Manchester United star Matthijs de Ligt has revealed that his side deliberately targeted Liverpool's biggest 'weakness' to earn their first win at Anfield in almost a decade.
According to the Dutchman, the Red Devils' gameplan was to prey on Liverpool's full-back duo Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley, who have both endured disappointing starts to the season.
The full-back position has been a problem area for reigning champions Liverpool since the controversial exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer.
New signings Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have not yet hit the heights they displayed respectively at Bournemouth and Bayern Leverkusen, while Andrew Robertson and Bradley have also displayed a disappointing lack of form so far.
Arne Slot trusted Kerkez and Bradley to start against Manchester United on Sunday, while Frimpong came off the bench in the 89th minute to replace Mohamed Salah at right wing, rather than at right-back.
Speaking after the match, De Ligt told Viaplay: 'We knew that Liverpool had weaknesses, and that's their full-backs.
'We were all really hyped, and the focus was very high. Today was a game that you really have to be concentrated.'
United, who carved out a much-needed 2-0 win over Sunderland before the international break, made it two wins on the spin for the first time this season with the stunning late victory on Sunday.
Just 62 seconds into the match, United shocked Anfield with a quickfire goal through Bryan Mbeumo and fought hard to hold on to the slender lead until Cody Gakpo levelled terms for Liverpool in the 78th-minute.
Six minutes later, in a huge twist that led to Manchester United winning their first game at Anfield since 2016 under Louis van Gaal, Harry Maguire fired the visitors back in front with a superb header against the run of play.
Red Devils fans will hope the win over their bitter rivals marks a turning point for under pressure boss Ruben Amorim, who has now earned back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time since arriving at Old Trafford last November.
After the match, United legend Gary Neville delivered a scathing verdict on Liverpool's defensive display, describing the back line as 'really poor' and 'all over the place'.
'I think the individual performances of Liverpool's defenders was really poor, and decision making,' he said on The Gary Neville Podcast.
'The left back [Milos Kerkez] has not settled in... he plays like a 10-year-old left back, he's all over the place.
'At right back Conor Bradley was OK today, I don't think he did anything particularly wrong, but Van Dijk... I've not seen Van Dijk as shaky as that.
'Now sometimes, when a player comes back from an international break, it's been him that's been holding it together, but he had one of his worst games today.'
Aboika
0
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Aboika
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Sonaelos
0
Flop better then ur 4 defender 🤣🤣🤣and dont forget flop is isak 🤣🤣
real flop are flopian vits and isaaq sack😂🤣🤣🤣
Ceoacdikmu
0
yes I know we won the Match against Liverpool. but the truth is that their performance against us cannot be written off. if you watched the game carefully looking at how they both play and created chances, you'll see that Liverpool were very unlucky not to score at least 5 goals. Gadpo hit the post twice, he missed the header. Salah also missed the open and clear chance. Eketike came on and missed one. so if we assume to say two of those chances ended up in the net, Manchester United could've lost by a big margin. so sometimes that's how football is. still I was not convinced by Manchester United performance yesterday
what are u saying we won the match because we play well no body is seeing ur bad luck against alsenal our first match we have chances more than them, against Fulham the same we also miss a lot of chances in first half Bruno also hit bar the match should have been 2 to 3 sero at first half so let congratulate the boys, beside when last did man u won at anfield
dipadensty
0
Won just one in about 10 years and then they start to make noise. Liverpool will thrash Man United at Old Trafford... Wait and watch.
Last season united ended drawing with pool and I had a believe that it will win this match because the coach is not ten hag 😂
dipadensty
1
yes I know we won the Match against Liverpool. but the truth is that their performance against us cannot be written off. if you watched the game carefully looking at how they both play and created chances, you'll see that Liverpool were very unlucky not to score at least 5 goals. Gadpo hit the post twice, he missed the header. Salah also missed the open and clear chance. Eketike came on and missed one. so if we assume to say two of those chances ended up in the net, Manchester United could've lost by a big margin. so sometimes that's how football is. still I was not convinced by Manchester United performance yesterday
United has most chances created in pl but all are disconverted into goals. The truth is united was unlucky in some matches and on pool we became lucky so stop nonsense ✌️
codclnoz
1
Lol Flop with something to say
Flop better then ur 4 defender 🤣🤣🤣and dont forget flop is isak 🤣🤣
Kkrexuke
0
honestly, man UTD right wing combo of amad and diallo is ridiculously good, almost telepathic. at the same time, I am worried when we will lose both to the African cup in Dec and Jan.
fomcmrty
0
proud and happy of the victory, but I'm just giving out my honest opinion and analysis. Let's not get carried away by the winn. Manchester United are still a Team in progress.
