Liverpool drew 2-2 with Manchester United as Mohamed Salah’s late penalty saw the Reds fight back to claim what could be valuable point in the Premier League title race, but the result has now handed the impetus to leaders Arsenal.
After serving up an FA Cup classic last month, these two rivals played out another thriller at Old Trafford on Sunday.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
36 | +60 | 83 |
| 2 |
Man City
MCI
|
35 | +54 | 82 |
| 3 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
36 | +43 | 78 |
Having gone 1-0 up through Luis Diaz, Liverpool could have been out of sight by half-time, but their profligacy in front of goal proved costly when Bruno Fernandes made Jarell Quansah pay for a loose pass with an audacious strike to restore parity after the break.
Kobbie Mainoo subsequently sparked wild celebrations with a delightful curling finish, but Salah’s composure following Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s foul on Harvey Elliott ensured Liverpool moved level on points with Arsenal, though the Gunners – and Manchester City – will feel they are the big winners from this encounter.
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How the match unfolded
Alejandro Garnacho saw a goal ruled out for offside within two minutes of kick-off, before Dominik Szoboszlai was denied by Andre Onana in a frenzied start.
The visitors netted a deserved opener with 23 minutes played, Darwin Nunez flicking on Andrew Robertson's corner to Luis Diaz, who slammed home from close range.
United didn't have a shot in the first half, but their fortunes changed moments after the restart thanks to Quansah’s mistake.
The defender carelessly gave the ball away, and Fernandes, from the centre-circle, took full advantage by arrowing a first-time finish over Caoimhin Kelleher, United's first shot of the match.
And Liverpool were left to further rue their earlier missed chances as Mainoo curled an exquisite finish into the far corner, giving Kelleher no chance, to put United ahead.
But with less than 10 minutes left, Wan-Bissaka sent Elliott tumbling in the box, and Salah made no mistake from the spot to slot in and earn his side a point, with United – who went close late on through Antony – remaining 11 points off the top four.
Salah's equaliser from the penalty spot was his sixth Premier League goal at Old Trafford against United, the most of any visiting player in the competition's history.
All seven of Liverpool's last Premier League penalties against United have been at Old Trafford, with Salah's the first to score from the spot in this fixture since James Milner in January 2017.
In fact, 25 per cent of the penalty goals scored against United at Old Trafford in the Premier League have been scored by Liverpool, and Klopp will not have wanted anyone other than Salah to be stood over the ball.
However, the Reds might well look at this as an opportunity lost. With seven matches left, they are on the same points as Arsenal, but behind the league leaders on goal difference, while City sit just a point behind in third.
Garnacho (19 years old), Willy Kambwala (19) and Mainoo (18) all started for United, the first time the Red Devils have begun with three teenagers in a Premier League match against Liverpool.
They stepped up, too, especially after the break following a tricky first half in which the hosts struggled to get a foothold.
Mainoo became the first 18-year-old to net a Premier League goal against Liverpool since Cesc Fabregas for Arsenal in May 2005, while he is also the youngest ever United scorer against Liverpool in the competition.
A picture perfect strike from Kobbie Mainoo 🖼️
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 7, 2024
The 18-year-old becomes the youngest ever @ManUtd scorer vs Liverpool in the Premier League ✨#MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/MMFW2Wwu2c
He looks some talent, and his performance here will have done no harm to his bid to make Gareth Southgate's England squad for the upcoming European Championships.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
36 | +20 | 67 |
| 5 |
Spurs
TOT
|
35 | +11 | 60 |
| 6 |
Newcastle
NEW
|
35 | +22 | 56 |
Club reports
Man Utd report | Liverpool report
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Key facts
Bruno Fernandes scored his 50th Premier League goal from Manchester United's very first shot of the match against Liverpool in the 50th minute.
Man Utd failed to record a single shot in the first half of a Premier League match for the first time since April 2022, which was also against Liverpool, and for only the second time on record (from 2003/04) at Old Trafford in the competition, after October 2015 v Man City.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored six Premier League goals at Old Trafford, the most of any visiting player in the competition's history, overtaking Steven Gerrard's five.
Liverpool failed to win a Premier League fixture in which they had a lead for the first time since October against Brighton (2-2), ending their 16-match winning run when going ahead in the competition.
