REFEREE Anthony Taylor has been partly blamed for Manchester United’s 3-0 defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.
American analysts pointed to Taylor’s positioning and argued that the PGMOL official blocked United from playing their best football.
Casemiro, 32, was at fault for Liverpool’s two opening goals as he twice gave possession away cheaply inside United’s half that led to Luis Diaz scoring a brace inside 42 minutes.
A dismal second-half saw United carved open by Liverpool for Mo Salah’s strike, as fans booed a match that echoed last season’s struggles.
But CBS Sports Golazo has since offered a fascinating insight into how and why Liverpool’s first two goals came about.
American presenters Ian Joy and Michael Lahoud cheekily pinned some of the blame on referee Taylor’s positioning.
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The Wythenshawe-born official was seen getting in the way of United’s transitional play on both occasions.
Footage has now showed that Bruno Fernandes was potentially limited from making key passes in decisive moments due to the space occupied by Taylor.
First, the analysts argued that Taylor blocked Fernandes from unleashing a quick breakaway ball through to Alejandro Garnacho.
The Portugal star was forced to pass back to Casemiro, who offloaded a horror pass that was intercepted by Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, and put in the back of the net by Diaz.
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Then the pundits explain how the 45-year-old’s positioning stopped Casemiro from playing a forward pass to Joshua Zirkzee for the Colombian’s second.
Again, the defensive midfielder conceded possession and Liverpool doubled their lead moments later.
But the Brazilian ace lost possession 13 times before being substituted for teenager Toby Collyer at the break.
United are now talking about offloading Casemiro to Galatasaray on loan, according to journalist Ali Naci Kucuk.
The CBS analysis has gone viral, with Premier League fans split on its authenticity.
One fan wrote on X: “I didn’t realise this at all! Fantastic analysis. But it doesn’t make the loss any less embarrassing.”
One post rejecting the claim, stated: “The ref can have his share blame for this but I don’t think it’s due to him that we lost the game.”
Another added: “Let’s not blame referee there! It was individual mistakes and Erik ten Hag’s substitutions that cost us the three points.”
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A fourth said: “It’s part of football and no one forced Casemiro into making such an awful pass for the first goal.”
While a fifth chimed in: “Come on. United were bad across the board.”
Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool
MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Andre Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Toby Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
