Chapter 669: Counterattack
However, Liverpool still has Robertson. The 24-year-old Liverpool left-back, along with his partner, Liverpool's talented right-back Arnold, is one of the important factors for Liverpool's outstanding performance this season.
If Liverpool's offensive trident is the sharpest spear to defeat the enemy, then the full-back combination of Arnold and Robertson can be said to be the engine of Liverpool's offense.
Unlike Manchester United, which has a super all-around midfielder like Bruno, Liverpool's several players in the midfield are inclined to the role of blue-collar midfielders, so the Red Army's offense is more launched from the two sides.
Liverpool's right-back Arnold's cross accuracy is unprecedented. No matter how far away, whether the ball is moving or not, Arnold can accurately find his teammates in the penalty area. Arnold can send 7.12 crosses per game, continuously testing the opponent's defense.
Compared with Arnold, left-back Robertson is more comprehensive. In addition to passing, Robertson can also help the team in other ways.
Robertson is faster than Arnold, and can often sprint to the attacking third zone with the ball, or quickly pass the ball.
Robertson's physical condition is also better than Arnold, and his value can be better reflected when facing tough opponents. His strong body allows him to maintain balance even when dribbling at high speed. Although Robertson's dribbling is not at the best level, it is enough for him to protect the ball.
For example, at this moment, when Mbappe broke through, people saw that Robertson was very fast, almost on par with Mbappe.
………………
"This is Robertson, fast, otherwise other full-backs can only eat dust behind Mbappe." Zhang Lu laughed.
As he was talking, Mbappe suddenly stopped and dribbled the ball.
Robertson braked suddenly, but there was no one to defend him closely.
"Mbappe passes the ball! Harry Kane! Beautiful header! The ball goes in! Six minutes into the game, Manchester United takes the lead away from home at Anfield!"
Kulibaly made a mistake in predicting where the ball would land. After being squeezed out by Harry Kane, he could only watch the England center forward head the ball into the goal.
After scoring the goal, Harry Kane excitedly rushed to the sidelines to celebrate the goal. Bruno and others also surrounded him, patting Harry Kane on the shoulders and hugging him. It was a lively moment.
As mortal enemies, Manchester United players' goals at Anfield often have extraordinary significance.
Mourinho waved his arms vigorously on the sidelines and cheered for the goal.
Klopp gritted his teeth and looked at the field silently.
In the stands at Anfield, Henry II had a gloomy expression.
………………
1:0, Manchester United got off to a dream start away from home, and Mourinho was in a very good mood.
However, just three minutes later, Mourinho's brows furrowed, because Manchester United failed to hold on to the one-goal lead, and Liverpool quickly scored to equalize the score.
What was wrong with Manchester United's defense? That wasn't the case. Liverpool's goal was a complete reflection of the star's personal ability.
In the 24th minute, Fabinho made a lob pass, and Mane, who was unguarded, stopped the ball with his chest and volleyed in front of the small penalty area. The football drew a beautiful arc, bypassing the people in the penalty area and Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea's ten fingers, and went straight to the dead corner in the upper right corner of the goal.
It was that simple, a long shot without any warning scored a goal.
Mourinho wanted to scold someone but didn't know who to scold. This kind of outrageous goal was simply unreasonable.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!"
"Mane's world wave!"
"1:1! Mane's shot brought the two sides back to a tie again!"
The cheers at Anfield Stadium were deafening.
………………
The score of 1:1 was like breaking the shackles on the body, and both sides had to become passionate.
Mourinho was not satisfied with the away draw, because facing the biggest competitor, this was a game equivalent to 6 points.
If Manchester United could win away, they could expand their lead to 5 points.
The Premier League is about to enter the Christmas devil schedule. If they can expand their advantage at this time, it will have a great advantage for Manchester United in the next schedule.
Therefore, Mourinho's explanation to the team is to strive to win away.
As for Liverpool, the 1:1 draw made it impossible for them to narrow the gap with Manchester United.
How good Manchester United's performance has been in the past few seasons, Liverpool people know better than anyone else. If this opportunity is missed, Liverpool may not be able to reverse this season.
This sense of crisis requires Liverpool to strive to win.
Both sides completely let go, attacking in and out, and playing with sparks.
Bruno suddenly took a long shot outside the penalty area. This long shot was of extremely high quality. Fortunately, Alisson was very focused and punched the ball out with both fists.
Facing Bruno's heavy artillery, he didn't dare to hold the ball directly with both hands, fearing that it would slip out of his hands.
Then, outside the penalty area, Kante intercepted the ball and pushed it to Fred, who passed it to the side. Bruno's left foot made another arc, and the ball almost flew out of the bottom line along the outside of the post and hit the side net.
