“You play and think everything will work out. Then there’s one mistake. Then, another mistake. Then, another mistake. You try to turn things around, but the harder you try, the more you sink. Until finally you can’t move, can’t breathe, because your head is sunk. Like quicksand.” Those words were spoken by Shane Falco, a character in the movie “The Replacements”. Shane Falco was played by Keanu Reeves in the 2000 film.
The story is about an American football team that was abandoned by all its players, because of a salary problem and then they went on strike. In order for the team to continue performing, the pro players were filled with a bunch of misfits, or people who weren’t up to the task, I think. Falco is a quarterback and he has to lead his colleagues, most of whom have no background as American football athletes.
Those words were spoken by Falco, when the team coach, Jimmy McGinty, played by Gene Hackman, asked about the description of the team’s condition after they kept losing. The team did not play cohesively, understandably they had just been put together as a team. What Falco said can describe the situation experienced by Manchester United when they were crushed by Liverpool at Anfield, in the English Premier League match, last March 5, with a final score of 7-0 for Juergen Klopp’s troops.
Before the match, on television, it was seen that the United players did a small warm-up with a serious but bright face. They are very optimistic to be able to win, well at least draw. This is Anfield, by the way.
The game starts, everything is still fine. Approaching halftime, Cody Gakpo, who was positioned as a striker that afternoon, scored in the 43rd minute. United’s players had no chance to reply in such a narrow time. The whistle sounded and everyone went into the locker room, confident that they would be able to strike back in the second half.
Two minutes into the second half, Darwin Nunez made a fuss. Receiving the ball from Harvey Elliott, Darwin scores a goal. Not enough. In the 50th minute, just three minutes after Darwin’s goal, Gakpo scored again. Mohamed Salah in action with his assist.
Behind 0-3, the United players started frenzied. They are trying to score goals. However, just as Falco said with his quicksand theory, the more United tried, the more messed up it got. This time, it was Salah who stunned United’s players with a goal that occurred in the 66th minute.
Not quite up 4-0, Darwin scored again through bait captain Jordan Henderson in the 77th minute. Up to this point, the United players have struggled more and more, to be free from the quicksand metaphor, but failed. Every time United’s players tried to break into Alisson’s goal, Liverpool’s players conveniently counterattacked, so United’s efforts were raw again.
Roberto Firmino replaced Gakpo in the 79th minute and it didn’t take long for the Brazilian striker to set up another pass for Salah. Score 6-0! At this point, United’s players are increasingly frustrated. What could be done in seven minutes plus injury time to equalize at 6-6? Nearly impossible. Even scoring one goal is difficult, let alone having to score six.
Five minutes after Salah’s goal, it was Firmino’s turn to score the last goal for his club of the game; 7-0 to Liverpool! In the 88th minute, all of United’s players were immersed in quicksand. Their morale had collapsed, which they should have when they were trailing at least 0-4 or 0-5.
Bruno Fernandes, United’s captain, became one of the figures who were blasphemed. As captain, the Portuguese player should have shown toughness that can be passed on to his colleagues. Honestly, those around Fernandes wish that.
However, what happened was that Fernandes was confused why he was not replaced by Anthony Elanga in the 85th minute. Manager Erik ten Hag ordered Elanga to fill in for Marcus Rashford, who was suddenly dull that night. Now, Ten Hag must try to get all of his players out of the quicksand trap. Don’t let the embarrassing defeat to Liverpool make his team sink even more.
There are still many games facing United this March. Nothing is insignificant. Twice met representatives of Spain, Real Betis, in the last 16 of the Europa League. Leg I on March 9, where Old Trafford Stadium hosts first. Leg II took place a week later at Betis’ home, Benito Villamarin.
Ten Hag doesn’t need to be reminded how important those two games are if United are to be in the Champions League this season ahead with the status of Europa League champions. If it fails, it means that United must ensure that they are in the top four of the Premier League final standings. United and Ten Hag still have a few days to forget the embarrassing appearance at Liverpool’s cage, so they can move on and win again in the following matches in the remaining events.
ASL
