Casemiro still has 2 years left on his contract with Manchester United, but the match against Liverpool could be the end of his career at Old Trafford.
When the first half ended - Liverpool led 2-0 - the Brazilian player threw a ball forward to relieve pressure. The stands were filled with cries, and Alejandro Garnacho standing next to Casemiro also raised his arms in disappointment.
That was also Casemiro's last impression when Ten Hag decided to take the Brazilian midfielder off after the first half. Toby Collyer - a player in his 20s, playing for the first time. Perhaps, more than ever, Ten Hag wants to immediately use new signing Manuel Ugarte, who moved from Paris St Germain this summer.
"That's what the team needs. You know, when Man United is 2 goals behind Liverpool, I have to accept more risks, the game will be very open. I have to praise the team for continuing to fight and unite" - Ten Hag said about the decision to replace Casemiro.
The enthusiastic Uruguayan defensive midfielder was on the pitch before the start of the match but could not register. After Casemiro's terrible performance, perhaps Ugarte will play after FIFA Days in September.
Within just 45 minutes, Casemiro lost the ball 13 times and made 2 direct mistakes leading to a goal. In the 35th minute, Casemiro missed the pass and Liverpool immediately seized the opportunity to quickly change the state. From Mohamed Salah's cross on the right wing, Luis Diaz comfortably headed in, putting the away team 1-0 up.
With 3 minutes left in the first half, Casemiro was robbed by Diaz. The Colombian player initiated a counter-attack before ending it with a tricky one-touch shot, thereby raising the score to 2-0.
After the match, captain Bruno Fernandes spoke up to defend Casemiro: "What is the point of criticizing Casemiro for losing the ball or Kobbie Mainoo for losing the ball? It's part of football. Don't make it a personal matter.
Casemiro has more experience than me. He has played for the two strongest clubs in the world. I don't need to say anything to him, because Casemiro knows what football is all about."
Despite Casemiro's poor performance, it is still possible to sympathize with him in part if we look at the smooth operation of Liverpool's midfield.
Both teams started with three in midfield: Casemiro, Fernandes and Mainoo for Man United, while Liverpool had Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. While the Reds' midfield is like the wheels in a well-plastered machine, the "Red Devils" midfield is confusingly fragile.
Gravenberch played great, winning 100% of his challenges and regaining the ball 6 times. The Dutch midfielder and Mac Allister support and coordinate well together.
In the 6th minute of the match, just a pass from Virgil van Dijk almost eliminated Man United's midfield. And luckily for them, Alexander-Arnold's goal was disallowed for offside.
Meanwhile, Mainoo may have been sent off before the first half with two challenges as he tried to cover up the big gaps in the middle of the pitch.
