A lot of pundits will agree that the English Premier League title race for this season is over. Liverpool in first place are 16 points clear of their closest rivals, Manchester City who are even struggling to get a draw with Crystal Palace and the Reds still have a game in hand.
The victory over Manchester United last night was a huge step in the right direction and one that not just further stamps their grasp of the title, but one that gives them bragging rights over their long time foes.
Liverpool started well and deservedly got a goal and two further ones correctly disallowed.
United at first struggled to get their acts together but as the game wore on, the began to get in their strides. The sad thing however is that despite their resilience for a greater part of the game, they still found a way to blow it up in their own face, especially the final few minutes when they conceded the second goal. While the goal was well taken, one decision taken too many times by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is the choice of selecting a particular player, Juan Mata.
Like I said in my last post, some players, despite their talent and production, some coaches just have a way of looking away from them, even when they need those players badly. Same was the case with Unai Emery at Arsenal.
For whatever reason best know to the Spaniard, he refused to play Mesut Ozil. Let's assume like he claimed that Ozil need to put in note work, what about the indefatigable and tireless Lucas Torriera. We have seen what both of this player can do as they have done under Mikel Arteta.
Some coaches due to ego, resentment for a player, lack of foresight or even refusal to listen to counsel would keep ruining teams.
MY OPINION
I see no reason why Solksjaer shouldn't have started Mata in the game against Liverpool. Taken that the didn't start the former Chelsea star, it could still have been remedied if he had decided to make changes earlier to inject some spice.
In the whole of the game, despite United keeping their ground, the Reds lacked a creative player and playmaker in the middle of the park. Ole had no business keeping Mata on the bench for over 70 minutes when he needed a goal and was lacking creativity. We all saw the spice that former Valencia man brought into the mix after his introduction and he gave them a different edge.
Sometimes when managers get sacked, they're the architects of their own misfortunes and not always about not having quality players or a revolt from the players. The earlier he changes his decision making, the less likely he'd be to get axed. His job isn't safe.