A football analyst has a bizarre explanation for Manchester United’s poor display in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
United suffered a second consecutive loss of the season in the Premier League, with Liverpool strolling to a victory courtesy of a brace from Luis Diaz and a strike from Mo Salah in the second half.
As was the case last season, Erik ten Hag’s side were carved open in midfield on so many occasions and did not appear to have much structure in their side.
Casemiro was hooked off at half-time after giving the ball away for two of the goals.
But analysts in America have blamed referee Anthony Taylor for United’s issues at Old Trafford.
Ian Joy and Michael Lahoud did a piece for CBS Sports Golazo showing how Taylor’s positioning impacted United in a negative way.
Joy posted the five-minute video on his X account, with the caption: “Why are we not talking about what the referee is doing during the Manchester United vs Liverpool game?”
He then proceeded to accuse Taylor of getting in the way of Bruno Fernandes for the opening goal.
Image: Getty
Joy fumed: “I want you to see something right here. When the ball comes into Bruno [Fernandes] – I want you to watch the referee’s position.
“Who gets in the way of this pass from Bruno Fernandes here? Look at Anthony Taylor’s position and watch his reaction right now.
“He knows he’s in the way. Why is the referee in that position? Now Bruno’s got to go backwards to Casemiro who eventually gave away possession.
“You can clearly see from Anthony Taylor’s position, why is he so close to the ball?”
Why are we not talking about what the referee is doing during the Manchester United vs Liverpool game?
— 𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐔𝐋 𝐉𝐎𝐘 (@JOYPAULIAN) September 3, 2024
I provided Some analysis with @MikeLahoud & @AdrianGarciaMqz on Scoreline for you to help me understand, feel free to share your opinion! #HAVEIT pic.twitter.com/iBCJrlStFh
That wasn’t all though, Joy spotted the same pattern with the second goal – claiming that Casemiro’s passing lane was obstructed by Taylor.
Joy added: “Casemiro picks up possession and wants to play the ball forward. Who’s in the way?
“He wants to go forward and Anthony Taylor’s in the way. He can’t even see [Joshua] Zirkzee because of Taylor’s position.
“Obviously he does have an option here and does get sloppy on the ball. He deserves that type of criticism but my no-one’s talking about the referee’s play here.”
Fans hailed the analysis, which was not quite covered on other mediums.
United return to action on 14 September, travelling to newly-promoted Southampton for an early kick-off after the international break.
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