2 weeks ago
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Matthijs de Ligt has disclosed that Manchester United intentionally exploited Liverpool's full-backs during the Reds' 2-1 defeat to the Red Devils on Sunday.
Harry Maguire netted a late winner for Ruben Amorim's squad, leading to Arne Slot's players suffering their fourth consecutive loss and their first home defeat to their fierce rivals since 2016.
Bryan Mbeumo got United off to a flying start in the Premier League clash, slipping the ball past Giorgi Mamardashvili after play continued despite a head injury to Alexis Mac Allister. Cody Gakpo managed to level the score for Liverpool in the 78th minute, but only six minutes later, Maguire headed in a Bruno Fernandes' cross, deepening the Reds' woes.
Liverpool did have numerous opportunities against United, with Gakpo hitting the post three times, both the Dutchman and Mohamed Salah squandering clear-cut chances, and Alexander Isak being thwarted by Senne Lammens in a one-on-one situation.
However, the Reds' defensive frailties were once again exposed, as they conceded twice in a game for the seventh time from just 12 matches in all competitions this season.
Summer recruit Milos Kerkez had another difficult day at left-back, finding himself up against Amad Diallo, as well as both Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha at different points.
De Ligt has now revealed that United deliberately targeted the Hungarian, along with right-back Conor Bradley, admitting that the Red Devils viewed Liverpool's full-back positions as a "weakness."
"We knew that Liverpool had weaknesses, and that's their full-backs," he confessed to ViaPlay. "We were all really hyped, and the focus was very high. Today was a game that you really have to be concentrated in."
Kerkez played the entire match at left-back against United, while Bradley was substituted after 62 minutes for Florian Wirtz, resulting in Dominik Szoboszlai shifting to right-back. Jeremie Frimpong later came on for Mohamed Salah as a right-winger, with United's winning goal originating from the Liverpool right-hand side after their first goal resulted from a play down the Reds' left defence.
Following the defeat, Kerkez faced widespread criticism, with former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp describing the left-back as a "nervous wreck."
"Kerkez is very nervous. He's like a nervous wreck out there," he commented on Sky Sports. "I feel for him. It's almost a bit too much for him. The game is happening a bit too fast and Diallo is causing him problems. With Mbeumo and Cunha they've gone for a different approach with a bit more pace."
Meanwhile, former Reds defender Stephen Warnock also criticized Kerkez's performance, questioning his partnership with Virgil van Dijk on the left-hand side of the Liverpool defence.
"Kerkez and Van Dijk's relationship on this left-hand side is not working," he commented on BBC Radio 5 Live. "There is a lack of communication, and the ball is getting slipped down the side far too many times. Again they are far too easy to get at. Far too vulnerable to the turnover of possession."
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher also expressed his confusion over the Reds' defensive struggles on Kerkez's side. "Normally the right hand side of Liverpool's defence gets punished. But today it's the left hand side," he stated on Sky Sports. "Kerkez and Van Dijk have struggled. The United system is causing Liverpool all sorts of problems. Kerkez doesn't look comfortable."
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