Manchester United’s failure to score an away goal against bitter rivals Liverpool has left them with a handful to do in the second leg next week, defender Chris Smalling said after Thursday’s 2-0 last-16 Europa League defeat at Anfield.
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Forward Daniel Sturridge scored a superb penalty to put Liverpool in lead before midfielder Roberto Firmino doubled the score in the 73rd minute.
They would have extended their advantage but for De Gea, who stood as a one-man barrier in the United goal, producing top-drawer saves to deny Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho, on two occasions.
Despite congratulating Liverpool on their good all-round performance, United’s Dutch coach Louis van Gaal had a bone to pick with both goals. Liverpool have also made a comeback in the Premier League, and they are looking for a finish among the top four this season.
Red Devils legend and BT Sport pundit Paul Scholes described United as “shambolic” as Van Gaal came under fire.
Klopp claims he did not see the penalty decision clearly, after Memphis Depay was adjudged to have fouled Nathaniel Clyne with contact between the pair right on the edge of the penalty area.
De Gea’s interventions in the first half meant that although United reached the break on the back foot, and opened up more times than they cared to remember, they were only one goal down and still very much in the game, never mind the tie.
Klopp felt United were fortunate to leave Anfield only trailing 2-0 as Liverpool took firm control. We just have to focus on reaching the levels we did in the first leg. Momentum is a big thing in football and we feel that we have got it’.
“We can recover and focus on the game but I am sure Manchester United players are fit enough to play two games in a week”.
“I haven’t seen it but I think also I have to say Fellaini was one of the best players on the pitch and I am very sorry when he makes a mistake like that”, he said.
Klopp is gradually transforming Liverpool into an energetic, coherent unit, in a way that Van Gaal has failed to do with Manchester United. “I want to say thank you to everyone that was involved”, said the German.
“We have to improve a lot to create more goals”. We are in a good position now, we want to go through to the next round. We are focused on the game this weekend and it is a massive game for us.
“I hope none of the players comes out saying sorry on Twitter”.
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But Evans, whose former employers beat Manchester United, courtesy of goals from Sturridge and Firmino, feels it is risky for Liverpool to perform such tricky moves in their own half. It shall be very hard, I know that, but it is possible.
