Manchester United: A Tactical Review of the 2-1 Game Against Liverpool

1. Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard in Central midfield.

This move by Dalglish had a double benefit. Offensively, Gerrard and Henderson provided the running that Liverpool required to connect to the final third. Defensively, both gave a touch of intercepting steel to the midfield. In theory, it was perfect to be able to contain Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick. As a result, Scholes and Carrick went deeper and controlled United's play from deep. United also had better passers than Liverpool, enabling them to keep the ball better than Liverpool when they went forward.

Possession Stats: Manchester United 55%-45% Liverpool

2. United playing through Liverpool.

In effect, United were playing two deep forwards in the same system that they had played in the Community Shield. Both Welbeck and Rooney drop off from a central striker space, not in turns, but sometimes in tandem. Welbeck dropped to the flank, and Rooney dropped left of Spearing. Rooney also came deeper to get the ball from time to time.  This meant that United played through Scholes and Carrick, who started United's moves. They passed wide, and to Rooney (more often the former). The wide men brought the ball inside for either of the full backs to attack it. In this process, they played around the Liverpool midfield of interceptors.

3. Jay Spearing's Role

He didn't really seem to be man-marking anyone, but rather staying in his zone. He was just running around playing a Lucas-type role. Danny Welbeck exposed him very well by drawing him away by dropping deep.Valencia also drew him out for the goal (forcing an error), where Rooney was left free in front of the back four to make his run and score.

4. Substitutions by Dalglish

Carroll and Bellamy were brought on by Dalglish in the 61st minute. Liverpool were now in a 4-4-2, with Kuyt and Bellamy on the wings, Suarez dropping off Carroll, and Gerrard and Henderson  in the centre. Suarez dropped into the zone occupied by Scholes and Carrick, and managed to pressure them. The space he enjoyed and the damage he caused was visible as he won Liverpool a free-kick in the attacking midfield zone. He  got a goal from that free-kick.