Their attempt to seize the initiative early had failed to produce the result they wanted. Instead, Liverpool had seized their chance and landed a hook.
The Special One clearly refused to accept it!
And he refused to give in!
On the touchline, Mourinho swung both arms like windmills, roaring as he drove all his players forward.
Conceding had seemingly enraged Manchester United completely.
Their attacks came in wave after wave.
Sanchez, Rashford, and Ashley Young all pushed up.
They charged recklessly into Liverpool's half.
Cristiano Ronaldo had become Manchester United's only hope.
He kept dropping deep, kept collecting the ball, kept attacking Liverpool's defensive line.
Every time he touched the ball, cheers erupted from the stands.
Manchester United's fans could see hope.
They waved their scarves and sang "Glory Glory Man United."
All of Old Trafford was like a pot of boiling water.
But today, Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to have met his nemesis.
Van Dijk!
The ironclad Dutch defender marked Cristiano Ronaldo like a shadow he could never shake.
Cristiano Ronaldo received the ball with his back to goal, but before he could turn, Van Dijk was already pressing into him.
Cristiano Ronaldo feinted left and right, but Van Dijk never budged.
As the match wore on, Cristiano Ronaldo's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.
The Portuguese king of football was used to imposing his will on the pitch.
Today, though, he seemed trapped in an invisible net, unable to break free no matter how hard he struggled.
Van Dijk's long legs, iron frame, and eyes that seemed to see through everything made every turn an immense struggle.
Cristiano Ronaldo grew frustrated.
Twice in succession, he went down under a challenge and spread his hands toward referee Pawson, appealing for a foul.
But Pawson ignored him both times.
He had already