Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been speaking after the defeat at Old Trafford: “We weren’t able to control their strengths. We were aware of them in terms of set-pieces and counter-attacks. You have to know where to lose the ball if you play against Manchester United, they are really strong when they play into the middle. They have so many fast players. Bruno Fernandes to hurt you in transition, and that’s exactly what happened with the second goal.
"We were 2-0 down, we came back in the second-half to 2-2, but then we shut off and immediately conceded the goal. We had a lot of ball possession in the second half, but one of their strengths is also defending."
On whether there were familiar problems: “I don’t think anyone expected us to lose that game at 2-2, or maybe you do after the whole of our season. As I’ve been shown so many times this season, when we are playing well or we think we are able to win it, we switch off.
"I know what we can improve on and we are already working hard on this. The same issues keep coming back, which isn't a huge surprise as you don't have long to fix it during the season. Tactically you can change certain things, but for me it is clear where we have to improve – and we will."
On the potential handball from Benjamin Sesko: “If it was a touch, it should’ve been disallowed. I want to focus on how we conceded that second goal though, because that’s where we can do better.”
Liverpool goalscorer Dominik Szoboszlai has also been speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s not good. We go home with zero points. After the first half, we shouldn’t be happy at all. We should be who we were at the start of the second half.
"You concede from a set piece. You talk about counter-attacks and that's how the second goal happened. We have to focus more and look at the details.
"I don't focus on next season. I focus on these three games. We want Champions League next season because we belong there, but we'll see what happens in the future."
On whether he is a leader on the pitch: “You have to ask the players that. I try to do my best and hopefully set an example day-by-day. We have a lot of players who can set example and I try to be one of them, and if it works I’m happy.”
Did you know?
- Liverpool suffered their 18th defeat of the season in all competitions. They have only lost more times in a single campaign on three occasions since being promoted to the top flight in 1962; 1992-93 (20), 2004-05 (19) and 2009-10 (19).
- The Reds have conceded 17 goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season. It is the most they have ever conceded in a single campaign in the competition, overtaking 16 in 1992-93
- Cody Gakpo has scored five goals in four Premier League starts against Manchester United, his most against any opponent in the competition.
