Sunday 20th October - Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool.
Well that was frustrating. My God have the tables turned. Like 360 turned. 10 years ago, an 85th minute equaliser at Old Trafford would have seen some serious limbs. This year, it was all a bit 'meh'.
This United team is shocking. Really really bad. Make no mistake about it, that goes down as a huge opportunity missed in my book. Even more so than last season when United had about 8 injuries in the first half. Take away the emotion, take away the fixture, take away the past failings and the old inferiority complex, we were playing the 14th best side in the league. We didn't turn up. Too passive. Too predictable. I really wanted us to roll up and flex our muscles, show them how much better we are, rub that sixth European Cup right in their faces and brush them aside. It never really looked like happening.
I love this team, they've given me some memories I'll cherish forever. But, we still have a massive mental block when we turn up at Old Trafford. There's no point denying it, it's there for all to see. Man for man, we are stronger than United in every single area. I thought the midfield picked showed them too much respect before a ball had even been kicked. We were desperate for someone to break the lines, to force the issue, especially with Mo missing. There was no creative spark in there, too many sideways passes and far too slow. I want to see more of Naby Keita from now on. Let's see this player that tore up the Bundesliga, he deserves a real run in the side now he's fit again. This Fabinho, Hendo & Gini midfield is reliable and solid, but we don't need all three of them. Especially not against mid table teams. Wink.
They were poor as well, there for the taking. I'm not buying into this rhetoric that they were much improved, outran us, outfought us etc. We just let them off the hook. VAR is a joke, we all know that, but I'm not using it as an excuse. Was it a foul on Origi? I thought so. It was more a refereeing mistake than a VAR mistake in my opinion. Atkinson is 10 yards away, looking straight at it. As long as this 'clear and obvious' nonsense is in place, nothing is getting overturned. What exactly is the point of having a screen at the side of the pitch? The whole system needs tearing up, I can't stand it. I couldn't even properly celebrate the Lallana equaliser because I was convinced he was probably a toenail offside or had breathed too heavily on Rojo inside the box. Can't really have any complaints about the hand ball against Mane, as much as I'd like to.
A point isn't a disaster, just more irritating and frustrating than anything else. The winning run just had to come to an end against that mob. There was an air of over confidence in the media and the fan base before the game and it made me very uncomfortable. Most of my childhood was spent watching us travel to United more in hope than expectation. We were always the ones trying to throw a spanner into the works and dent their title charge, now the shoe is firmly on the other foot. Another season gone, another missed opportunity to prove we're back on our perch.
9 games in, 8 wins and 1 draw is title winning form. Every one of us would have taken it before a ball was kicked, so onwards and upwards. We are off to Belgium on Wednesday to play a team that sounds like some some sort of reptile, should be fun. I'll be back then, with more ramblings and ratings, and hopefully a win. Up the reds!
Ratings
Big Ali - Good to have him back. Looked bored. Still devilishly handsome. Couldn't do anything about the goal. Would have liked to have seen a Cruyff turn or a rabona at some point. Could have had a traffic cone in net and still got a point. 6.
Trent - Not his best game. Looked a bit lost. Was either caught far too high or far too deep. Kept whipping balls in from everywhere like we had Crouchie up top. Only local lad on the field. You hate to see it. 5.
Joel - Got roasted a couple of times. Severe lack of mazy Giraffe style surges forward. No funny facial expressions to turn into memes either. Disappointing. 5.
Big Virg - Ended up on his arse at one point. Genuinely thought I'd been transported to some sort of parallel universe. Did alright after that, also looked bored. Hit Dan James like a freight train which was very enjoyable. Still the absolute main fella. 6.
Robbo - Similar to Trent, looked a bit confused at United's back 12 or whatever it was. Didn't get forward as much as he'd have liked. Picked up another assist with probably his worst cross of the season. We will take it. 6.
Fabs - Another one not at his best. Gary Neville kept digging him out which annoyed me. Leave it out Gaz. Bit sloppy at times. Picked up his customary booking. Probably his 30th card of the season. His worst game for 12 months and he still wasn't bad. Class act. 5.
Hendo - Passed it sideways a bit and then backwards a bit. Ran around a lot. Definitely not a right midfielder. One good ball for an offside Bobby in the first half. Other than that, not a lot. I think I'd like to see more of Naby and less of Hendo at the moment. 5.
Gini - Thought he was on for a stormer when he skinned a couple early doors and had a go at goal. Didn't see him again after that. Wouldn't mind seeing him utilised higher up the pitch. Koeman has got him banging them in for Holland. 5.
Div - Okay, I'll be the one to say it. I know it's sacrilege. I know he's a cult hero. Yes, I'll always love him. But I'm sorry, I can't have him. Shite player. Can't be having Divock come in for Salah when City have got Aguero and the like to come on. Fouled for their goal, mainly because he was chasing his touch. 4.
Bobby - Quiet. Dropped too deep looking for the ball. Understandable with the lack of service he was getting. Should have done better with the chances he had first half. Missed having Mo up there more than anyone else. 5.
Sadio - Was still our biggest threat, despite not really being at it. Disallowed goal was frustrating. Top run for Bobby's chance first half. Thought he might have had more of a go at Rojo. 6.
Subs.
The Ox - Thought he changed the game. Real willingness to get forward and make things happen. Gave it away a few times but showed more intent than any of the starting midfield. Nearly stole it late on with the left foot strike. Need him back fit and firing. 7.
Lallana - Chuffed for the bloke. Gets way too much stick. Not as good as he used to be but still useful, really nice moment for him. Tremendous knee slide, executed to perfection. Gets MOM for that alone. 7.
Naby - Really positive. Nice and crisp when he came on. Played his part in the goal. I want to see more of Naby now, there is a top player in there somewhere and I'm still convinced he'll be huge for us eventually. Come on lad. Should start midweek in Belgium. 6.
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