NEWS FLASH: According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool Jurgen Klopp is upset and prepared to bench their key player for the team’s remaining games after the star player consistently made bad mistakes that cost the team against Man Utd. He declared, “To me this is a loss we dropped points. I spoke with him and gave him directions, but he was still unable to flow, so I made the decision to go. Sorry, but the truth is that he was awful to watch; it doesn’t matter whether it offends you—he cost us the victory.” Liverpool manager Klopp expressed dissatisfaction with the star’s performance in their 2:2 draw to Manchester United saying, “Was poor today.” He should be sold.
Liverpool and Manchester United played out a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday, injecting further drama into the Premier League title race.
Luis Diaz broke the deadlock in an assertive first half for Liverpool, but Bruno Fernandes swiftly equalized for United. Kobbie Mainoo then handed United the lead before Mohamed Salah’s 84th-minute penalty leveled the score, ensuring both teams earned a point.
The outcome leaves Liverpool tied with leaders Arsenal on 71 points, although they remain in second place due to an inferior goal difference. They hold a one-point advantage over Manchester City, with all three teams having seven games remaining.
Meanwhile, United find themselves in sixth place, 11 points behind Aston Villa with a game in hand, as they strive to keep their slim hopes of securing a top-four finish alive.
Erik ten Hag’s side found the net early, but Alejandro Garnacho was flagged offside before Andre Onana made a crucial save to deny Dominik Szoboszlai, setting the tone for a frenetic start.
Liverpool gradually seized control of the game, with Szoboszlai coming close on two occasions before Diaz capitalized on Darwin Nunez’s flicked header from a corner to give Liverpool the lead.
Although Casemiro threatened with a header, Liverpool missed two golden opportunities as Salah’s effort was tipped away and Nunez’s shot narrowly missed the target.
Liverpool headed into halftime with a commanding lead, boasting 1.59 expected goals (xG) compared to United’s 0.00. The Reds dominated proceedings with eight corners and 15 shots, leaving United’s players booed off the pitch at Old Trafford, having failed to register a single shot in the first half of a top-flight game for the first time in nine years.
United emerged revitalized after the break, leveling the score at 1-1 in the 50th minute courtesy of a peculiar goal from Fernandes, who intercepted Jarell Quansah’s errant pass and capitalized on Caoimhin Kelleher’s positioning to score from inside the center circle.
The Red Devils intensified their pursuit of the lead, with Garnacho’s effort deflected behind and Kelleher making a crucial save, before Nunez squandered a promising counter-attack opportunity, much to Jurgen Klopp’s frustration.
Old Trafford witnessed a moment of brilliance from United’s teenage sensation Mainoo, who turned and curled a spectacular shot into the top corner to give ten Hag’s side the lead.
However, Liverpool salvaged a point late on as Wan-Bissaka fouled Harvey Elliott in the penalty area, allowing Salah to convert from the spot and avoid defeat against their arch-rivals.
Liverpool will now shift their focus to Thursday’s Europa League clash against Atalanta before resuming Premier League action against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
