Manchester United were left to rue their decision-making as they let a 2-1 lead slip to draw 2-2 with Liverpool.
It remains a costly result in Liverpool’s bid to win the Premier League title, with this draw no doubt celebrated by fans of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Liverpool took the lead through Luis Diaz’s acrobatic effort but the Reds failed to build on their dominance in a one-sided first half.
Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo rallied back for United with stunning goals, only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to gift Mohamed Salah an equaliser from the penalty spot.
Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT ran the rule over the two sides…
Mohamed Salah rescued a point for Liverpool on a frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford
Kobbie Mainoo (middle) had Manchester United fans dreaming when he fired them ahead
MAN UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Andre Onana – 7.5
Made a stunning save just three minutes in to deny Dominik Szoboszlai and was as busy as he would have feared. Bounced back well from his error at Chelsea. Booked.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Did well to limit the influence of Mohamed Salah on proceedings but made a stupid decision to fly in on Harvey Elliott and gave a penalty away.
Harry Maguire – 6.5
Looked shaky in moments but also made a number of key interceptions when Liverpool looked set to run up the score.
Willy Kambwala – 7
Did not look out of place in what was just his second senior start. The 19-year-old relished his battle with Darwin Nunez – and came out on top more often than not. Booked.
Willy Kambwala held his own in what was a high-pressure environment for the 19-year-old
Diogo Dalot – 6.5
Used his experience as the game wore on. Had his hands full with both Robertson and Diaz running at him.
Casemiro – 5
Was left scarily exposed in a one-sided first half for Liverpool. Never managed to get any control in the midfield battle as the game went on. Booked.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
Has looked to be running on empty since the international break and while he started poorly he served up a stunner to put them 2-1 ahead. Will be a goal remembered for years to come.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Restored to the side in favour of Antony, he gave Conor Bradley plenty to think about before he was forced off through injury. United fans will hope it’s not serious.
Marcus Rashford’s (right) day was a frustrating one given that he had to go off with an injury
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5
Put a nightmare first half behind him to score a stunner from inside the centre circle for his 50th Premier League goal. Had plenty to do, even with Jarrell Quansah gifting him possession.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
Thought he had given United a dream start when he rounded Kelleher to score after two minutes – only for it to be ruled offside. He’s constantly buzzing around and is always such a threat.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5.5
Did a lot of the dirty work but looks like he needs a goal to give him the confidence back that he showed when he was in his purple patch with a brace at Luton.
Manager: Erik ten Hag – 6
Erik ten Hag will be the happier of the two managers to have taken a point off a title chaser
SUBS:
Antony (for Marcus Rashford, 66) – 6.5
Sofyan Amrabat (for Alejandro Garnacho, 80) – 6
Mason Mount (for Kobbie Mainoo, 84) – 6
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Caiomhin Kelleher – 6
Was left exposed by Quansah’s error for Fernandes’ equaliser and could do absolutely nothing for Mainoo’s stunner.
Andy Robertson – 6.5
Started tentative but soon grew into the game. Will have been frustrated he didn’t make more of his chances in attacking areas, particularly in the first half.
Virgil van Dijk – 6.5
Called on team-mates to be brave beforehand and he was one of the cooler heads when things heated up after Mainoo’s equaliser.
Virgil van Dijk will have been left annoyed that they gifted Manchester United their two goals
Jarrell Quansah – 6
Made a costly mistake to gift Fernandes an equaliser and that was cruel on the youngster, who started bright.
Conor Bradley – 5.5
Booked early for crunching Rashford and again found Old Trafford a tough assignment. Was one of the first to be replaced.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
A Premier League player of the year contender, this wasn’t one of his finest afternoons. Liverpool will be left cursing that they didn’t put United away.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 5
Missed three gilt-edged chances early on and will have frustrated his manager for his sloppiness in possession thereafter. Needs to do more to take charge of big games like this one.
Dominik Szoboszlai (left) continues to let big games pass him by, rather than dictate them
Wataru Endo – 6
Preferred to Ryan Gravenberch and while that decision was vindicated for 45 minutes, his influence waned once Liverpool drifted away from the plan that had been working so well for them.
Luis Diaz – 6.5
Served up a brilliant scissor kick to make it 1-0 but was unable to capitalise on it. Grew increasingly frustrated as this one wore on.
Darwin Nunez – 6
Great flick on from the corner that lead to Diaz’s opener. But he missed a huge chance when put in at 1-1 after a five-on-two break. Fair to question how ruthless a finisher he is.
Mohamed Salah – 6.5
Was given a big build-up for how often he’s hurt United in this fixture and he held his nerve with a crucial penalty to make it 2-2.
Manager: Jurgen Klopp – 5
Jurgen Klopp will be left ruing missed chances in the first half when his side totally dominated
SUBS:
Joe Gomez (for Conor Bradley, 65) – 7
Curtis Jones (for Dominik Szoboszlai, 65) – 6
Cody Gakpo (for Darwin Nunez, 68) – 6
Harvey Elliott (for Wataru Endo, 69) – 7
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
