Liverpool vs Man Utd: This is how Nathaniel Clyne defied all expectations

Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne defied all expectations as the Reds beat Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds beat United thanks to a brace from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri and a Sadio Mane opener, but one of the main talking points was Clyne’s inclusion in the team for the first time this league season.

It’s always sweet when Liverpool beat the Red Devils, but that sweetness was enhanced by the patched up nature of the defence and the manner in which they played.

Had Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner been fit the play then Clyne wouldn’t have got a sniff of action. But they weren’t, and so the former Southampton man was thrown into the team.

There was symbolic value to the fixture and win as it was the right-back’s 100th game for Liverpool. He’s largely been ignored by manager Jurgen Klopp because of the limited nature of his game. Klopp wants attacking full-backs – which Clyne isn’t good at.

But on Sunday there was a marked effort from the ex-Crystal Palace trainee to bomb down that flank. Especially as the Reds pushed for a second goal, it was noticeable how often Clyne pushed on passed the right winger and presented himself as an overlap option.

If you look at the Englishman’s heat map, it’s remarkable how often the defender was in United’s half. His positioning wasn’t as advanced as Andy Robertson, but the Scot is a more natural attacker and probably has a better fitness base from which to go the full length of the pitch and back.

Clyne compares favourably to Ashely Young – who was once an attacking winger – and blows his Red Devils rival Matteo Darmian out of the water.

He could still improve, that’s a given. According to WhoScored, the right-back made no dribble attempts or key passes – something Robbo is good at.

But for a lad coming in from the cold and asked to do something he hasn’t been traditionally good at Clyne did very, very well.