- Liverpool and Manchester United played out an exciting 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
- Liverpool lost the opportunity to move above Arsenal to the lead of the Premier League standings.
Liverpool and Manchester United played out an exciting 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, but Liverpool lost the opportunity to move above Arsenal to the lead of the Premier League standings.
Luis Diaz gave the visitors a well-earned lead with his first-half goal but Bruno Fernandes gave the Red Devils a five-minute head start five minutes later with an incredible shot from over 50 yards out.
How the game unfolded
Luiz Diaz opened the scoring in the first half for Liverpool. Photo/ Sky Sports
Alejandro Garnacho believed he had given Man United the lead in the second minute after breaking through on goal, round Caoimhin Kelleher, and putting the ball into the corner of the net, but the Argentine was flagged offside. Man United enjoyed a strong start to the game.
Then, Liverpool cut through United’s midfield, and Dominik Szoboszlai had a free run at goal down the left channel, but Andre Onana’s strong left hand stopped his powerful effort.
Shortly after, Szoboszlai was given another good opportunity, but this time, instead of heading Robertson’s tempting first-time cross from the left, the Hungarian couldn’t manage to slide his side-footed attempt inside the six-yard box and aim it at goal.
The first goal was scored by Diaz at the back post from a corner in the 23rd minute as Liverpool gained control of the game and were rewarded for their superior possession.
Darwin Nunez glanced Robertson’s curling corner in Diaz’s direction, allowing him to score his first goal between Onana and Diogo Dalot, who was standing on the line.
To the relief of Man United, who found it difficult to mount a serious threat on the other end, Klopp’s team was clearly superior but wasteful in the latter third of the game.
For the first time in a Premier League home match since their goalless draw with Manchester City in October 2015, Man United did not record a single shot on goal in the first forty-five minutes, while Liverpool had fifteen attempts on goal in the first half, although only four of those shots found the back of the net.
Bruno Fernandes strike levelled the score against Liverpool. Photo/ Sky Sports
The Old Trafford supporters were glad they had to wait just five minutes into the second half, as the Red Devils unexpectedly tied the score with their first effort on goal.
The ball was given to Liverpool defender Quansah on the halfway line, where he was not really under pressure. However, as he entered his own half, he misplaced a pass, putting Fernandes in position for an easy first-time goal that saw him lob Kelleher from just inside Liverpool’s half.
With United’s tails up and posing a far greater threat in the final third, the tables soon turned in their favour. Shortly after Rashford’s inswinging cross failed to find Casemiro on the stretch, Garnacho’s deflected strike flew over the crossbar and Kelleher pushed the ball away from danger.
That turned out to be Rashford’s last contribution when he was substituted for Antony in the 67th minute after seeming to have injured his muscle. Conversely, Liverpool substituted Curtis Jones and Gomez for Szoboszlai and Conor Bradley in a double change.
Because emerging star Mainoo pulled a gem out of the top draw, Man United took the lead in spectacular way before either Jones or Gomez had a chance to settle into the match.
Following his one touch after receiving the ball on the left side of the penalty area, the 18-year-old beat Kelleher to finish with a spectacular right-footed effort that sent the Old Trafford fans into a frenzy.
After missing clear chances to equalize the score for Liverpool via Diaz and Salah, Wan-Bissaka gave the Reds an easy penalty in the 84th minute when he lunged at Elliott, forcing Anthony Taylor to nod to the spot.
Liverpool’s focus will now shift to the Europa League quarterfinals, where they will host Atalanta BC for a first-leg match on Thursday at Anfield. Man United will play their next Premier League game on Saturday when they travel to Bournemouth.
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