ANALYSIS: In a thrilling Premier League match on Sunday, a wasteful Liverpool team drew 2-2 away to rival Manchester United.
Jurgen Klopp was furious when Liverpool trailed 2-1 to Man Utd due to Kobbie Mainoo’s goal (Image: GETTY)
Manchester United delivered a setback to Liverpool’s hopes of winning the Premier League title on Sunday at Old Trafford. The Reds needed to win to maintain their league-leading position, but they missed several opportunities to double their lead before brilliant goals from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo completely turned the tide of the match. Although Liverpool will feel they should have won the game and United was also in a great position to take all three points, Mohamed Salah’s late penalty kick helped salvage a 2-2 draw. Express Sport breaks down the key talking points from an intense game.
Again at Old Trafford, Liverpool were left feeling frustrated.
In the first half, United failed to muster a single shot on goal. They had not made an attempt in the first forty-five minutes of a league game at Old Trafford for the first time since October 2015.
According to Sky Sports, the expected goals (xG) at halftime were 0.00 vs 1.59. The atmosphere was flat and the away team had total control. Then, with United’s first shot, Bruno Fernandes lobbed Caoimhin Kelleher from a full 45 yards after seizing on Jarell Quansah’s slack pass.
Old Trafford was a completely different place all of a sudden. On 67 minutes, Mainoo turned and curled a stunning shot into the far top corner to make it 2-1. It was only the hosts’ fifth shot of the match. The foundations of the stadium shook.
Even though Liverpool scored a late goal to salvage a draw, they still had the opportunity to win this game. They had a lot of possession and numerous opportunities, just like in their FA Cup quarterfinal loss three weeks prior at this same location, but they were unable to secure the outcome they were hoping for. How much might that end up costing on May 19th?
Making his rage known, Jurgen Klopp was furious with his Liverpool team during the second half. Soon after Mainoo scored a stunning goal to make it 2-1, Sky Sports cameras saw him unleashing his players from the touchline.
Is it possible to hold him accountable? For the first forty-five minutes, the visitors had an abundance of space to attack and tons of chances to score goals. However, they refused to accept them and were forced to pay.
“I’m not angry with the boys or whatever, but in the game I cannot just let things like this happen,” he said in his post-match explanation. There is only one player between the lines, and I’m not sure which player is too deep, but we are too deep.
It is perfectly acceptable for my manager to yell like that on the field, but if I were a player, I wouldn’t be happy with that. It’s things you observe in real time as midfield and defense interact.”
Fortunately for Klopp and his team, Salah scored from the spot after Aaron Wan-Bissaka had brought down Harvey Elliott late in the game. That probably prevented them from hearing another rowdy one after the full-time whistle in the dressing room.
Same old United concerns
For the Red Devils, it is the same issue over and over again. After giving up 31 shots against Brentford and 28 against Chelsea, United had already given up 15 by the half. 28 was the full-time number.
In the end, United’s porousness was overshadowed by the fact they managed a respectable draw against a title-threatening team. However, Liverpool’s recklessness is the only reason for that. If they had taken a chance, the outcome might have been drastically different.
Prior to Fernandes’ outstanding equalizer, United was well below the caliber required to win these kinds of matches. Naturally, they should be given some credit for their ability to rekindle their fighting spirit and prevent Liverpool from winning.
However, a lot of unanswered questions remain regarding this Erik ten Hag team. Why do they let so much in? What is the strategy? Why are they unable to fight in every other match and display this stomach? INEOS will be posing these queries.
Mainoo is once again tall.
Even though United hasn’t played well overall this season, Mainoo’s rise has been extremely beneficial. In just his 22nd first-team appearance against Liverpool, the 18-year-old academy graduate’s performance was mediocre.
However, it was his brilliant goal—his first for the team at Old Trafford—that gave United a 2-1 lead. It was just one more highlight in the adolescent’s expanding reel of highlights. Everything about him was revealed in his post-game interview, where he expressed his disappointment that the Red Devils had lost the game.
United has a player in Mainoo who is destined for greatness. Regardless of the manager for the next ten years, he possesses the mindset and abilities to play a significant role in this team.
Changes at the top of the table
Liverpool entered this game level with Manchester City, who overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Crystal Palace yesterday, and one point behind Arsenal following their 3-0 annihilation of Brighton last night.
They would have regained their lead over Arsenal and City by three points if they had won. Rather, a draw signifies that they forfeit top sot. They have the same number of points as the Gunners, 71, but a far lower goal differential.
Liverpool’s GD is +42 and that of North Londoners is +51. Compared to their fierce competitors, who are playing fantastically in 2024, the Reds have given up six goals more. In their 11 Premier League games this year, they have not trailed for a single minute.
