Liverpool are involved in an intense three-horse title race, while Manchester United are fighting to keep their fading Champions League hopes alive.
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Manchester United and Liverpool produced another classic at Old Trafford, as the two sides played out a thrilling draw. Just weeks after United edged out the Reds 4-3 in extra-time to win the FA Cup quarter-final, the supporters were treated to another action-packed encounter. This time it was in the Premier League. It was undoubtedly the game of the weekend, with all eyes of the football world set on Old Trafford.
Both teams had a lot to play for going into this fixture. Liverpool are involved in an intense three-horse Premier League title race, while Manchester United are fighting to keep their fading Champions League hopes alive. The first half was dominated by the visitors. They had the possession and chances. The only saving grace for United was that Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to make the most of their opportunities as they went into the break with a 1-0 lead scored by Luis Diaz.
The second half started with United equalising from nowhere when Bruno Fernandes latched on to a misplaced pass from Jarell Quansah to score a screamer from just inside Liverpool’s half. Notably, it was United’s first shot of the game. Soon they went in front when young gem Kobbie Mainoo scored a beautiful curling strike into the far corner. However, they were unable to hold on to that lead with Mohamed Salah scoring the equaliser six minutes from time from a penalty spot.
Liverpool were in full control until Quansah’s mistake allowed Fernandes to score the stunning equaliser. Klopp was asked about the character showed by the 21-year-old after his costly error. “Look, as a professional football player – [and] he will play in the Premier League, he will play for Liverpool – I have the bad news: it will not be his last mistake, unfortunately, but that’s how life is… I thought he dealt extremely well with it and the boys dealt well with it,” Klopp, quoted on the club’s website, said in his post-match press conference.
He added: “That’s part of the business, that’s part of the game. We want to play football, we want to keep the ball, we want to have the ball, we want to be playing [in the] build-up, all these kind of things. It is not a great situation but how I said, there were bigger mistakes in football and they were not used, but Bruno saw the opportunity and took it and that’s how it is. So, absolutely no blame or whatever, not at all, no criticism. That just happens, he will learn from it and that’s the best thing that can happen.”
The draw meant Liverpool no longer hold the top spot. Arsenal have edged them by goal difference. With only seven league games left to play, Klopp was asked whether being second in the table matters at this stage. The manager replied, “That matters after 38 matchdays a lot. There is a big difference after 38 matchdays. Look, you will – and people, our supporters as well – tell us [Arsenal] have the better goal difference and now we have to go for that. That would be the dumbest thing we can do. It doesn’t happen on purpose.”
He added: “You don’t win a game and want to score eight goals and it happens. We are who we are, we are how we are and that is why we are in the race and I am absolutely fine with that. I knew it would be super-tricky until the end. That’s all. Again, until yesterday, we were top of the table and now it is Arsenal. We want to be there after 38 [games], after the last matchday. It’s always better to be there the whole time and get some distance between you [and the other teams]. We are fine with our situation.”
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