"Alright, so we got equalized? Let's treat it as if the match just started. If we scored the first goal, we can score the second." Van Dijk said through gritted teeth.
He could not accept waiting for a year only to end with a draw, especially since Liverpool's substitutions were all geared toward attack.
"Manchester United players are nearing their limits. Let's stick to our original tactical plan and launch quick attacks from the wings," Fabinho analyzed calmly.
He had just joined Liverpool this season.
If he could help Liverpool win the North West Derby, he would surely gain Klopp's trust and secure his tactical position.
After all, Jordan Henderson, the true successor to Gerrard, was still on the bench.
Since their tactical roles were quite similar, only one of them could start until Klopp devised a more suitable strategy.
"Come on!" the Liverpool players roared, boosting morale for the team and themselves.
Being defeated twice by Manchester United last season was a disgrace for every Liverpool player.
No matter how many goals United scored, they would never give up on attacking!
Soon, the match resumed.
Liverpool wasted no time testing the waters and went straight for the big moves.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson led the attack while the forwards made runs to stretch Manchester United's defense.
In the 80th minute, Xherdan Shaqiri received a pass from Robertson and deftly nutmegged Mateo Kovacic.
Liverpool had two "Messis" in the squad: the Egyptian Messi, Mo Salah, and the Swiss Messi, Shaqiri.
Interestingly, Shaqiri was the same height as Messi.
His excellent footwork and explosive speed gave him a natural advantage against taller defenders.
Thus, Klopp's decision to bring him on was a highly targeted move.
Eric Bailly timed his tackle well as Shaqiri changed direction, but Bailly was forced to commit a foul.
It was a wise choice.
If Shaqiri had gotten past him, he would have faced the goal directly. The referee showed Bailly a yellow card.
Then, the fourth official raised the LED board.
Mourinho substituted Bailly with David Luiz, Kovacic with Scott McTominay, and Marcus Rashford with Jesse Lingard.
Using all substitution slots at once was a bold move from him.
Anfield erupted in piercing boos.
Liverpool fans believed Mourinho had brought on defensive players, clearly aiming to strengthen the defense and snatch a point.
"Cowards from Manchester, attack us head-on!"
"Damn Mourinho! Take your utilitarian playstyle and go to hell!"
A barrage of taunts filled the air.
Manchester United fans flushed with anger and shot back with middle fingers.
...
While the fans clashed, the match continued on the pitch.
Liverpool's free-kick was about 27 meters from the goal.
The 20-year-old Arnold stood behind the ball.
Although he played as a right-back, he possessed impressive free-kick skills.
His average of 4.2 accurate long passes per game led the Premier League, and players with strong long-pass abilities rarely lacked free-kick quality.
Arnold positioned the football's valve towards himself and stomped on the turf near the placement spot.
His last moment of cleverness had allowed the opponent to equalize, and now he had another chance to become the hero.
Liverpool fans fixed their eyes on Arnold, hoping the ball would fly into their rival's net.
"A bit more to the left," De Gea leaned against the post, carefully adjusting the wall. "Alright, jump when the time comes."
With the referee's whistle, Arnold took a deep breath, sprinted forward and struck the ball.
The ball spin fiercely over the wall, heading straight for the top right corner of the goal.
However, before Arnold took the shot, De Gea had shifted two steps to the side.
Spotting the trajectory, he launched himself into the air.
Just as the ball was about to nestle into the top corner where the crossbar meets the post, he stopped it.
Peter Drury: "Arnold lines it up... oh, he strikes it with venom! But look at David De Gea! He paints a masterpiece in the Merseyside sky! A save of sheer breathtaking beauty to deny Liverpool!"
Jim Beglin: "It is a wonderfully taken free-kick, Peter, but an equally brilliant save. Back in the 2011-12 season, when De Gea was just starting out, he saved a top-corner free-kick from Juan Mata. That match became a turning point in his career. He has grown into a world-class goalkeeper."
Peter Drury: "The attack may be a work of art, but the defense is De Gea. Even after all these years, that phrase still defines Manchester United. Now, let's see Liverpool's corner. It is not just Van Dijk this time. Fabinho has joined in too. Both of them are marking Jeremy Ling. They are showing him the utmost respect."
Arnold did not attempt any fancy tricks this time. He sent the ball toward the penalty spot.
However, Harry Maguire's physique was too powerful. He muscled past Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, seized the first touch, and headed the ball clear.
Amid the chaos, Shaqiri's stabbed shot veered wide of the goal.
...
Klopp made a tactical change, bringing on Daniel Sturridge to replace Firmino.
Firmino jogged off the pitch, breathing heavily. In this match, he had been tasked with both attacking and defending, and his stamina had reached its limit around the 75th minute.
If he had not been substituted, he likely would have cramped up soon.
"Use your speed to pressure United's defense and create space for your teammates to take long-range shots," Klopp whispered into Sturridge's ear.
"Don't worry, boss," Sturridge patted his chest confidently.
How terrifying a fully fit Sturridge could be was something the entire Premier League knew well.
In the season Liverpool nearly won the league, Suarez claimed the Golden Boot with 31 goals, while Sturridge finished second with 21.
Seeing this, Mourinho called McTominay to the sideline, pointed at Fabinho, and spoke with fierce intensity.
"Scott, I need you to mark him tightly. Remember, tightly, so he cannot even get the ball."
A glint of determination flashed in McTominay's eyes.
Though he was not a naturally gifted player, he had his own unique defensive approach.
It was the spirit of a mad dog.
He would cover vast distances to press the opponent. If they ran 50 meters, he would run 100.
Sooner or later, he would find an opportunity to make a tackle.
"Ten minutes left in regular time. Focus on protecting the defensive third, and do not hesitate to foul when necessary." Ling knew Liverpool was ready to go all out.
He pointed to his head and addressed his teammates.
Both sides were nearing their physical limits.
t this stage, it was not about tactics anymore; it was about whose willpower was stronger.
Any mistake could lead to irreversible consequences.
Ling wanted no regrets after the match, so he reminded his teammates to stay sharp and focused.