Suarez returns in United cup defeat

I always felt that Manchester United needed to win this match more than Liverpool did.

With David Moyes under pressure following a humiliating 4-1 defeat away to local rivals Manchester City on Sunday, another defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool in midweek only weeks after losing to them in the League would have just compounded the pressure placed on the former Everton manager. As a result, the hosts were happier with the victory, secured by an early second half goal from Hernandez, than the visitors were disappointed by defeat.

Not that the significance of the tie to the respective sides was reflected in their starting line-ups. While Liverpool started possibly their strongest eleven, with Luis Suarez returning following suspension, Moyes made eight changes to the team that were thoroughly beaten at the Etihad.

Nonetheless, the likes of De Gea, Rooney, Giggs and Hernandez did start for the home side, who began the brighter. In the opening ten minutes, Hernandez and Rooney saw shots blocked while Shinji Kagawa had a low strike comfortably saved by Mignolet before the Japanese midfielder curled over.

After weathering the early storm of attacks from United, Liverpool came into the match and were dominant for the rest of the first half. Luis Suarez clearly added another dimension to Liverpool’s attack, combining well with strike partner Sturridge, but, after missing 10 games, his lack of sharpness was also evident. This was demonstrated midway through the first period when his first touch from a beautiful searching Enrique cross wasn’t tight enough and a great chance to get in behind United’s defence was squandered as the ball ran through to De Gea.

It's good to have Suarez back

On the half hour mark Sturridge went close, deftly flicking goalwards from Henderson’s right wing centre but Smalling guided the attempt over. A first half during which Liverpool had been in the ascendancy ended with a hint of things to come, as Hernandez twisted and turned around the Reds’ defence and shot from 25 yards but saw his effort blocked by Skrtel, who continued his run of good form last night.

Unfortunately, Jose Enrique didn’t play quite as well as his Slovakian teammate. Yes, he looked threatening on occasion going forward and hopefully he will resume his almost telepathic understanding with Suarez now the number seven is available for selection again, but he can be a liability defensively, and it was his lack of concentration that ultimately proved decisive. Literally seconds after the restart, Hernandez lost his marker Enrique all too easily and got on the end of an in-swinging corner, side-footing past Mignolet to give United the lead.

Hernandez was happy to exploit Enrique's error

Liverpool responded by creating their best opening of the match ten minutes later. Front three Moses, Sturridge and Suarez combined to set up Henderson, who chose placement over power but frustratingly shot just wide of the post from the edge of the box. Kagawa then fired an excellent drive goalwards, which brushed the bar on its way over, before the Reds went close to equalising twice in two minutes twenty minutes from time.

First, Moses’ diving header from Enrique’s cross was punched away by De Gea. Had the loanee headed the ball either side of the keeper it would have found the back of the net, but unfortunately it was in the perfect place for the Spaniard to make the save. Then, Luis Suarez almost produced a bit of magic to level the score line, hitting the cross bar with a well taken free kick thanks to a slight deflection off the wall.

In the end, though, despite late efforts from Suarez, Henderson and even Kolo Toure, Liverpool failed to grab an equaliser and force extra time. For the second time in a row, it was woeful defending from a corner kick that cost Rodgers’ men dear as they conceded a goal that could so easily have been avoided. At the other end, the Reds had a promising 17 shots, although worryingly only three of them were on target. It seems, therefore, that Rodgers needs to concentrate on defending from set-pieces as well as shooting practice during training this week.

Although the result was disappointing and there are some specific areas Liverpool need to work on, overall it was a positive reaction to defeat to Southampton in the League last time out. The outcome may have been the same, but the performances were poles apart in terms of quality and commitment.

Hopefully the Reds can arrest their recent run of disappointing results- they have gone three games without a win- in their final two fixtures before the international break against Sunderland and Crystal Palace, which look eminently winnable.

YNWA