Alan Shearer criticizes the standards of attacking play from Liverpool while comparing Manchester United to a league-two side

Alan Shearer lambasted the poor standards of attacking play from Liverpool while calling Manchester United a “league two team”. Liverpool played United to a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the Northwest derby game after the visitors parked the bus.

The Reds dominated the game from start to finish, having 69% of the possession and 34 shots. However, Liverpool only managed to hit the target eight times as United played for a draw from the get-go.

The anti-climatic derby game shocked the fans and football pundits as Liverpool’s historic rivals resorted to such negative tactics. However, the Man United fans rejoiced at the draw after the 7-0 battering they received at Anfield last season.

Last season, United went into the derby game at Anfield, full of confidence as the Reds struggled with form. Despite the struggle, Liverpool humiliated United by scoring a record seven goals that played a psychological role during this visit.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revamped the midfield successfully during the summer and proclaimed his new-look squad as “Liverpool 2.0”. The steep return to the top of the table has surprised many experts who expected a gradual positive transition.

On the flip side, United’s manager Erik ten Hag has enjoyed substantial financial support and a free hand in the recruitment process. Nevertheless, United have suffered a nightmare start, already crashing out of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup. One would expect a club that has spend more than a billion in players’ recruitment during the past decade to be more confident against their biggest rivals.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast (h/t Liverpool Echo), Shearer chastised the attacking proficiency of Liverpool throughout the game. He said:

“I can’t believe I had to watch it live and then sit and watch it again for Match of the Day. It was an awful game, the standard was poor. Liverpool were the better team and had more chances, more possession, but the standard of forward play from both teams was terrible.”

Shearer went ahead and compared United with the league two teams for the overly defensive tactics they deployed. He said:

“We said that in the office, this looks like a League Two team (Manchester United) in the FA Cup that’s hanging on for dear life to try and get a replay, a point or whatever.”

Attacking woes and tactical predicaments: Liverpool’s conundrum upfront

Liverpool main forward Darwin Nunez has received heavy scrutiny after the draw as his goal draught continues. The Uruguayan deserves criticism for his lack of composure that led to many big misses in recent games. However, some critics have unfairly and hatefully targeted Nunez with excessive criticism and personal agendas.

On the other hand, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah had a poor outing themselves as they wasted too many opportunities. The biggest issue is the left-wing position currently occupied by Luis Diaz as he has been out of form recently.

The Colombian international seems like an individual playing in a team game at times, incapable of linking up with others. While Salah and Nunez are forming positive link up chemistry, Diaz looks more eager to only dribble and shoot. The 26-year-old has struggled to beat his opponent in one-on-one duels in many occasions since returning from injury.

Jürgen Klopp was pleased with plenty of aspects of our performance in #LIVMUN but rued the lack of calmness in the final third:

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 17, 2023

Liverpool’s attack has also suffered heavily from the ripple effect of playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in inverted right-back role. The 24-year-old is the best playmaker in the team and has performed sensationally from the midfield this season.

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However, when Klopp opts to play him as a right-back drifting inwards on possession, Liverpool loses an overlapping fullback option. Fullbacks are generally the one who stretch the opponents in attacking phases to create spaces for attackers. The tactics creates a very narrow and congested situation in the attacking third that is suitable for a team with intend of defending narrowly.

Klopp has a decision to make in the January, to solve the conundrum by signing a proper first-team right-back. However, whether Klopp truly intends to transition Trent into the midfield remains uncertain, despite considerable evidence supporting this possibility.