The fact United were able to leave Anfield with three points was largely down to David de Gea, who was by far the busier goalkeeper.
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It was his 176th English Premier League goal, a record for a player for a single club. They still are seven points off the pace of Arsenal and Leicester. Asking them to go on the type of run necessary to catch those two, while also leapfrogging Tottenham and Manchester City is simply too much to ask. We can overcome that so that’s what I’m thinking about. We could be first, second, bottom or second-bottom – it’s a massive game.
However, if anyone was going to win the game it looked as it would have been Liverpool, with the hosts outplaying an insipid United attack throughout large parts.
Asked if he believed United could win the championship, Van Gaal said: “We are seven points behind now”. United goalkeeper David de Gea kept out both shots, again demonstrating his importance and Liverpool’s need for a top-quality striker to finish off good build-up play.
“Today is very important because our competitors have lost points”, said the 64-year-old Dutchman.
Liverpool started without a recognized striker – playing Roberto Firmino alone up front – and while that helped the team dominate midfield, it left them short of firepower.
Wayne Rooney’s 78th-minute strike – United’s only shot on target yesterday – settled a game low on quality and eased pressure that had been building on Van Gaal.
Schneiderlin told MUTV: “In the first half, we didn’t win enough second balls”. We made a decision for this line-up and that’s not a problem in this moment.
Marouane Fellaini climbed highest inside the area to plant a header against the crossbar, and the ball dropped to Rooney, who lashed home the rebound from close range past a helpless Mignolet.
Will it be Liverpool or Manchester United that continues to climb up the Premier League table?
But French midfielder Schneiderlin says there was a lot of angry players in the changing room at the interval and even Liverpool players overheard the rows.
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The Merseyside giants have struggled to defend set pieces in the present campaign as Liverpool have gone on to concede several goals from dead-ball situations, especially corners.
