Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United: Firmino and Sturridge put Reds in box seat - 5 things we learned

The Brazilian added to the England striker's early penalty to put the Reds in pole position to progress to the Europa League quarter finals

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Liverpool delivered an emphatic statement of intent against their biggest rivals to put one foot in the Europa League quarter finals.
Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino send Jurgen Klopp's Reds to Old Trafford next week with a two-goal advantage which could prove decisive.
England striker Sturridge opened the scoring from the spot after Memphis Depay was deemed to have hauled down Nathaniel Clyne in the box.
Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana both went close to adding a second before Roberto Firmino succeeded in beating the superb David De Gea after the break to give the home side the advantage their dominance deserved.
Here are 5 things we learned at Anfield:

1. Jurgen Klopp could barely have got it more right

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Louis van Gaal prides himself on his tactical acumen - but Jurgen Klopp got the better of him tonight, of that there's no question.
Klopp's high press has become his calling card, both in Germany and now in the Premier League, and tonight his team showed why.
Such was the ferocity and intensity of the Reds' wave upon wave of attacking pressure that United's widemen, Memphis Depay and Marcus Rashford (who was hooked at the break), spent more time going towards their own goal than Liverpool's all night long.
With United both literally and figuratively going backwards both had to be used as auxillary full-backs to assist in defence leaving Anthony Martial, the visitors' lone striker, isolated throughout.
Klopp could barely have drawn it up better - and Firmino's second goal gave them the advantage their comprehensive dominance warranted on the night.

2. Van Gaal set his stall out - and trusts Fellaini

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In electing to go with brawn over brains in central midfield Van Gaal set his stall out even before kickoff at Anfield.
The Dutchman has a wealth of experience - par for the course after a 30-plus year coaching career - and he knows that two-legged European ties are rarely won during the opening 90 minutes (unless you’re Barcelona or Real Madrid).
Tonight he went with his dogs of war in midfield, looking to offer the kind of platform to try and keep Liverpool at arm’s length, turning it into a scrap.
With a top four finish still more of a long shot than a sure thing for both tonight's clash represented the biggest game of the season to date.
So what did Van Gaal do in such a big spot? Turned to his biggest player, literally. Fellaini returned from injury and went straight back into the team.
He has his detractors - many of whom voiced their concerns throughout an ineffectual performance at Anfield - but certainly counts Van Gaal in his corner regardless.

3. Varela looks here to stay

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While much has been made of Rashford’s rise to prominence and his breakthrough in the first team, Guillermo Varela has also been extremely impressive since being thrust into the right-back spot by Van Gaal.
It’s taken the ex-Real Madrid Castilla man 18 months to really make an impression in the seniors, but he’s not wasted his chance.
Tonight, he was selected ahead of Italian international Matteo Darmian for the white-hot Anfield atmosphere, something of a surprise given the ex-Torino man’s greater experience.
Varela stuck gamely to his task, notably his running battle with Coutinho, who increasingly looked to play up against the Uruguayan. At times he struggled to cope with the Brazilian and the overlapping Alberto Moreno, but it was another showing to suggest he can have a long-term future at Old Trafford

4. Liverpool’s front three can take them where they want to go

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While Klopp has talked up the ‘monstrous’ clash that this match was portrayed as in the build-up, the face of the matter is the German didn’t arrive at Anfield believing that Europa League last-16 clashes were the end game.
Instead, Kloppo was hired to take the side back where the club and the fans believe they should be: challenging for major honours at the very top. And largely, despite some inconsistencies as he gets used to things and the Reds get used to his methods, forward progress has been shown.
Already the focus on the summer is who will be brought in and who will be shipped out - here’s looking at you Christian Benteke. But recent weeks and tonight have brought into focus that the Reds' attacking triumvirate of Sturridge, Firmino and Coutinho can take them where they want to go.

John Peters

Build around them certainly, but with Klopp’s intense, high-pressing style, if that trio can be kept fit, then they have the quality to make all the difference in the biggest of games. Here, Sturridge terrorised with his pace and movement - he should have had more than just one goal before half time - Coutinho dropped into holes and picked key passes, Firmino - with nine goal in 13 games - continues to grow as a part of the team with his ability to carry the ball from midfield into attack.
Klopp has played a key role in the growth of players like Mario Gotze, Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowsk during his days at Dortmund; faith in his current front three could pay similar dividends.

5. De Gea remains United's #1

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Anthony Martial has sparkled. Marcus Rashford has flashed. But there remains only one main man at Old Trafford. And he's between the sticks.
De Gea was again at his sensational best at Anfield - and he had to be. He brilliantly denied both Coutinho and Lallana in the first half and produced a string of fine saves throughout to keep Liverpool at bay.
It's not at all a stretch to say he kept them in the tie single-handed.
And if United come out as sluggish again next week he'll need to be in similar form if his team are to somehow turn it around.