Liverpool thrash Manchester United 4-2, stay in contention for top-four spot

Roberto Firmino scored a brace after Diogo Jota canceled out Bruno Fernandes' goal. Marcus Rashford's goal gave hopes of a reprieve but Mohammed Salah's late goal ensured the three points for Liverpool.

Liverpool beat Manchester United 4-2 at old trafford on Thursday; Credit: Twitter/@JamesMilner
By Sreejith C R | May 14, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Liverpool beat Manchester United 4-2 at Old Trafford on Thursday to stay in contention for a top four finish. The home team started the proceedings and went ahead early in the match courtesy of Bruno Fernandes’ deflected shot. Jurgen Klopp’s side scored two goals before the end of first half through Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino. Firmino scored his second of the night within two minutes of restart. Marcus Rashford made the score 3-2 but Mohammed Salah sealed the match with the fourth Liverpool goal in the 90th minute.

Liverpool were slow to start the game and conceded just 10 minutes after kick-off. Bruno Fernandes received the cut back from Aaron Wan-Bissaka inside the penalty area. The Portuguese midfielder’s shot with the outside of his right foot took a huge deflection of Liverpool defender Nathaniel Phillips and went past goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Diogo Jota’s volley was acrobatically saved by Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea. But the away team scored the equalizer from the subsequent corner. Phillips redeemed himself with an assist after the Man United defence failed to clear Salah’s first time attempt following De Gea’s punched clearance. Phillips’ low drive through the congested Man United defender’s somehow reached Diogo Jota, who flicked the ball in from close range.

Rashford gives hope, Salah seals the deal for Liverpool

Just before the end of first half, Roberto Firmino got on the end of a Trent Alexander-Arnold free-kick at the far post and gave the lead to Liverpool. The Brazilian beat Paul Pogba and headed the ball in at the near post past De Gea. Two minutes after restart, Man United lost ball possession while playing out from the back and Firmino got his second of the night. Right-back Arnold’s powerful shot from inside the penalty area went straight to De Gea, but the rebound was slotted in by Firmino. It Was Arnold’s second assist of the night.

Solskjaer’s team scored the second goal in the 68th minute through Marcus Rashford. Cavani played in Rashford with a through ball and the English striker rolled the ball past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. The goal gave them hopes of a reprieve but Salah’s late goal sealed the three points for Liverpool. The Egyptian fired the ball past De Gea to make the score 4-2 for Liverpool. It was Salah’s 21st goal of the season, level on goals scored with golden boot leader Harry Kane.

The win takes Liverpool to 60 points from 35 games. They are two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand. Liverpool will fancy their chances of securing a Champions League spot with three games remaining. Chelsea will take on third-placed Leicester on Thursday.

Liverpool’s next three games are against West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace. Leicester will play against Tottenham in their last game.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are second in the points table with 70 points from 36 games. It was their second consecutive defeat after losing 2-1 to Leicester on Tuesday.





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