As FA Cup ties go the battle between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield for a place in the fifth round was atypical, with both sides playing with a customary combination befitting these football occasions – caution and counter attack. Indeed, the prize at stake was more than safe passage to the next round, given the history between these two north west clubs. All added to by the intertwining history of the two Scottish managers, Kenny Dalglish and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Too often the bragging rights are the most valuable asset and for the spectator worthy of the ticket money. On this occasion it was to be one of Govan’s most famous sons that would come out on the losing side with a Dirk Kuyt goal three minutes from time in front of the Kop, settling the affair 2-1.
But for all the greatness of the two clubs and the expertise of the managers one point could not be overlooked throughout the game, as it kept glaring out throughout the 93 minutes, and that was that managers can make mistakes with their signings. Not least being the United goalkeeper, David de Gea, who at no stage looked the part. Which was amusing, given his opponent was Liverpool’s record signing, Andy Carroll, who played on the day as if he was carrying most of the £35million transfer fee in his pockets fro a year ago. In a game that was times typically quick and hectic, both players looked out of their depth, unable to impose themselves on the FA Cup fixture.
It was in May 2011 when Sir Alex moved to replace the outgoing Edwin van der Sar, breaking the British transfer record for a goalkeeper agreeing to buy David de Gea from Atlético Madrid - for a fee believed to be £17m. In doing so it made the 20-year-old De Gea, even though he was uncapped for his country, the second most expensive goalkeeper in football history - behind Gianluigi Buffon, who swapped Parma for Juventus in a deal worth around £32m in 2001.
"We've been working on it for quite a while," said Ferguson of the signing. "We identified him quite a while back as one we should go for. He's young, very quick, good composure, presence and an outstanding replacement for Van der Sar
"We were looking for the same type of qualities as Edwin, because the one great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability. David de Gea is very similar that way."
Although the club are still backing the goalkeeper publicly as their number one choice, the same interview might read differently after the match at Anfield on Saturday, as Liverpool seem to target the Spaniard during set pieces. Especially corners, from which the first Liverpool goal came in the first half, after Daniel Agger climbed above the melee in front of de Gea to head the first goal home. The news did n’t any get better and rarely did de Gea look close to seventeen million pounds worth of talent. In fact, he looked at times to be about three feet shorter than his predecessor, Van der Sar - which was worrying.
For Carroll the pressure was always bound to take its toll having been the clubs major transfer last year, after Liverpool off loaded Fernando Torres to Chelsea at a couple of minutes to midnight. Almost simultaneously the former Newcastle striker boarded a jet for Liverpool to complete his medical that would allow his move to Anfield. Untested and untried at the role he was expected to deliver for the Reds, he suffered injury early on and has not really had a run to sufficiently prove his value. Or otherwise.
However based on the lengthy stride, the space need to get his runs started and the close quarters skill on view in the FA Cup match with United, and listening to Dalglish’s post match interview, Carroll is still viewed as work in progress. Although you could not fault the player for effort by any means as he covered every inch of last third of the pitch. But that may not be enough, particularly playing as a solitary front man with no one to feed off, as Carroll’s size, and slow take off speed, or loose touch, don't allow many other options other than route 1.
With little accuracy in service and too mach distance with his midfield the former Magpies striker looked a forlorn figure at times, albeit desperate to get on a score sheet and garner favour with The Kop. On one occasion late in the second half when Liverpool changed their formation he headed against the crossbar from a typical Gerrard pass – offering a promise of more. But it never happened, and his energy was only rekindled when Craig Bellamy was released from the Liverpool bench a quarter of an hour before the end. With a supportive and generous Bellamy it could have been fruitful; but as the clock ran down it was Kuyt who fired home the winning goal.
In a heavy week for Liverpool, following their Carling Cup win over Manchester City on Wednesday, both Kuyt and Bellamy were only on the bench for the fixture against United.
Whatever Dalglish and Ferguson saw in their two purchases is still open to debate, and has been questioned by many writers in both tabloid and broadsheets alike, only engendering more defensive language from the respective managers at Liverpool and United, as they try to defend both young players from the negative onslaught.
Quiet rightly probably.
But for a club that built its success over the past two decades, and the extensive trophy collection, with good goalkeepers it is strange to see a United team so vulnerable under the sticks. In fact, without the strong, towering and physical presence of a Stepney, Schmeichel or Van der Sar, it remains unconvincing.
In a similar manner, at Anfield, it is not easily understood from the outside why they opted for a player that offers some aerial dominance but is limited in other aspects of his game. Unless Dalglish can establish a partnership that eventually came naturally to John Toshack and Kevin Keegan in those golden old days.
The clubs natural system over the years seemed to demand skilful ball players as a priority, with the current manager one of the best exponents of that skill, as was Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler. For a team that not only practised the passing game in England, but almost invented it on their great European nights, a regression to the up and under seems wrong. So it is hard to see if they will ever be able to properly accommodate Andy Carroll effectively. Or amortise his capture
The likes of Bellamy, Kuyt and Suarez are grist to the mill at Anfield and follow in the footsteps of those great wide players such as Ian Callaghan, Steve Heighway, Peter Beardsley, John Barnes – to mention only a few. Clearly, as in all walks of life, football managers can make poor choices, perhaps seeing more into a player at first sight than there really is proved to be over time. Or realising that once they arrive there are intangible things that make them incompatible to the English game. But few admit to mistakes. Especially in post match interviews.
For Ferguson the stand out candidate in that regard was Juan Sebastian Veron, who in continental football and at World Cups looked poised, composed and in control, which he demonstrated on most occasions on the biggest stages. Possessing the deadliest of pin point passes he could undoubtedly hit a gnat on a corner flag from a 1,000 paces.
Sadly, in the kick and rush that can be many Premier League games, there is less time. man to man marking, more physicality, making the passing options most times more limited in game. Reducing the talented Argentine international to a lot of criticism. During his time at Old Trafford, until he left in 2003 to join Chelsea. Although a record signing in 2001 of £15million, he left for about half that fee to Stamford Bridge.
There is a touch of deja-vu in watching de Gea in goal on Saturday against Liverpool.