Arne Slot made one simple tactical half-time switch which changed the game for Liverpool vs Man United
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Liverpool were absolutely woeful. Apparently United are allowed to handle balls into the net now 😤 Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images Then, out of nowhere, they suddenly turned up.
Goals for Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo may have been of United’s own making with some sloppy mistakes of their own, but it was also clear that Arne Slot‘s decision to swap Gakpo and Florian Wirtz caused the home team all kinds of problems.Playing Gakpo through the middle changed the gamePrior to the match on Sunday, Rousing The Kop predicted that Gakpo could take over from Mohamed Salah as Liverpool’s go-to man against their old enemy.The Dutchman has an excellent record against United, and after news filtered through that Alexander Isak would miss the game through injury, it seemed an obvious choice for Slot to play his countryman through the middle.The Liverpool boss made a different choice, though, going with Wirtz in a false nine role and Gakpo on the left.READ MORE: Liverpool fans are in complete agreement about Arne Slot against Manchester UnitedPhoto by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesSafe to say, it did not work, and while he ran hard, Wirtz’s lack of physical presence meant United’s defenders were given an easy day at the office.Something needed to change, and to Slot’s credit he made the necessary switch. Which Liverpool player was most to blame for defeat against Manchester United?
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images Switch not enough to win, but offers hope moving forwardUltimately, Liverpool’s first-half performance left them with too much to do to get back and take something from their trip to Old Trafford. But, if the Swede is not ready for next week’s clash with Chelsea, it has to be Gakpo who plays in his place.The Wirtz conundrum continues to baffle everyone connected with Liverpool, and is still not clear where his best position for the Reds will be.What is now obvious, however, is that it will not be as the furthest forward, central point of their attack.Slot learned that the hard way against United, and though he deserves credit for changing things and improving Liverpool, there will be frustration that he did not choose the right way from the start.