De Ligt points out the fatal weakness that caused Liverpool to collapse against MU

Center-back Matthijs de Ligt disclosed tactical insights indicating that Manchester United identified Liverpool’s vulnerability and capitalized on it to win 2-1 in the marquee Premier League clash.

Right after the kickoff, Man Utd displayed intensity and speed in their play. Within just 63 seconds, Bryan Mbeumo scored the opener for the visitors following a textbook counterattack. Although Liverpool quickly regained control, applied relentless pressure, and hit the woodwork three times, they only managed to equalize through a close-range finish by Cody Gakpo.

Just when the match seemed destined to end in a draw, Harry Maguire shone at the crucial moment, heading in Bruno Fernandes’ assist in the 84th minute to secure Man Utd’s first Premier League win over Liverpool since August 2022.

After the game, Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt revealed that Man Utd deliberately targeted weaknesses on both flanks where Liverpool lacked stability due to personnel changes. He stated bluntly: “We knew Liverpool had weaknesses on the two wings, specifically their full-backs. The whole team stayed focused and energized. In big matches like this, you have to remain alert for the entire 90 minutes.”

Specifically, the pair Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley were identified as the two “weak links” in Arne Slot’s formation. Both young full-backs lacked experience in high-profile games, and Man Utd exploited that thoroughly.

Kerkez, expected to replace Andy Robertson, endured a nightmare evening. Commentator Jamie Redknapp described him as “a chaotic mess due to nerves,” repeatedly making positional errors and allowing Man Utd’s wingers to exploit the space behind him.

On the opposite flank, Conor Bradley also showed insecurity. Despite his attacking enthusiasm, he lost both aerial duels and frequently misfired crosses, disrupting Liverpool’s offensive moves.

With the defense clearly unstable, coach Arne Slot faces a major challenge ahead of the trip to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League midweek. The return of key players like Andrew Robertson might offer a temporary fix, but clearly, Liverpool needs more to avoid slipping into crisis.