You just want likes , how if Bruno scored his chance was that not supposed to be 2 nil ., how about United be arsenal? Who played better ?
AFeriPiE9405
0
Won just one in about 10 years and then they start to make noise. Liverpool will thrash Man United at Old Trafford... Wait and watch.
Stop talking and go to sleep
OverloadElidemaskino
0
Do you mean man unt didn't have their own chances? man unt played well against Arsenal but the lost you people criticized them and now they won u still criticize them
proud and happy of the victory, but I'm just giving out my honest opinion and analysis. Let's not get carried away by the winn. Manchester United are still a Team in progress.
zenbkmsu
2
Do you mean man unt didn't have their own chances? man unt played well against Arsenal but the lost you people criticized them and now they won u still criticize them
For real
Mebbclnptu
3
yes I know we won the Match against Liverpool. but the truth is that their performance against us cannot be written off. if you watched the game carefully looking at how they both play and created chances, you'll see that Liverpool were very unlucky not to score at least 5 goals. Gadpo hit the post twice, he missed the header. Salah also missed the open and clear chance. Eketike came on and missed one. so if we assume to say two of those chances ended up in the net, Manchester United could've lost by a big margin. so sometimes that's how football is. still I was not convinced by Manchester United performance yesterday
Do you mean man unt didn't have their own chances? man unt played well against Arsenal but the lost you people criticized them and now they won u still criticize them
busikmpsz
1
yes I know we won the Match against Liverpool. but the truth is that their performance against us cannot be written off. if you watched the game carefully looking at how they both play and created chances, you'll see that Liverpool were very unlucky not to score at least 5 goals. Gadpo hit the post twice, he missed the header. Salah also missed the open and clear chance. Eketike came on and missed one. so if we assume to say two of those chances ended up in the net, Manchester United could've lost by a big margin. so sometimes that's how football is. still I was not convinced by Manchester United performance yesterday
ur not a utd fan
cibcdklopr
0
Manchester United won because they very well
nasaelmosy
0
just say you were lucky, but talking about gamelan is hogwash. Do you mean in the other matches you have been playing without a plan? be humble.
stupid oil fc fan
nasaelmosy
0
just say you were lucky, but talking about gamelan is hogwash. Do you mean in the other matches you have been playing without a plan? be humble.
be hamble also ... we're talking about our win who makes you not to celebrate your win..the mentality of sporting small teams like oil fc
nasaelmosy
0
Every team got weakness Man United weakness is the midfield but playing as a team and getting quick results over your opponent is key in every game
well said
nasaelmosy
0
Won just one in about 10 years and then they start to make noise. Liverpool will thrash Man United at Old Trafford... Wait and watch.
but united have more wins than loserpool
nasaelmosy
1
Come back here after Liverpool play Man United at Old Trafford...
united knocked loserpool in FC cup was that one after 9 yrs
nasaelmosy
0
yes I know we won the Match against Liverpool. but the truth is that their performance against us cannot be written off. if you watched the game carefully looking at how they both play and created chances, you'll see that Liverpool were very unlucky not to score at least 5 goals. Gadpo hit the post twice, he missed the header. Salah also missed the open and clear chance. Eketike came on and missed one. so if we assume to say two of those chances ended up in the net, Manchester United could've lost by a big margin. so sometimes that's how football is. still I was not convinced by Manchester United performance yesterday
but united have more wins than loserpool
nasaelmosy
0
yes I know we won the Match against Liverpool. but the truth is that their performance against us cannot be written off. if you watched the game carefully looking at how they both play and created chances, you'll see that Liverpool were very unlucky not to score at least 5 goals. Gadpo hit the post twice, he missed the header. Salah also missed the open and clear chance. Eketike came on and missed one. so if we assume to say two of those chances ended up in the net, Manchester United could've lost by a big margin. so sometimes that's how football is. still I was not convinced by Manchester United performance yesterday
but United has more wins than loserpool
OverloadElidemaskino
2
yes I know we won the Match against Liverpool. but the truth is that their performance against us cannot be written off. if you watched the game carefully looking at how they both play and created chances, you'll see that Liverpool were very unlucky not to score at least 5 goals. Gadpo hit the post twice, he missed the header. Salah also missed the open and clear chance. Eketike came on and missed one. so if we assume to say two of those chances ended up in the net, Manchester United could've lost by a big margin. so sometimes that's how football is. still I was not convinced by Manchester United performance yesterday
AFerrExg2412
0
Lol Flop with something to say
Enisoft
1
Won just one in about 10 years and then they start to make noise. Liverpool will thrash Man United at Old Trafford... Wait and watch.
