Former Man City defender turned pundit Micah Richards has accused Manchester United winger of walking after losing the ball during Sunday’s 7-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
It was the type of performance that should bring a few of our players back to reality after winning the Carabao Cup a week ago. The celebrations have now ended and it’s time to plan a strong push for maximum results between now and the end of the season.
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah all scored two goals each and Robert Firmino added another as Liverpool put six goals past United in the second half.
Antony, who always seems to attract positive/negative comments from punditry panels whenever he plans, so he’s the type of player that enjoys getting involved in the action. It wasn’t one of his better performances, but I thought the Brazilian did alright in the first half.
Former City defender Richards hit out at Antony because he thought it was like watching 10 men on the pitch versus 11.
“There was no communication between (Diogo) Dalot and Antony, it was like playing with 10 men because Antony wasn’t doing his work down that side,” Richards said on Match of the Day 2.
“We all know how good (Andy) Robertson and Trent (Alexander-Arnold) are in full-back positions so you would think Antony would try and get closer to Robertson.”
Richards added: “He didn’t track (Robertson) to begin with – he was eight metres away – and that was just a little taster of what was to happen.
“Antony needed to come back into that position but he just doesn’t do it.
“I was confused as to whether he was just being lazy for his team or his manager was just telling him to stay up there and be a threat on the counter-attack. Either way, it just kept happening and happening.
“As soon as they lose the ball, he just walks. We are talking about one of the biggest games for Manchester United and when they win the ball back there isn’t an option for him to run in behind because he is four yards offside.”
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