Just what is this guy playing at?!

Today’s mammoth clash between Liverpool and Manchester United doesn’t decide who wins the Premier League this season, but it did speak volumes about the make-up of both sides.

In years gone by, United have had big characters who rolled their sleeves up in times of need; Hughes, Bruce, Pallister, Ince, Keane, Stam – even Beckham. But for all the qualities that this current-day squad possess, a combative, body-on-the-line spirit isn’t one of them.

Too many times in recent memory have this United side surrendered a crucial match with a whimper, with the Champions League Final in Rome being the most inglorious example. Today, Liverpool didn’t have to be particularly impressive in order to celebrate their third successive win over United but they applied the fundamentals, scrapped for every ball, and fought as though their lives depended on it. In circumstances like that, you expect the opposition to match that endeavour but it never happened and the champions meekly raised the white flag and conceded three points to their most bitter rivals.

The one-paced United midfield were never gifted a second with Lucas and Mascherano in their faces and first to every loose ball, supported by the trio of willing hustlers in Kuyt, Benayoun and Aurelio. Scholes and Carrick surely isn’t the answer for Ferguson’s side in big games; technically astute they may be but as a pairing they lack pace, mobility and physical presence. What the great Scot would have given for Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves. Sir Alex has a vast array of options in that middle third but, when it comes to the grand occasion, is it a case of numerous tradesmen and masters of none?

That’s for Fergie to seriously ponder. But nevertheless, take nothing away from Liverpool; when the chips are down, they seem to be in total contrast to United. Four straight defeats and yet you could sense even before kick-off that they were going to give this everything they had and more often than not, that’s enough.

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed a thoroughly professional performance as Antonio Valencia’s second goal in as many matches, four minutes from time, saw off Juande Ramos’s side and ensured United matched the record set by the Dutch club between 1994 and 1997.

United and Ajax both lost Champions League finals in Italy during these 14-game runs, but let’s not be pedantic…

Like Chelsea, 4-0 winners over Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge, a point from their next fixture — against CSKA at Old Trafford on November 3 — should be enough to secure qualification with two games to spare.

With Liverpool to play at Anfield on Sunday, it was the perfect run-out and result for United, who also avoided any further injuries on the artificial pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium.

But now, they’re facing an altogether different number five. An unprecedented fifth successive defeat, against their arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday, would leave a season that was so hyped, so bullish, so promising…. in tatters. In October. Five has become a hugely frightening number indeed.

And it might not stop there. This morning Rafa Benitez’s side lick their wounds that could easily be reopened time and time again in the next fortnight as, after the champions come to town, there are two more crunch clashes with Arsenal and Lyon again.

Liverpool’s 2-1 home defeat to the French league leaders has left them with a uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League second round; failure to do so would be a catastrophic malfunction, both on the pitch and in the boardroom.

What has happened to the swash-buckling, steam-rollering, free-scoring, never-say-die Liverpool from last spring? Jamie Carragher cut the most forlorn figure you are ever likely to see as the final whistle went last night; close to tears in his post-match interview. This is Jamie Carragher – the embodiment of all that it stands for to be a Liverpool player – and there he was looking like a totally broken man.

These are worrying times for Rafael Benitez. Manchester United will head to Merseyside on Sunday smelling blood, envisioning a huge Street Fighteresque ‘Finish Him’ mirage above the Anfield pitch – and if they head back down the East Lancs with a ten-point lead over Liverpool, Benitez – and his team’s 2009/10 season – may well indeed be finished.

Steve Bruce sent his team out with a two-pronged attack, two natural wide-men, and two combative central-midfielders who covered nearly every blade of grass on the Old Trafford pitch. And if the Stretford End hadn’t have sucked Patrice Evra’s low drive, via the leg of Anton Ferdinand, into the back of the Black Cats’ net in the 92nd minute, the United faithful would have trudged home contemplating a deserved home defeat.

United may be looking down on everyone else from the Premier League summit, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side haven’t convinced many. Ben Foster is the same age as Pepe Reina but is infantile in comparison, lacking presence and decision-making ability which cost his side dearly yesterday. Nani has talent in abundance and contrary to the incredibly sightless verdict of ESPN’s Chris Waddle, the Portuguese winger has had a promising start to the season. But he is a player who relies heavily on confidence and unlike his £80m predecessor, Nani lacks the courage and belief to keep going at his man if he’s getting no early joy.

But the most glaring indictment of United’s mixed early-season displays is their lack of movement and fluidity in the final third. In recent years, we’ve seen Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Giggs, Berbatov, Nani et al popping up all over the place, finding pockets of space in and around the opposition’s rigid set-up – but the champions have reverted back to a fairly obdurate 4-4-2 with players like Valencia and Nani only operating in straight lines down the flanks, rarely coming inside and thus, becoming fairly predictable.

Does Sir Alex have faith in 4-4-2? Considering he’s played a five-man midfield in two of his toughest games of the season – Arsenal at home and Besiktas away in intimidating Istanbul – I suggest not.

I watched the match. I must say, I’ve never seen Liverpool play so badly. It really was men against boys. Fiorentina were first to every ball. I can’t even recall a good attacking move by Liverpool in the first half. Both goals should have been stopped however. The first was ridiculous – every Liverpool defender tried to play the offside – they all just looked around when Stevan Jovetic was through on goal – expecting the flag and the whistle. It didn’t come and Jovetic calmly slotted past Reina.

We are all use to seeing Liverpool tighten up when they need to. However, Tuesday night was different. When they are a goal down, playing badly, Fiorentina are on fire – DON’T GIVE THE BALL AWAY – keep it at 1-0 at the break. Instead Liverpool gave the ball away way to easily and Jovetic poked in his second from a cross/shot. Bam, I felt right there, there go Liverpool’s chances in this game!

But..in the end. We need to take this game into context. Its an early group stage game in the Champions league. It doesn’t matter that they lost – I have no doubt they will still qualify – they still have Fiorentina at home, Debrecon (whom Lyon smashed 4-0 the other day). This game will act as a warning bolt of lightning in the Liverpool camp.

Gerrard said: “We will be fine if we win our home games.”

I’ll put my life out on the line here and say that I expect them to take the game to Chelsea, I expect a goal feast and I expect another phenominal performence from El Nino!

Chelsea also played rubbish this week, however their opponents were too weak to get anything from the game and Chelsea ran out 1-0 winners, courtesy of an 18th minute Anelka strike. I feel this puts so much pressure on both Chelsea and Liverpool on the weekend, to perform and get a result. I’m already starting to get excited!

Manchester United, it could be argued were the only English side who showed some spirit over the past couple of nights. United needed goals from Ryan Giggs (he’s getting mentioned a lot recently!) and Michael Carrick to come from behind to beat Wolfsburg – the German champions.  United had two balls in the back of the net – both disallowed (Rooney and Giggs) but that didn’t deter them! One thing to take from this game – Vidic is immune to getting sent off, unitl the weekend at least!