a simple one two and Elanga had the simple task of setting up Sancho for the opener. His form is very worrying.

Gomez – 6

Desperately unlucky with the second goal as he was adjudged to have just played Rashford onside. Thought he did well enough. Played some good passes through the lines. Chipped one to Firmino in the box only for the Brazilian to completely miskick.

Van Dijk – 4

Should have closed Sancho down but just stood there with his hands behind his back daring Sancho to take the shot. Did similar for Zaha’s goal and again for the Kebano shot that came off the post at Fulham. Took a proper bollocking from Milner for it. Not at the races.

Robertson – 4

Seems to fly under the radar with piss poor performances. Constantly gave the ball away and when in good areas couldn’t find a delivery.

Henderson – 4

Didn’t assert himself on the game. At fault for the second goal. A bouncing ball in midfield under no pressure and he panics and gives it straight to Rashford for a breakaway goal. Poor.

Elliott – 6.5

Tried. Only one in midfield not scared to get on the ball and try something. Played some good passes and should have scored when he curled wide from inside the box. It’s unfair depending on a youngster to grab a game at Old Trafford by the scruff of the neck.

Milner – 2

Woeful. Absolutely woeful. Yet he stayed on for over 70 minutes. Sent back to Leeds by Sancho for the opening goal. Constantly tripping over his own laces and generally looking slow and ponderous on the ball. Shouldn’t be starting against a top six side in 2022.

Salah – 5

Quiet and isolated. When he did get on the ball, he was bullied and well marshalled by Malacia. Didn’t play well by any stretch of the imagination. The goal might mask that.

Firmino – 3

He’s been past it since 2019 if we’re being honest. Offers next to little goal threat and teams seem to have wisened up to him dropping deep to create space. What prevents him from having a crack at goal at times though? That he played the full game underlines the sheer lack of options at the minute.

Diaz – 4

Poor. Plays too wide, with Bobby dropping deep that leaves Salah isolated. Guilty of always dribbling back towards his own goal. No impact whatsoever. Set up by Milner for a tap in and he managed to hit it straight at De Gea. Not good enough tonight.

Substitutes

Fabinho – 5

Pressed hard and looked as uncomfortable as the man before him. Won a few free kicks and steered a header goalwards from a corner.

Carvalho – 6

Did more in 18 minutes than Milner managed in 72. His snap shot was parried to Salah for the goal. Was positive when he got on the ball and not shy to drive forward. Pushing for a start.

Tsimikas – 3

Manged to play worse than Robertson yet again when he came on. Takes some doing that. Too easily knocked off the ball by Martial for a big chance.

Jürgen Klopp

Opted to drop Fabinho and start Milner in midfield. Didn’t work. Should have changed it at halftime. Didn’t. Went 2-0 down and swapped one DM for another. No attempt to gamble on an extra forward (in Carvalho) to try and get back in the game.

Brought the youngster on too late when Milner was having a shocker. Continues to stick religiously to a 4-3-3 setup when we obviously don’t have enough fit and quality options in the middle of the park. Says he’s happy with his midfield options so it’s all on him. No excuses.