This match is about as close to a real Premiership battle as you can get in the pre-season. Just ask Ander Herrera, who looks completely out of his league, committing foul after foul, and should've received a yellow card for his donkey performance so far. Speaking of fouls, some of these calls are mind-bottling. Especially the foul called on Sterling I believe in favor of Phil Jones. Are you kidding me? How did little ole Sterling foul the ogre?
As for the penalty that was called, it was suspect to say the least, but the penalty that wasn't called later negates it. Sterling took on three defenders, got taken down from behind while still in possession of the ball in the box, and that's not a penalty? Just adds to the horrible calls throughout and makes it feel like more of a Liverpool-United Prem match with the Mancs getting the mystery calls. That goal kick called for United when it clearly goes off Sterling-beaten Smalling was just laughable.
As for individual performance, Coutinho and Sterling have been outstanding. Some of the dribbling by Coutinho has been Suarez-esque and Raheem is just being himself. I really wish he would take a more 'straight at the opponent' approach at times, a la Messi, sometimes when he hesitates it appears to work against him. Gerrard and Kelly have played well also.
No one has played particularly bad, well, Johnson made that brilliant pass to Sterling to win the penalty, but that positive memory is fading fast as he continues to be useless since. Sakho is giving me a cardiac arrest, why does he feel the need to go forward all the time? Stay back, son, and play some defense.
It appeared early on, United was playing a Chelsea-like 'play back and wait for Liverpool to make a mistake strategy', but what it really was they were waiting to forge a massive counter attack forward and it was about the only time they've been 'scary'. Clearances from Sakho and Skrtel saved the day, but Chicharito should have put the ball in the back of the net.
Okay, onwards and upwards to the second half...
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