(Football news) It’s difficult to believe that Manchester United’s season could get any worse as the weekend approached but as it turns out, it could and it did. The Red Devils were thrashed 4-0 at the Amex Stadium by Brighton in an utterly toothless performance, which means that they will finish the Premier League season with the worst points tally in their history. A strike by Moises Caicedo in the 15th minute gave the hosts the advantage and Marc Cucurella doubled the lead in the 49th minute followed by goals from Pascal Gross (57) and Leandro Trossard (60). Brighton had not won a home game since Boxing Day but a visit by Manchester United was a perfect opportunity to seal the three points at the Amex Stadium.

The result means that Manchester United cannot qualify for the Champions League next season and have lost five consecutive away games in the Premier League, their longest run since 1981. Speaking after the match, Manchester United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick said “Yes it was (the worst performance), from the first to the last minute. Not enough in all important areas. We were second best. We can only apologise to the supporters. It was a terrible performance and a humiliating defeat. We gave them too much time, too much space. 

“We couldn't get into a position to stop them playing through our lines. The game plan was completely different. We told the players to be as compact as possible and then to release pressure on them. We couldn't stop them. I don't think the players ignored the game plan but they weren't able to stop them. We gave them too much space and time. When you give technically good players this space, this is what can happen. In the second half we took the risk to bring on Cavani to play as a second striker, but in hindsight it was too much of a risk to play in a 4-4-2 against them but we had to change the energy. Today we were second best."

At Anfield, Liverpool drew 1-1 against Tottenham Hotspur to give rivals Manchester City an invaluable advantage in the Premier League title race. An early goal in the second half by Heung-Min Son meant that the Reds desperately needed a breakthrough to ensure they don’t lose their first Premier League match of the season and Luis Diaz came to the rescue in the 74th minute to salvage a point. The result means that Liverpool are now three points behind reigning champions Manchester City while Tottenham are 5th, four points behind arch rivals Arsenal. 

Antonio Conte’s game plan was to threaten Liverpool on the counter-attack while Liverpool dominated possession. Mohamed Salah had a shot deflected wide while Harry Kane’s attempt was blocked by Jordan Henderson. Virgil Van Dijk had two brilliant opportunities to take the lead, with his first effort going wide while the second struck the crossbar. In the 56th minute, Harry Kane fed Ryan Sessegnon who coolly passed to an unmarked Son and the South Korean found the back of the net. The goal forced Klopp to bring on Diogo Jota but Spurs defended deep, making it difficult for Liverpool to find the breakthrough. However, the hosts’ relentlessness finally paid dividends through a deflected shot by Luis Diaz off Rodrigo Bentancur. 

Speaking after the match, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said “It was always clear, Tottenham would show like they show, with individual quality and a game plan, it was clear it would be incredibly difficult. It doesn't get easier when you concede a goal. But I was really happy with a lot of things I saw in the game. We said at half-time we could have shown more initiative. I thought we did that in the second half and then we conceded a goal. Anything can happen after that. Nothing happened. The stadium was there, the boys kept calm, increasing the pressure without opening up too much. We scored a goal. We could have won, but we could have lost as well, with their insane counter-attack." 

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said “It is not easy to play in this moment against an amazing team, especially at Anfield with lots of noise. It is not simple. For sure, to have a good result was positive. On the other hand, I think maybe we have to be a bit disappointed. I have seen, in the eyes of my players, disappointment because we had the chance to win the game. But I repeat, a good performance. I asked my players to be good defensively and I don't think we conceded any chances. We conceded a goal to a deflection. With the ball, I asked my players to show courage, because Liverpool press you in a good way. If you can play through that you can find space and have chances to score. But I think the draw is fair." 

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