He was not among the quartet of attackers to score but the presence of Harvey Elliott in Liverpool’s starting XI proved crucial in yesterday’s historic 7-0 win over Manchester United.
Elliott was a surprise starter in a game where many would have expected Jurgen Klopp to field his strongest and most disciplined midfield trio. But the decision to form Elliott indicated that Klopp was trying something different in terms of the lineup. Manchester United never really got a handle on Liverpool’s approach and Elliott helped fill Casemiro and let Cody Gakpo shine.
4-3-3 on paper and defensively, Liverpool’s possession was more of a 4-2-2-2. Jordan Henderson played alongside Fabinho at left flank while Elliott functioned as a secondary No10 rather than right central midfielder. Here you can see Liverpool’s form within the first minute.
Also in the first minute, Casemiro dropped a long ball under pressure from Elliott. The Brazilian took a heavy touch and Gakpo chipped in to intercept. He turned Casemiro and was brought down for a free kick. That would be the story of the first half – those two players on either side of Casemiro who cause problems that United never solved.
Here’s an interesting example of United’s problem when Liverpool hit a long ball down. Defenders have gotten into an odd shape – full-backs behind centre-backs, in part to trace the runs of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez from the outside in. Further up, Casemiro is close to Elliott and Fred is running back with Jordan Henderson. But Gakpo remains free.
The question was who would turn it off. Here, with Fabinho on the ball and being closed by Fred, Casemiro is back on the left keeping an eye on Elliott. Raphael Varane is tempted to step up and take out Gakpo, who is positioned next to the referee, but that is dangerous because it would create space for Nunez to run into.
He already draws Diogo Dalot very narrowly and that was part of United’s problem in the first half – Nunez’s threat made it difficult for Varane to step forward.
A minute later, Varane is the man tasked with closing down Gakpo. And down below – with Liverpool’s midfield more a rhombus than a box – it’s Lisandro Martinez who needs to move wide from the defense to tag him.
And here, with Gakpo back in a central position between the lines, it’s right-back Dalot who moves high, level with Casemiro, to cover for Gakpo.
Three Manchester United defenders are dragged onto the pitch by Gakpo as Casemiro watches Elliott almost exclusively. There is of course nothing wrong with United tagging Gakpo alternately as he moves to different zones, but the problem was that he often went untagged. Here he calls for a square ball from Elliott.
Here he finds room for a game change – again the Manchester United midfield trio are concerned about Liverpool’s other three midfielders.
And little by little, Liverpool found Gakpo in dangerous positions. Here, Salah receives a forward ball and sweeps it to Gakpo, who feeds Nunez.
Here’s another situation watching United’s midfield trio Fabinho, Henderson and Elliott. Antony is nearby, but really just watching Andy Robertson. Henderson can put the ball through to Gakpo and Liverpool have great attacking options.
This was almost the moment Gakpo’s freedom proved crucial. Henderson nods the ball at Gakpo, who just has to play a relatively easy pass into Salah and Liverpool are in. But he plays it too close to Martinez, who intercepts.
But eventually the opener came. Again, it starts with Gakpo positioning himself in between the lines in this left inside position.
But first, Liverpool switch the ball to Robertson on the near side. Since Antony is no longer in the picture, Dalot approaches him to close it. For the first time, Gakpo is now being watched by Fred, who is retiring from his midfield role.
Robertson deftly dribbles inside and waits for the right angle for a pass. Dalot follows him. Fred has now become the right-back but thoroughly mixes up this situation by anticipating the pass wide to Gakpo when he should stay in line of the ball. He tries to regain his position, stumbles and the pass is brought in behind him.
And it’s a classic finish from here – Gakpo checks past Varane and deflects the ball home to give Liverpool a crucial 1-0 lead at half-time.
After the break, Liverpool were rampant. Elliott crossed to Nunez to round off a weak second goal, then Salah and Gakpo combined brilliantly at the break to make it 3-0.
From there Manchester United collapsed and unlike the last game at Old Trafford when Liverpool took a 5-0 lead, they kept playing. Gakpo, Nunez and Salah all scored two goals, while substitute Roberto Firmino scored seven.
This second half will long be remembered by Liverpool fans. But the first half could satisfy Klopp more. In a difficult season in which his approach was often questioned, his tactical plan worked perfectly.
(Top Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)