Daily Express

Liverpool player ratings vs Man Utd: 4/10 duo flop as Alexander Isak fears hit new heights

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Liverpool's recent performance against Manchester United highlighted several key issues, particularly in the form of Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak. ## Player Performance - **Mohamed Salah**: Salah's struggles continued as he received a low rating of **5**. Despite his history of goal involvements against Manchester United, he was unable to replicate his past form. His shot selection was poor, and he was substituted in an attempt to salvage the game[2]. - **Alexander Isak**: Isak, the British-record £125m striker, failed to deliver on expectations. His one-on-one miss early in the game summed up his performance, and he was unable to capitalize on any further opportunities. His rating mirrored Salah's at **5**[2]. - **Dominik Szoboszlai**: Szoboszlai received a higher rating of **7**, reflecting his energetic display. He was effective with his long-range passes and continued to contribute both defensively and offensively, even when shifted to right-back[2]. - **Cody Gakpo**: Gakpo impressed with a rating of **7**, showcasing his ability to create chances. He played a crucial role in Liverpool's attempts to score, although his team's overall performance was subpar[2]. ## Tactical Issues Liverpool faced significant challenges in their defensive shape, with Virgil van Dijk having an off day. The team's left side, managed by Milos Kerkez, lacked cohesion and was unable to exploit the space provided by United's defense effectively[1]. Central midfielders, such as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, struggled to control the game, with Gravenberch only lasting an hour due to injury concerns[1]. Overall, the game highlighted Liverpool's ongoing struggles in both defense and offense, with key players underperforming.