The doubts about Manchester United’s chances at Anfield were highlighted in Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s press conference before the 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Surprisingly, the first question Slot faced was whether he would rest key players considering United’s 14th place position in the Premier League.
Despite the significant gap between the two teams last season, Liverpool failed to win any of their three encounters.
Perhaps the spirited performance by the Red Devils should not have been a surprise, leading to more frustration for the hosts against their rivals.
United’s disciplined back three performed well, with a speedy attack causing problems on the counter, resulting in a disappointing outcome for Liverpool.
Liverpool fans could see similarities with Slot’s only defeat against Nottingham Forest, as United frustrated the hosts and capitalized on counter-attacks.
Despite the setback, Liverpool have a chance to learn from this experience before their next match against Nuno Espirito Santo’s team.
The absence of Dominik Szoboszlai on Sunday had a significant impact on Liverpool, as they missed his leadership in pressing and tireless work rate.
While it’s easy to point out changes in personnel after a defeat, Szoboszlai’s absence was genuinely felt in this match.
His suspension and subsequent illness meant Liverpool lacked his energy and ability to fill gaps in midfield.
Unfortunately, his replacement Curtis Jones struggled, allowing United to dominate the midfield battle.