Rangnick reflects on ‘humiliating’ defeat that proves Liverpool are ‘six years ahead’ of Man Utd
Ralf Rangnick found the defeat for Manchester United to Liverpool “humiliating” and believes they must follow their rivals’ lead to close a six-year gap.
Manchester United were well beaten when Liverpool put four past them without reply on Tuesday night. Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah scored in the first half, before Sadio Mane and Salah got the goals after the break.
Chances were few and far between for Manchester United, who didn’t record a single shot in the first half. Even though there were some signs of settling after the break, Liverpool swung the game away from them again.
It will only heighten the questions being asked around Old Trafford. Rangnick’s men are now three points off the top four, but have played more games than all the sides above them.
They could be looking over their shoulders too, at West Ham in seventh and maybe even Wolves in eighth. Rangnick has some problems to fix if United are to avoid a complete disaster.
There were many things they could have done differently on the night against Liverpool. That said, Rangnick felt they were too far off regardless.
He told Match of the Day: “I don’t think a different formation at the start would have changed anything. The first goal we conceded, it was not part of the game plan to be that high up and concede a counter-attack after five minutes. That changed the game.
“The first half, we were just not good enough. We did not win any first ball or second balls. We were second best in all relevant areas.
“Second half we changed a centre-back with Jadon Sancho. The first 25 minutes we were better and had pressure on the ball at times. Had two or three moments, but the third goal killed the game off.
“For the third goal it came from a ball we should not play. A pressing invitation – 12 yards into Anthony Elanga, who is a player for behind their back line. It is inviting them for those moments and six seconds later the ball was in our net.”
Rangnick eyes copy of Klopp impact
The interim Manchester United manager was ultimately embarrassed by the club’s performance, especially in comparison to how Liverpool have built under Jurgen Klopp.
Rangnick feels there is a long way to go until United can catch up. However, he wants their culture to change in a similar way to what Klopp has masterminded over at Anfield.
Rangnick added: “It is embarrassing, it is disappointing, maybe even humiliating.
“We have to accept they are six years ahead of us now. When Jurgen Klopp came they changed at the club and lifted not just the team but the club and city to a new level.
“That is what needs to happen with us in the next transfer windows.”
Set to become a consultant to the club, Rangnick will likely have some kind of say in that process. But someone else – likely Erik ten Hag – should take the reins in the summer in the hope of inspiring such a rebuild.
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