Is this guy serious?
Louis van Gaal claimed after Liverpool’s loss to Southampton that he and his Manchester United team played a part in the Saints’ 3-2 win…
United won the Manchester derby on Sunday, but the Dutchman still couldn’t help talking about Liverpool – who’d dumped his side out of the Europa League on Thursday after totally outplaying them over two legs.
“We have seen the result from Southampton today. Liverpool were 2-0 up at half-time and at full-time it was 3-2 to Southampton,” van Gaal began, reported in the Echo.
“I have not seen the match but I can only conclude it was because of tiredness and that is what we have done to them.”
What’s he on about? Our defeat had lots to do with Southampton and lots to do with the half-time introduction of Martin Skrtel – and virtually nothing to do with Thursday’s game.
In fact, the Old Trafford tie was relatively easy. Following Coutinho’s equaliser, we strolled to an aggregate win – knowing the opponents needed three second-half goals.
Jurgen Klopp on the other hand didn’t use Thursday or United as an excuse.
“It’s easy to count the games we had and the games Southampton had,” said the German. “Of course there’s a difference.
“Usually after a European game, in the first half you have more problems. But in the first half we had no problems.
“Today we made football mistakes and we can learn from them. And we will.
“But for today it’s too late because we lost.”
We really hope LVG keeps his job, as United will not become a genuine force again while he’s still in charge. They lack an identity despite outspending every other Premier League club and have sold an entire team worth of players who’d be better than what they currently have at their disposal.
They’re six points ahead of us, but we’ve a game in hand – and would back Klopp’s men to put a lot of pressure on them in our final nine games of the season.