Manchester United's onslaught in the second half did not last long. After all, Liverpool is not a vegetarian and often steals the ball to play threatening offense. After a few more passes, Manchester United's midfielders and backfielders no longer dare to push too far forward.
Without the support of midfielders and backcourt players, it is difficult to break through Liverpool's overall defense with just a few players in the frontcourt.
The two sides resumed the mode of fighting and attacking each other in the midfield.
In this mode of competition, with home games, better overall strength, high-position pressing tactics, and the advantage of Willard as a plug-in holder, Liverpool has the advantage.
Although there are many mistakes due to objective reasons, after a few more attempts, results can still be achieved.
In the 68th minute, Velarde received a pass from Coutinho from outside the penalty area and fired a heavy shot from a long distance, forcing goalkeeper De Gea to save the ball from the baseline and win a corner kick.
Then, in this corner kick attack, Willard leapt high in the penalty area, overpowered Manchester United center back Blind to grab the first point, and flicked his head towards the goal.
The ball passed goalkeeper De Gea's hand and flew into the goal against the lower edge of the crossbar.
“Goooooooooooooooooal…”
"The ball went in!!!"
"Two goals!"
"Willard scored a header and scored twice to help the Reds lead 3-0 at home."
"If the first round ends with this score, then Liverpool's probability of advancing to the next round will be very high."
"Even if we return to Old Trafford, it will be very difficult for Manchester United to recover from a three-goal disadvantage and deny Liverpool an away goal."
"Therefore, if Manchester United wants to come back to life and retain a little possibility of a comeback in the second round, they must score at least an away goal in this game. Returning to home in that round and beating Liverpool 2-0 can win the away game. Advance on goal advantage.”
"The remaining time, I don't know if it will be enough for Manchester United to score a goal."
There is actually enough time, it is only 68 minutes now, and if you include injury time, there are still more than 20 minutes before the end of the game. Not to mention one ball, three balls or four balls are possible, but it requires a lot of luck. But it is entirely possible to score a goal. An own goal, a deflection, or a lucky goal can be scored at any time.
Of course, Manchester United will not be satisfied with just scoring one goal. They are eager to score four goals in a row, stage a super reversal, and leave Anfield with their heads held high.
But the game still has to be played kick by kick.
After the game restarted, Manchester United, which was already three goals behind, went a little crazy. Both the fighting intensity and the forward pressure of the formation were greatly improved.
In the 74th minute, defensive midfielder Fellaini tackled Coutinho, causing Emre Can to step forward and push Fellaini. A physical conflict broke out between the players on both sides. In the end, Fellaini and Emre Can each Got a yellow card.
In the 82nd minute, Liverpool stole the ball and launched a quick counterattack. Finally, Willard made a pass from the left. Sturridge headed the ball in the middle and gave Captain Henderson, who had inserted in the back row, a volley. Chance.
Unfortunately, Henderson's volley failed to hit the door frame this time and was slightly higher than the crossbar.
As time went by, there was less and less time left for Manchester United, and Manchester United became more and more impatient. Van Gaal substituted two forwards for a last-ditch effort.
But amid the cheers of the home fans in the Anfield stands, Liverpool united and successfully withstood all Manchester United's attacks. Had it not been for the Red Army's near-luck, it might even have been possible to expand the score in the counterattack.
Although they failed to expand the score in the end, when the referee Carlos Velasco blew the whistle at the end of the game and the score was fixed at 3-0, all the Liverpool people cheered and celebrated excitedly.
With a score of 3-0, 99% of the time we have already won. Although there are many examples in history of leading by three goals at home in the first round and being overturned by the opponent in the second round on the road, such examples are too rare and the probability is too low at this time. A three-goal lead in the first round basically killed the suspense of the second round.
What's more, it was a three-goal victory over its arch-enemy, so Liverpool had every reason to celebrate.
The Red Army was happy from top to bottom, but Manchester United and neutral fans were not so happy.
The media commented after the game:
"In the first leg of the Europa League 1/8 finals yesterday, Anfield hosted the first English national derby in the history of the European war, Liverpool VS Manchester United."
"I thought it was a close match, but the result was unexpected. Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-0. Manchester United was almost unable to fight back."
"Three goals difference and Manchester United haven't scored any away goals."
"If Liverpool can score an away goal in the second leg, Manchester United will have to score five goals to eliminate Liverpool."
"This is so difficult."
"It can be said that the suspense in the second round has basically been killed, and Liverpool will hardly have much difficulty in advancing to the quarterfinals of the Europa League."
"This score also allows them to focus more on the league, continue to put pressure on Leicester City to catch up in the Premier League standings, and force the Blue Fox to make mistakes."
"Since Ferguson retired, the Red Devils and Manchester United seem to have lost their spiritual leader and motivation. Their strength and form have declined significantly. This season, they are about to lose all four majors. I don't know when they will recover."
"Liverpool, on the other hand, under the leadership of Klopp and Alan Willard, is on a promising road and is expected to achieve a breakthrough of zero Premier League titles."
A disparity in strength and an anticlimactic English national derby was a huge disappointment. But it is excellent news for Liverpool. They can continue to send their main players in the next league game, and then rotate in the second round of the Europa League.
Three days later, on March 13, in the 30th round of the Premier League, Liverpool faced Chelsea at home.
In this round of games that has already been played, Leicester City defeated Newcastle United 1-0 and scored three points at the minimum cost.
Ranieri's team has had many 1-0 small wins this season, and they are really unlucky. Whenever their opponents score a goal, they will lose 2 points, but they just can't score.
Although luck itself is also a part of football, Leicester City's luck this season is indeed enviable.
For teams like Liverpool chasing points, they just have to fight one game at a time. In this round, if they cannot defeat their opponents and take all three points, they will be widened by the Blue Fox.
Not to mention a big victory over the opponent in the first round of the Europa League, the second round can be rotated. Even if they don't win a big victory, Liverpool don't dare to rotate in the league. Once they fail to win, they will be widened by Leicester City.
Must go all out.
