THE VERDICT: UNITED 2 LIVERPOOL 1
MARCUS Rashford struck twice – but it was Romelu Lukaku who produced a centre-forward display of classic proportions.
The ‘sergeant’ was promoted to sergeant major after a first half performance that set up this 2-1 win and put United in control in the race for second place.
The Belgian had to accept another game against the big six without a goal, but that doesn’t come close to telling the story of his match. This was proof-positive he can perform in the big games.
Just ask Dejan Lovren or Virgil van Dijk if they’d like to come up against the United No9 again any time soon.
Lukaku utterly dominated Liverpool’s defenders, leading the line to perfection. Twice he won the ball from long clearances by David de Gea. Twice United capitalised with goals from Rashford.
And even after a second half when he was forced to watch his team-mates defend deeper and deeper – there he was, five minutes into stoppage with a decisive headed clearance. Jose Mourinho’s faith in the £75m man is unwavering – games like this justify that staunch support. He was unplayable in a first 45 minutes. It was football at its most effective as Liverpool’s high press was dismissed and their much-heralded attacking trio of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane largely nullified. Instead it was United’s front three of Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Rashford who dominated. And it was Lukaku at the heart of it – bullying Lovren in particular and frightening Van Dijk to the point that the most expensive defender in the world could only watch on as the striker bossed proceedings. His flick-on in the 14th minute simply took out the heart of Liverpool’s defence. What followed was a real moment of quality from Rashford, leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold standing still with a dragback before sweeping a shot past Loris Karius. Ten minutes later Lukaku had the time and strength to bring De Gea’s clearance down and turned before laying off to Juan Mata. Mata was tackled, with the ball running free to Rashford James Robson 24) Rashford (14, Bailly (66, OG) 32% 68% 7 16 1 13 Valencia, Rashford O/Chamberlain Craig Pawson 74, 855 whose effort deflected off AlexanderArnold on its way into the net. United were in complete control and had Mata got his scissor kick on target late in the first half, it would only have emphasised the home side’s superiority.
The otherwise outstanding Eric Bailly provided the finishing touch as Jurgen Klopp’s side pulled one back in the 66th minute – turning Sadio Mane’s cross past De Gea.
It was more than any of the visiting strikers could muster. For all the talk of the thrilling forwards at Klopp’s disposal, they weren’t a patch on Lukaku or Rashford.