With seven games to go in Jurgen Klopp’s era in the Premier League, Manchester United scupper Liverpool’s title hope after a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The NorthWest derby was a game of two halves, with Liverpool displaying their supreme dominance in the first with 15 shots but one goal, and the encounter came to life in the second half as two breathtaking goals from Bruno Fernandes and Mainoo set up a cracking football match.
Bruno Fernandes stupendous strike in the second half erased Liverpool’s lead, with the pendulum swinging in favour of the home side.
United showed more commitment in the second half, matching Liverpool’s energy, resulting in a high-tempo football game with the ball moving from one end to another in seconds.
It was a nail-biting game for both teams, with Manchester United needing a victory to restore confidence in the squad, which has not won a Premier League since March 9.
For Liverpool, dropping points to Ten Hag’s United would be a huge dent in their title chase.
Fans in Old Trafford were bouncing with joy as Kobbie Mainoo’s inch-perfect shot gave United the lead in the tie for the first time, leaving Jurgen Klopp’s title ambition dangling.
Mainoo is the youngest Manchester United player to score a Premier League goal against Liverpool at 18 years and 354 days old, dating back to the first encounter in April 1894.
His sublime finish was a quick response to Gary Neville, who ripped into the young star Kobbie for his first-half performance.
Neville chastised Mainoo for being out of position and failing to perform the “basics” correctly during the first period.
“Look where Mainoo is there; he’s ahead of the ball on a throw-in,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“For a central midfield player, I always think—and Bruno Fernandes, he had to run back.
“Forget about that (the man-marking system); forget about Alexis Mac Allister, don’t be ahead of the ball. You can always get up to that one. He’s moving up there now; it defies logic, and it’s the basics of the game.”
Aron Wan-Bissaka’s foul on Elliott in the penalty box gave Liverpool, who had lost their first-half spark, a way back into the game.
Mohammed Salah slotted the resulting penalty kick into the back of the net to make it 13 goals in nine games against Manchester United and tie the game 2-2.
Salah has now scored more Premier League goals against Manchester United at Old Trafford than any other player in the competition’s history.
And he’s the first visiting player to score in four consecutive Premier League away games against United.
After the game, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp claimed that they had a huge chance to win in the first half, but “we take the lesson from this game” to move forward.
With Liverpool second on the log and only a goal difference separating them from Arsenal, Kloop believed, “We should have won the game; we should have had other goals in the first half; we restricted them from coming at us.”
“We did everything right, but we didn’t take our chance. We take the lesson from this game because games are coming thick and fast.
“Away games for United are more special, I am happy we found our way back to the game.”
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