Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea made a string of outstanding saves in the first half to keep the scoreline at 2-0, with Liverpool battering the visitors for nearly the entire 90 minutes of their first-leg Europa League Round of 16 clash.
Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool a deserved 2-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield on Thursday. However, it was the contribution of David de Gea that kept the Red Devils from suffering a humiliating defeat.
The Spaniard’s save off the goal-line from Philippe Coutinho’s effort in the first half, in particular, caused a meltdown on social media, with viewers in disbelief over what they had just witnessed.
Meanwhile, Liverpool supporters celebrated their first win over Louis van Gaal since the Dutchman took charge of Manchester United. Previously, the Reds had lost each of their last four matches, with all of those defeats coming in the English Premier League.
Here are the best reactions from the first ever Europa League meeting between England’s two biggest clubs:
De Gea must be wondering what the hell he’s doing at United these days. The only player who applied himself at Anfield, can you imagine…
— The Peoples Person (@PeoplesPerson_) March 10, 2016
The cat is flying ?? @D_DeGea
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 10, 2016
De Gea being ridiculously good again
— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) March 10, 2016
I think De Gea is taking Meldonium test him now
— öh yoü beaüty (@natefc) March 10, 2016
David De Gea ?? keeping the lads in it!
— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) March 10, 2016
xG map for Liverpool-Manchester United. It’s only because of De Gea that this tie isn’t completely over. pic.twitter.com/O7WUAmt4Q2
— Michael Caley (@MC_of_A) March 10, 2016
If David De Gea was a cat… pic.twitter.com/PyiAkGGQwA
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) March 10, 2016
BREAKING: Live pictures of David De Gea. pic.twitter.com/Fs0jyfybCx
— BBC Sporf (@BBCSporf) March 10, 2016
Jurgen Klopp came in & said he needed to turn doubters into believers. He’s made both fans & players believe again. He’s the one for #LFC
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) March 10, 2016
I love how Van Gaal was going on about Liverpool’s success being in the past. Yeah, because Utd are 20 points clear at the top this season?
— Timothy Poole (@TimPooleSport) March 10, 2016
If I hadn’t have masterminded draws against FC Sion and Bordeaux Liverpool wouldn’t be celebrating great nights like this #ThanksBrendan
— Deluded Brendan (@DeludedBrendan) March 10, 2016
LALLANA YOU GODpic.twitter.com/4ulmoMccOJ
— The Anfield Chat (@TheAnfieldChat) March 10, 2016