Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool: Honours even in crazy Old Trafford clash

Mohamed Salah’s 84th-minute penalty ensured Liverpool picked up a point at Old Trafford

Heading into this fixture, Liverpool were looking to regain their place at the summit of the Premier League, while Manchester United looked to continue their fight to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

A point at Old Trafford would ensure that Liverpool finished above Manchester United in the Premier League this season.

But ask any Liverpool supporter and they would not have taken a point prior to kick-off, with three points being the main objective for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Manchester United handed a start to 2004-born Willy Kambwala to partner Harry Maguire in defence after a series of injuries affecting Erik Ten Hag’s backline.

It was a worrying start for the Reds, with Alejandro Garnacho thinking he had scored inside the first two minutes. The flag was immediately raised for what looked like the most clear offside, but replays showed it was much tighter than first anticipated – a let off for Liverpool.

Klopp’s team grew into the game in the first half and their efforts were rewarded when Darwin Nunez’s header flicked on towards Luis Diaz, whose scissor-kick found the back of the net at the Stretford End.

Liverpool had plenty of opportunities to bury the game during the opening 45 minutes, but failed to kill the Red Devils by half-time. With the Reds leading 1-0 at the break, pressure was on to not do what they did in the FA Cup quarter-final and allow Manchester United back into the game.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what they did. An unlucky error from Jarell Quansah gave room for Bruno Fernandes to shoot from distance, which he did. An unbelievable strike looped over a hopeless Caoimhin Kelleher in goal to level the game. It wasn’t a bad first effort from United.

From then, Old Trafford erupted into a chasm of chaos – how it should be when Liverpool arrive in town. Youngster Kobbie Mainoo turned the game on its head with a superb curling effort from 18 yards out.

Klopp’s side found themselves trailing and in trouble at Old Trafford, with the Reds having plenty of chances to score but failing to capitalise. If not for an 84th minute penalty after Aaron Wan-Bissaka fouled Harvey Elliott, Liverpool would have lost at Old Trafford for the second time in a matter of weeks.

Liverpool’s talisman Salah converted the penalty with ease, salvaging his side a point. It’s a crucial point that keeps the Reds above Manchester City and level on points with Arsenal, who now lead the table.

Alexis Mac Allister was outstanding yet again for Liverpool. The Argentine looks so silky on the ball and always looks to control from midfield. A true gem that the Reds have signed.

Andy Robertson was also outstanding, with the energetic left-back proving reliable defensively and still never afraid to bomb forward in true Robertson-fashion.

The match was haywire and the result could have gone either way, with Liverpool the more disappointed side that they didn’t collect all three points given their position at half-time.

Nonetheless, a point is a point, especially at Old Trafford. Liverpool will now look to focus on their own Premier League matches, with their next coming next Sunday against Crystal Palace at Anfield.

But before that, Atalanta await in the UEFA Europa League – as the Reds look to hand themselves an advantage in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Kick-off for that game is at 8pm on Thursday, 11 April at Anfield.

Manchester United team: Onana, Dalot, Kambwala, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Mainoo (Mount 84), Garnacho (Amrabat 79), Fernandes, Rashford (Antony 66), Hojlund.

Liverpool team: Kelleher, Bradley (Gomez 66), Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Endo (Elliott 69), Szoboszlai (Jones 66), Salah, Nunez (Gakpo 68), Diaz.

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Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool: Honours even in crazy Old Trafford clash

ByJim Nichol-Turner