The English Premier League has over the years been hailed as the best, and the toughest league in the world. Well, on Sunday 5th March, 2023, the evidence was there for all to see, as Liverpool on the back of what has been termed their toughest season, thrashed Manchester United 7-0.
Prior to the game, there was talk of the possibility of Manchester United winning four trophies as they enjoyed a great run of form. There was actually a validation of this with United coming from a recent win at Wembley, having beaten Newcastle United 2-0 to win the League Cup.
While Liverpool were playing at home, it was United that were deemed pre-match favorites in predictions of yesterday soccer results on SportyTrader; of course this is based on recent runs. For the better part of the game’s opening exchanges, United lived to the billing as favorites. First Antony’s effort forcing Alisson into a finger-tip save then a Bruno Fernandes misdirected header and an uncharacteristic scuffed shot from Marcus Rashford.
That was all Manchester United could conjure, at least in terms of serious threat in their goalmouth action. Liverpool grew in the game and they got their footing in the 43rd minute through a former United target, Cody Gakpo. It was all Liverpool from that point on, much to the chagrin of United manager Erik ten Hag.
The manager slammed the team’s performance after conceding six goals in the second half as unprofessional and termed it unacceptable. Manchester United have lost a few times this season but they haven’t found themselves annihilated as they were at Anfield on Sunday. This will call for a big reaction from the team but while at it, losses to Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City mean United may not be the title contenders they thought they were.
The big question then, is what next for United?
It is getting to the tough end of the season and Manchester United have a tough run of matches, being in three different competitions in the last three months of the season. All seemed to be going well for them until the Liverpool beating but questions will start arising.
It is clear, Manchester United needs a response. This is the third time in the current season that Manchester United have been thrashed after conceding at least four goals. The other times it was against Brentford, then arch rivals Manchester City. In both previous instances, United responded by winning the next league game.
They have two home matches to come after this defeat and the pressure will definitely be on, as they welcome Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie then against relegation-threatened Southampton in the Premier League.
The Liverpool loss was just a reminder of the shaky ground upon which United stand. In the earlier game, against West Ham United, they needed an own goal to come back and two stoppage time goals to win it.
The biggest quality that United will need to show right now, is their leadership within. Bruno Fernandes needed to stand strong on this after the late concession in the first half but that didn’t come up as the team was shredded to pieces. The fact that the manager hauled off Fred and Casemiro, and finished the match with youngsters Alejandro Garnacho Anthony Elanga, Tyrell Malacia and Scott McTominay points to the failed leadership when needed.