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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Paul Scholes blames Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson for "unusual" Man Utd goal

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has questioned Alisson for his part in the Red Devils' clincher against Liverpool on Monday night.

Jadon Sancho put United in front at Old Trafford, with Marcus Rashford doubling their lead shortly after half-time. Mohamed Salah's late goal halved the deficit, but Erik ten Hag's team held on to claim all three points and climb above their opponents in the Premier League table.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk came in for some criticism for failing to deny Sancho as the England winger opened the scoring. However, Scholes - who made more than 700 career appearances for United - took aim at goalkeeper Alisson rather than the centre-back after the game.

"For the second goal Alisson showed too much space at his near post," Scholes told premierleague.com. "It was an unusual goal, the keeper's in a bad position.”

The 47-year-old also praised Sancho for his "great skill" for his goal. The former Borussia Dortmund man pulled off an impressive turn to leave James Milner on the ground before picking his spot with Van Dijk looming.

United's victory was their first in the league under Erik ten Hag, and lifted them out of the bottom three. Liverpool, meanwhile, are still winless and sit five points adrift of reigning champions Manchester City.

Was Alisson to blame at Old Trafford? Have your say in the comments section

Alisson was beaten by Marcus Rashford for Man Utd's second goal (AFP via Getty Images)

After back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Brentford, United needed a response against last season's runners-up. Ten Hag responded by making some bold calls, dropping Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire to the bench, and was rewarded with a performance which left Scholes impressed.

"United showed some real grit, determination and energy, especially in the first half," the pundit said. "They looked really sharp on the counter-attack and they didn't try to play out from the back.

"They got the ball into areas where they're strong; Sancho and Rashford are quick and showed great composure for the goals, Fernandes was everywhere. Maybe this is a real template for this team going forward."

Next up for Manchester United is a trip to Southampton, followed by a midweek game away at Leicester City. They took just a point from the corresponding fixtures last season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, drawing 1-1 at St Mary's and losing 4-2 at the King Power Stadium.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will be back at Anfield for their next two fixtures. Bournemouth are the visitors on Sunday, followed by a Wednesday night meeting with a Newcastle United side who took a point from champions Manchester City over the weekend.

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