Bruno shot twice in a row, making Liverpool players sweat. Klopp jumped around anxiously on the sidelines, shouting loudly and pushing his hands forward, meaning to push the defense line out and not let the opponent get so close to the penalty area.
………………
Liverpool began to push the defense forward, suppressing Manchester United's attack.
Manchester United's attack just fell, Liverpool's counterattack came. Alisson kicked the ball out of the goal, and Salah stopped the ball in the frontcourt. Although Luke Shaw pulled and dragged, the ball was still firmly controlled by Salah.
Kicked the ball to Keita who came to respond, and the Greek turned and ran forward.
Keita, who took the ball horizontally, attracted Manchester United's defensive attention, but suddenly passed the ball to Fabinho behind him.
The Brazilian's passing skills are good, and he directly passed the ball to the right side with an over-the-top diagonal pass.
Salah dribbled along the right side, and Luke Shaw was left behind by Salah, and Van Dijk had to come out to defend.
Seeing Van Dijk being brought out, Salah immediately passed the ball.
In the penalty area, Firmino was held by Maguire and he couldn't turn around. However, Firmino is not the kind of person who can break the opponent's goal by himself. When he was blocked, he passed the ball back to Wijnaldum who came in from behind.
The Dutch midfielder followed up with a burst shot and almost broke the goal guarded by De Gea.
Although there was no goal, the Liverpool fans at Anfield still applauded and cheered for the Dutch midfielder.
………………
Although Liverpool's offensive was very strong, Manchester United was not a master who could be manipulated by others. They soon launched a counterattack. Mbappe got the ball on the right, he suddenly cut inside, dodged Fabinho's block, and shot hard.
Alisson saved Mbappe's shot, and he pressed the ball firmly under his body, leaving no chance for Harry Kane who rushed up to make a supplementary shot.
Then, Alisson threw the ball to launch a quick counterattack. Fabinho made a long pass to Firmino, who headed the ball back.
Salah took the ball and tried to pass Van Dijk, but was spotted by the Dutch central defender in advance and successfully stole the ball.
"Nice steal! Salah's bicycle kick didn't fool the opponent, but the opponent stole the ball directly."
Van Dijk passed the ball to Luke Shaw, who took the ball and sped up. Firmino caught up, and the two entangled for more than ten meters. In the end, Firmino dragged Luke Shaw to the ground.
The referee blew the whistle, calling the Brazilian for a foul, and showed Firmino a yellow card.
The stands of Anfield Stadium applauded thunderously. They liked Firmino like this.
………………
Facing Manchester United who took the initiative to attack, Liverpool began to stabilize its defense.
This season, Liverpool's defense is very good. In the first 16 rounds, they only lost 6 goals. It is the only team among the 20 Premier League teams that has lost goals in the single digit.
Even looking at the five major leagues, Liverpool is the team with the most stable defense.
Facing Liverpool's comprehensive retreat, Manchester United could hardly have any good offensive means for a while, but Liverpool's counterattack was very impressive.
During a dead ball opportunity, Mourinho called Bruno to the sidelines.
"There are too many people in the penalty area, and Liverpool's defense is difficult to penetrate. You and Rashford are both good at long-range shots. Try more long-range shots to force Liverpool to press out to block your long-range shots. After the opponent's formation is pulled apart, see if you can find opportunities and space."
Bruno nodded, indicating that he understood. He also realized that facing Liverpool's compact defense, it was difficult for the team to open the situation from the middle. From the wing, Lovren and Koulibaly's headers were good, especially Koulibaly, who judged the landing point today.
"Also, tell Kane and others that when you shoot from a long distance, they should be prepared to make up for it."
Bruno understood immediately. In the pre-match meeting, Mourinho told the example of Alisson's butter-handed mistakes in addition to his love of showing off his footwork in the penalty area. According to data analysis, Manchester United's coaching staff found that Alisson's saves for long-range shots are sometimes easy to lose his hands, or even butter hands, which is a hidden danger to Liverpool's goal.
………………
The game continued, and Manchester United launched an attack in the frontcourt.
Keita made a beautiful tackle to keep the ball, stealing it from Fred's feet, and Liverpool launched a quick counterattack. Klein made a rare and very good pass from the bottom of the wing. If Firmino and Salah had not rushed together and shot high, Manchester United would have lost the ball again.
"Oh! That's close! Firmino stole Salah's shooting opportunity, he should have given the ball to Salah." Andy Gray said.
Mourinho was also shocked, and then he roared on the sidelines. He was very dissatisfied with the team's right back Cancelo's defense. Cancelo failed to press Clein in time, giving the opponent an easy chance to kick and cross.