SO NEAR – SO VAR
IF they are to avoid a mouthful from Gary Neville it’s advisable that Manchester United’s players stay indoors today. The ex-United star and pundit let rip at some of the squad who had been spotted in various parts of the world partying in the aftermath of the Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid.
Well, after this horror show which lacked tempo and energy, interim-boss Ralf Rangnick and his team should bolt the windows and lock the doors and watch a soap.
But not this football soap which is one of constant under achievement which will cost United a place in the top four.
Leicester deserved to have won and will claim they were robbed by a VAR decision which cost star man James Maddison an 80th-minute winner.
Bruno Fernandes might have just signed a new double-hismoney contract but it came with a caveat – to fill the centre forward role with United devoid of striking options.
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent with flu-like symptoms, Edinson Cavani picked up an injury on international duty, Mason Greenwood isn’t considered and Marcus Rashford seems to be off Rangnick’s radar, once again on the bench.
Not the ideal scenario as he sounded the bugle call in the build-up to this game, insisting there can be no slip ups if fourth place is to be secured.
Leicester were on the back of three wins in their last four Premier League games, had former United defender Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana back in harness at the centre of defence for the first time since the FA Cup final and began with a spring in their step.
Harvey Barnes went close with a flicked header from Maddison’s free-kick and twice sent low efforts past David De Gea’s right hand post.
Disjointed United desperately needed some early inspiration and a slalom type run from Anthony Elanga, only stopped illegally by Fofana which earned the Leicester man a yellow card, brought the home crowd to life.
But it was the Frenchman who set up United’s first big chance with a loose pass intercepted by Fred who instantly released Fernandes into space through the middle of Leicester’s defence only for Kasper Schmeichel’s
outstretched left foot to foil him. The visitors, though, carried the greatest danger.
And Kelechi lheanacho should have done better than slice wide from inside the box from a James Justin pull back.
There was a smattering of boos at half-time. Cue, in the 54th minute, the introduction of Rashford in an attempt to inject some energy and cohesion in what had been a shambles of a forward line. It allowed Fernandes to revert back to a goal maker, rather than looking lost in the false No.9 role.
Rangnick had taken off Scott McTominay, who Leicester players felt deserved a red rather than yellow for a stud-led late challenge on Maddison.
And it was the latter who set up a magnificent 62nd-minute goal for his side. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s tackle halted a
Fernandes break, a quick pass down the line to Maddison ended with a delightful cross which saw a diving header from Iheanacho beat De Gea.
Could United respond? They did within four minutes as Fernandes found space on the edge of the area and his low strike was palmed out by Schmeichel – but only for Fred to thump into the roof of the net.
But it needed VAR to rescue
United 10 minutes from time after Maddison thought he had struck a deserved winner.
He fired home from close range after Iheanacho had won a scramble with Raphael Varane just inside the area.
Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the centre spot but was asked by VAR operator Michael Oliver to visit the monitor, and then decided that Varane had been fouled.
for the visitors, that was almost immediately punished as Joe Gomez – in for Trent Alexander-Arnold – produced a cross that his team-mate might have envied.
As ever, the man to head home and open the scoring for the
10th time in 20 games this term was the prolific Jota.
Klopp said: “A great goal, and he is that guy (a centreforward). It was always in him but at Wolves he had a different job and he did that job that good we thought we want him.
“He has improved a lot.”
Jota almost had a second before the break, Ben Foster doing well to close the angle after a delicious Joel Matip flick.
But Liverpool’s failure to secure the second goal would set the tone for what was a nervy second half. It was Watford who had the better of the opportunities, Joao Pedro curling inches wide of the post after good work from the lively Sarr. The hosts’ failure to make anything of a three against three late on summed up a largely careless performance going forward. Liverpool got their chance to seal it, however, and in fortuitous circumstances – a lengthy VAR check leading Stuart Attwell to point to the spot to punish Kucka for grappling with Jota.
Fabinho dispatched the spot-kick with customary cool, but not everyone in Anfield was delighted with that state of affairs.
Hornets boss Roy Hodgson (left) said of the decision: “It’s the only sour moment for me today. VAR has done a lot of very good things in English football, this year better than last year. But I still find it very hard to accept.
“The referee didn’t see it, Jurgen asked me what was happening, and not one Liverpool player complained.
“It leaves a rather unpleasant taste.”