The Mersey derby could have been an opportunity for Manchester United to kick off their season and dispel doubts about the squad coached by Erik ten Haag. Failed: the Red Devils experienced a real debacle and humiliation at Old Trafford, for the last match of the 3rd day of the Premier League. We knew the Reds were probably superior, they who, despite the departure of Jürgen Klopp, had already won their first two matches this season. But not as much…
The first act, punctuated by a double from Colombian Luis Diaz, with a header (0-1, 35th) then with the inside of his foot (0-2, 42nd), each time on a pass from Mohamed Salah, was enough to understand the difference in level between the two teams. The duel of the Dutch coaches turned badly in favor of Arne Slot, who was coaching his first derby, as Liverpool controlled and mastered this game. The former strongman of Feyenoord saw his baptism of fire take an even more favorable turn on a lightning counterattack, nicely concluded by the man of all good moves, Mo Salah, this time with Szoboszlai at the helm (0-3, 56th).
The recruits didn’t show much
Despite the presence of new recruits Matthijs De Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee, the Mancunians did not show that they had the means to discuss on equal terms with their visitors and historic rivals. The locals also had to deplore the catastrophic performance of Casemiro, largely responsible for the second Liverpool goal and taken off at half-time by Ten Haag. Given the situations that the Reds created for themselves, the bill could have been even higher…
Only two teams have won their first three games of the Premier League season so far: Manchester City and Liverpool, two of the usual suspects of the championship. The Citizens and the Reds seem to have the weapons they need to wage a great battle throughout the season.
