While it may just be the preseason, Manchester United are off to a flying start under Erik ten Hag. United thrashed Liverpool 4-0 at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok in their first preseason friendly.
United went 3-0 within 33 minutes from the kick-off to the crowd’s excitement as well as shock. First half goals from Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and a second half strike from academy player Facundo Pellistri did the job for United.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp provided his assessment from the game, who himself looked surprised by the result. While the German did admit that the loss ‘came too early’, he seemed more uncomfortable by the fact that his side failed to find the back of the net.
It was the first time in quite a time that United managed a clean-sheet against Liverpool, then be it a friendly. Moreover, with record signing Darwin Nunez on the pitch in the second half Liverpool still struggled to score.
Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool were second to United
Speaking in his post-match conference Jurgen Klopp said, “The result obviously stands there so we have to accept that always. Of course I think it’s clear we could have scored our goals as well.”
He continued, “It would have been an even more spectacular game because the goals we gave away… we should get assists for it, to be honest.”
“But they used their chances, so that’s how it is. They had really good moments, caused us problems in a few, but I saw a lot of good stuff from a team as well.”
The Liverpool boss further claimed that it was their fault not taking the chances to score despite attempting 18 shots to United’s 9.
“The game came a bit too early for us, individual mistakes happen in football. It was pretty clear where we made mistakes but we could have scored three or four in the last five minutes and we didn’t, that’s our fault.”
The manager gives his verdict on Darwin Nunez’s debut
Darwin Nunez was benched for the first half, making his debut in the second. However, the Uruguayan who scored 34 goals last season for Benfica too couldn’t help Liverpool breach United’s goal.
But Jurgen Klopp still had high praise for his £80 million signing. “It was his third session and I think after his third sprint his lung was nearly ready to explode, like we killed him nearly.”
“But he offered the runs and the boys wanted to pass the ball there, so that’s for sure one of his strengths.
“He was dangerous, all these kind of things. Now we will see but I think his profile is a proper number nine so that’s helpful with speed, all these kinds of things, with aggression, use his body,” added Klopp.
Liverpool will now travel to Singapore as they next face Crystal Palace in their preseason.