Football
ESPN staff 8y

Man United's Europa League task harder without away goal - Smalling

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling admitted his side have "a difficult task on our hands" following their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Europa Cup on Thursday night.

Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino goals were enough to give Liverpool the advantage ahead of the second leg next week at Old Trafford, as the hosts dominated proceedings with 10 shots, while United only had five.

Louis van Gaal started Smalling alongside Daley Blind at centre-back and the duo had a tough time dealing with Liverpool's attacking intent in the first half, but they did better when Michael Carrick was brought on after the break for a three-man defence.

"We're disappointed," he told MUTV. "I think we could have done with getting an away goal -- we know we've got a difficult job on our hands.

"They had a lot of runners coming from midfield, and I think our wingers were having to defend a lot, so whenever we won the ball back we couldn't really sustain it [possession] and keep it. In that first half, it was very difficult, we couldn't get up the pitch.

"In the second half we were a little bit more comfortable, albeit without creating too many chances. We could have really done with getting that away goal. I think if you get that goal, you can be a bit more positive, but it's now up to us to rectify it in front of our own fans. The first goal is going to be crucial.

"We're all disappointed, but knowing we've now got two home games, it's up to us to take the game to West Ham and then Liverpool."

While Smalling and his defensive partners struggled to contain Liverpool, goalkeeper David De Gea had a good game and made two excellent saves to ensure his side have a fighting chance going into the second leg.

"I think both of their goals were pretty fortuitous, but David did make two very good saves," he added.

"I think night games have a different edge to them and I think our fans will be right behind us. It's down to us to deliver and put on a better performance than we did tonight. We're obviously disappointed tonight, but we need to recover."

There will be no time for the Red Devils to dwell on this defeat with a home game against high-flying West Ham on Sunday, before attempting to overturn the deficit when Liverpool come to Old Trafford next Thursday.

The winners of this tie will move on into the quarterfinals with the first leg taking place on April 7, and the reverse fixture a week later.

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