chai I feel Yor pain...we know the pain went straight to Yor whole body that might get yo hospitalised
Jupblmrtu
0
win is just a win... period
GopsAmeshu
0
Why don’t you thrashed them at anfield?
Come back here after Liverpool play Man United at Old Trafford...
mwichi11
0
was Chelsea not killed by the same Man U that killed Liverpool ano,hide your Jelousy maan......
I know you are a namibian, I can't just prove it 😂😂
Luddkmpsuy
0
Now they can talk about other team’s weakens just becoz they managed to win a poor Liverpool team. We will see how the result unfold when Brighton visit old trafford this weekend 🤣
Average fan supporting average club😂😂
Stephencise
0
Now they can talk about other team’s weakens just becoz they managed to win a poor Liverpool team. We will see how the result unfold when Brighton visit old trafford this weekend 🤣
You are a mumu man
Stephencise
0
Won just one in about 10 years and then they start to make noise. Liverpool will thrash Man United at Old Trafford... Wait and watch.
Why don’t you thrashed them at anfield?
biebcdmrs
0
Now they can talk about other team’s weakens just becoz they managed to win a poor Liverpool team. We will see how the result unfold when Brighton visit old trafford this weekend 🤣
was Chelsea not killed by the same Man U that killed Liverpool ano,hide your Jelousy maan......
GopsAmeshu
0
Won just one in about 10 years and then they start to make noise. Liverpool will thrash Man United at Old Trafford... Wait and watch.
/MADRIDISTA
1
Yet the mocked Trent saying they don’t need him😂😂😂
kbsarpong
1
Now they can talk about other team’s weakens just becoz they managed to win a poor Liverpool team. We will see how the result unfold when Brighton visit old trafford this weekend 🤣
but I thought Manchester United beat Chelsea also?
kbsarpong
5
Arne Slot is the Dutch Promax version of Ten Hag
OLAGYDE004
1
Now they can talk about other team’s weakens just becoz they managed to win a poor Liverpool team. We will see how the result unfold when Brighton visit old trafford this weekend 🤣
what was the result when they played again you 😂
bueaiostz
2
Slot is a dunce to football
Lozcdlpyz
6
Patrick Dorgu isn't good enough
Kuriadavid
0
It’s none of your concern fool
Stay with your team fool go to league one fool
Kuriadavid
0
Who’s this average club supporter talking about😂😂
Don’t be stupid young tolder which small club are you Talking about🫵🫵🫵🫵🫵and we trashed you
Melusisibs
4
I remember ETH used to play Maguire front line n Bruno back
Charlesugwu
3
What an expo to the Liverpool's next opponents. It all also shows that United isn't out of the woods yet
Barongagz02
3
Now they can talk about other team’s weakens just becoz they managed to win a poor Liverpool team. We will see how the result unfold when Brighton visit old trafford this weekend 🤣
Luddkmpsuy
1
just say you were lucky, but talking about gamelan is hogwash. Do you mean in the other matches you have been playing without a plan? be humble.
Who’s this average club supporter talking about😂😂
ficcelmsu
6
don't get carried away guys..we need consistency 💯
AmoG5150
1
Every team got weakness Man United weakness is the midfield but playing as a team and getting quick results over your opponent is key in every game
You have said it all.
Jieabkmpr
3
just say you were lucky, but talking about gamelan is hogwash. Do you mean in the other matches you have been playing without a plan? be humble.
It’s none of your concern fool
Rhema10
6
Every team got weakness Man United weakness is the midfield but playing as a team and getting quick results over your opponent is key in every game
POISZON-KE
3
just say you were lucky, but talking about gamelan is hogwash. Do you mean in the other matches you have been playing without a plan? be humble.