LIVERPOOL boss Arne Slot has revealed the tactical insight he used to dismantle Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds came away with an emphatic 3-0 win thanks to a brace from Luis Diaz and a goal from Mohamed Salah.
Three errors in midfield, two from Casemiro and one from Kobbie Mainoo, were the architect of all three goals.
However, while individual errors played a part, Slot’s set-up against Erik ten Hag‘s side helped to leave the home side exposed and exacerbate any structural flaws in the first place.
The ex-Feyenoord boss broke down what he and his coaching team identified as weak points to the United set-up prior to the game.
He also highlighted the differences between the tactics used between this season and last season.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Last season, they were man-marking on the midfield, and they had a press with the seven and 11 (the wingers).
“So with the striker, and one of the wingers jumped with him.
“This season, they are more with a 9 and 10 press, so they’re more in a 4-4-2.
“So that’s different, of course. I see them, in my opinion, working harder if the ball is being played through them, so they run more. That’s at least what I saw in their first games.
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“Their style is also – this is maybe last season, I don’t remember that well – but their full-backs, nine out of ten times, are really high, and then Casemiro comes in between.
“So, if you pick up the ball and you can keep Diaz and Mo Salah high, then you’re constantly in a one-on-one situation.
“Then you need midfielders that can run, and we had three of them today that kept running, and if they arrive in a duel, they are aggressive enough to win it.
“So that was, I think, one of the main reasons why we could win today.”
Slot added it would only be a gamble to keep his wingers high if they did not get back and do their defensive work, but they fortunately did.
Roy Keane highlighted the fact that both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui had been caught out of position.
He said on Sky Sports: “Mistake from Casemiro here for all his experience.
“That is not a first-time pass it’s not worth the risk. And when they lose it they are all over the place.
“They’ve done this for the last couple of games and got away with it.
“Look at your right-back, where is your right-back? Where is your left-back!? You’re not in control.
“You can’t give the ball away that cheaply and it’s happened a number of times and at this level it’s brutal.”
The tactics of both sides created a lot of emphasis on winning 1v1 battles on the wing.
However, this saw Man Utd right winger Alejandro Garnacho struggle throughout the game as he was unable to get the best of Andy Robertson and was instead pinned mostly in his own half.
With the international break up next, Man Utd next visit Southampton in hopes of getting their season back on track, while Slot’s high-flying Reds host Nottingham Forest.
Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Tom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.