April 8 – Liverpool have been the first to blink in the three-way Premier League title race with Arsenal and Manchester City, as Manchester United managed a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford after Liverpool wasted a multitude of chances.
The draw means that Liverpool, who could have maintained their two point lead, are now level on points with Arsenal, but have a goal difference nine goals inferior. Manchester City are one point behind them.
Liverpool’s sloppiness in front of goal saw them have 28 shots to United’s nine.
Luis Diaz opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with an acrobatic finish to conclude a smart move from Liverpool, who failed to capitalise on their early dominance and probably should have been at least two or three up by half time.
As the chaotic second half began, 20-year-old Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah gifted the ball to United captain Bruno Fernandes following a misjudged pass on the half way line, which the Portugal international stylishly guided into the top corner after seeing Kelleher off his line.
Teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo (pictured) continued to cement his place in Man Utd’s lineup with an inspired performance, highlighted by a fantastic curling effort to gift his side an unlikely lead against the run of play.
Mohamed Salah rescued a point for Liverpool with a late penalty in the 84th minute, which the Egyptian coolly dispatched into the bottom left corner to level the game.
As Liverpool’s strike force continued to be wasteful in front of goal, the match provided a telling reminder of the problems faced by Klopp’s side in their last visit to Old Trafford in March, where they were dumped out of the FA Cup despite creating the lion’s share of attacking opportunities.
Liverpool have had a total of 53 shots over those two matches, yet won neither.
“It is a fact we should have won both games but didn’t. To the whole Liverpool community, just stay calm,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
“People will tell us we need to better our goal difference and to go for that but that would be the dumbest thing we could do.
“That doesn’t happen on purpose, you don’t go into a game wanting to score eight goals and it happens.
Man Utd could yet help Klopp’s side, as they host Arsenal on the season’s penultimate weekend.
However, Klopp fears United need to up their game if they are to halt Mikel Arteta’s side.
“Arsenal are a good football team. If they [United] play like today, Arsenal will win the game, I am 100% sure. I am sorry to say that,” said Klopp.
Arsenal and Man City kept the pressure on the Reds with wins over Brighton and Crystal Palace respectively. Now just one point separates the top three with seven matches left to play.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734896566labto1734896566ofdlr1734896566owedi1734896566sni@g1734896566niwe.1734896566yrrah1734896566