Liverpool showcased their identity at Anfield on Tuesday night. For 90 minutes, the Reds dominated Manchester United using their intensity, beating their historic rivals by four goals to nil.
Jurgen Klopp's men appeared aligned from top to bottom. Every player was encouraged to behave in an attacking manner with and without the ball, with pressing forming an integral part of how Liverpool defended during the game.
"I think United could have had a much better game," said the Reds coach after the match." But because of our counter-pressing - which was sensational - it didn't happen. Our counter-press was second to none. It was a good night."
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Liverpool rank top of the Premier League for pressures in the final third this season. They also place top for high turnovers, shots from high turnovers and goals from high turnovers. It is ingrained into the DNA of Klopp's players.
It is more than can be said for those representing United. They appeared lost at Anfield and torn between different approaches.
'A little bit of pressing is like little bit of pregnant' is a famous Ralf Rangnick quote, but the Red Devils showcased exactly that during their midweek trip to Merseyside. Throughout the game, United seemed confused regarding whether to close down their opponents or whether to allow them to have possession unchallenged.
The opening goal of the bout epitomised the problem. "We were just not up to it," said Rangnick. "For the first goal, that was not part of the game plan - to be that high up. Our left side was completely open.”
Upon inspection of the incident, it is reasonable to suggest that he has a point. As Mohamed Salah assumed possession in his own half, Diogo Dalot opted to press him - as shown below - and as a result, Harry Maguire followed.
As United stepped up the field in that moment, space emerged behind their defence and Liverpool quickly moved to exploit it, with Sadio Mane playing a pass in behind Dalot and Maguire.
The Reds scored seconds later after Salah assisted Luis Diaz, with the incisive move stemming from United's broken formula on the defensive side of the game.
The pressing methods of Klopp allowed the Manchester outfit to muster just two shots on goal. They accumulated a possession share of just 28% throughout the clash, their lowest total for the season.
As Liverpool edge closer towards achieving the impossible at the end of the campaign, their arch enemies continue to drift in search of a meaningful identity.
