Paul Scholes: Manchester United vs Liverpool - I don't understand why Brendan Rodgers was not more attacking against Basel
In his exclusive column for The Independent, Scholes writes about Liverpool's performance in the week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.I can recall driving to Old Trafford in March to watch Liverpool play Manchester United and hearing the teams on the radio. Although United had Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the side, it was Liverpool with Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling who sounded much the stronger of the two, and so it proved.
They meet again on Sunday with Brendan Rodgers still picking up the pieces from another blow, the Champions League elimination by Basel. Last season I felt he had a confidence about him, and would pick attacking, positive teams. His selection on Tuesday was nothing like that. It was a game he needed to win and yet he picked a midfield of Joe Allen, Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva – all solid players but more than two from those three and the side feels defensive.
Liverpool needed to blast Basel out of the way. Instead Rodgers left Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho on the bench. At half-time he brought on a left-back, Alberto Moreno, and a winger, Lazar Markovic, who has done very little for him so far. Then when he did bring on Coutinho, a No 10 to his boots – he even wears the number – he played the Brazilian in central midfield.
Sterling aside, there was a real lack of pace in this Liverpool team. Both Glen Johnson and Jose Enrique struggled and you would expect that, on Sunday, United will attack the space between Johnson and Martin Skrtel where Basel got so much joy.
Even though they struggled at times against Southampton, United have the better attack of the two sides and Van Persie is in form. As far as Liverpool are concerned, for now I just cannot see from where they expect the goals to come.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments