Liverpool’s Emirates FA Cup journey for this season ended with a 4-3 defeat away at Manchester United on Sunday.
The scoring in the quarter-final tie at Old Trafford began with just 10 minutes on the clock as Scott McTominay capitalised on a rebound to give the home team the lead.
However, despite Wataru Endo having a goal disallowed for Liverpool, they managed to turn the tide just before halftime, with Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah providing the goals to take control of the game.
Although Liverpool appeared more likely to score again in the second half, it was United who found the back of the net, with substitute Antony scoring three minutes from the end to force an additional half-hour of play.
In extra time, Harvey Elliott benefited from a deflection to put Liverpool back in front in the 105th minute.
However, Marcus Rashford equalised for United after the extra-time interval, and Amad scored the winning goal for United just seconds beyond the 120th minute.
For an insightful breakdown of the match, Damon Carr (@da9mo) is here to provide analysis.
What do you make of Liverpool’s defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United?
Damon: What do I make of losing to these in the dying moments of extra time having been in the lead and in control twice? Frustrated would be an understatement kindly putting it.
Losing to this lot is bad enough but the manner in which we did was unacceptable. I’ve got to be honest.
This team has given me hope again, but today the mentality was worrying. It felt like they thought the game was won and instead of putting themselves out of sight, they casually ruined glorious chances to do so.
Three times we had outnumbering breaks and not once did we have a decent chance at the end of it.
That’s criminal. We were lucky to go to extra time with Rashford’s miss at the end but you can’t rely on that. Get the job done yourself. This one hurt.
Fatigue seems to be finally catching up with Liverpool concerning the number of games they’ve played this season.
Damon: I don’t want to hear fatigue as an excuse as on Thursday we had the perfect opportunity to rest players against Prague and Klopp chose not to.
Fans talk about this incredible depth we have and then complain about fatigue. That’s like complaining about being wet after deciding to go outside in the rain if you didn’t need to. Fatigue is going to creep in but it will do for most teams and most teams don’t have the options we have. We know the schedule so no excuses.
Disappointed with the performance of our forwards especially Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz’s indecision in the final third?
Damon: Players have to play themselves into teams and selection orders. That’s sport. Gakpo has played himself behind Danns for me now.
I see potential in Cody but at some point, he’s gotta start turning up. It’s not like the team is playing badly so it affects everyone.
He couldn’t have a better chance to be better than with the team he has around him. Makes the simple things hard. Hoping this break gives him time to turn it around. I’ve said for a long time Diaz’s ability is unreal but when he gets to the final third he becomes predictable.
Only last week against Man City we saw what he can do in abundance. More of that is needed. That tenacity and fearless attitude is what Diaz is about.
His finishing needs to improve massively, which I worry it may not, but if he plays like he does against City more often and the others can finish the chances, I’m happy.
What’s the way forward for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool after the international break which seems to have come at the right time?
Damon: It’s getting back to being relentless. Don’t care who we are against, we show them what we are about.
No good relying on late goals and other teams missing chances against us. Let’s get the job done ourselves. There are gonna be some games we need luck certainly, but we need to start controlling that luck a bit more.
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
- Arrest Confirmed By Police Amid Allegations Of ‘Tragedy Chanting’ During Manchester United Vs Liverpool FA Cup Tie
- Jurgen Klopp Reveals Liverpool Suffered Three New Injury Problems After Man Utd Defeat
- Ryan Gravenberch Included In Liverpool Squad To Face Manchester United
- Manchester United Could Be Without Casemiro For FA Cup Tie Against Liverpool