The Reds salvaged a point thanks to Mohamed Salah's penalty, but will be kicking themselves after failing to kill off a game they dominated
Liverpool missed a gilt-edged opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League after being held to a 2-2 draw with a mediocre Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The Reds had utterly dominated the first half and deservedly took the lead through Luis Diaz, but there was always the fear that they would be punished for their profligacy – and so it proved.
Jarell Quansah gifted the home side an equaliser with a horribly misplaced pass just inside his own half that Bruno Fernandes took advantage in some style by beating the stranded Caoimhin Kelleher with a swerving strike from distance.
United then went ahead with another terrific effort, this time from Kobbie Mainoo, to leave Jurgen Klopp in a complete state of shock. However, the German managed to help his side salvage a draw, as one of his substitutes, Harvey Elliott, drew a foul from Aaron Wan-Bissaka that enabled an otherwise wasteful Mohamed Salah to earn Liverpool a point that draws them level on points with Arsenal at the summit of the standings – but are behind the Gunners on goal difference.
Below, GOAL ranks all of the Reds on show on another bitterly frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford…
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Caoimhin Kelleher (6/10):
Given absolutely nothing to do in the first half other than pass the ball to his defenders before being caught in no man's land because of Quansah's horrific error, and then left with no chance on Mainoo's sweet strike.
Conor Bradley (5/10):
Booked early on for a wild challenge on Rashford and should have given the ball back to Szoboszlai after being found in space in the area just before the break. Full of running as always, but rightly replaced shortly after the hour.
Jarell Quansah (4/10):
Got the nod to start alongside Van Dijk ahead of Konate and looked very comfortable until he played a needlessly and dreadfully loose pass that Fernandes pounced on.
Virgil van Dijk (6/10):
Some outrageously calm interventions at the back, but actually had very little to do. Powerless to prevent his side from once again failing to keep a clean sheet.
Andy Robertson (6/10):
As always, a great outlet down the left flank and produced a great cut-back that Szoboszlai wasted – but his corner led to Liverpool breaking the deadlock.
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Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):
Was absolutely integral to Liverpool's first-half domination with his winning and distribution of the ball, and also helped the Reds reclaim control after the shock of conceding two quick goals.
Wataru Endo (5/10):
Not his usual efficient self. Caught in possession at times and gave away a few free-kicks with mistimed tackles before being hauled off as Liverpool lost control of the game.
Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10):
Saw a good early effort brilliantly saved by Onana – one of four shots inside the opening 20 minutes – and also created a good chance for Salah, but ran out of steam midway through the second half.
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Mohamed Salah (6/10):
Drew a couple of straightforward saves out of Onana with shots from the edge of the area, but had Klopp raging after blazing over from 10 yards out shortly before the break. An even worse miss followed in the second half, but he held his nerve to level the game from the spot.
Darwin Nunez (6/10):
After a typically industrious opening, created the opener with his near-post flick-on, but made an absolute mess of a chance at the back post just after the United equaliser.
Luis Diaz (6/10):
On hand to open the scoring by volleying home from close-range and created plenty of openings with his dribbling and neat touches.
Getty Subs & Manager
Curtis Jones (5/10):
Took over in midfield from Szoboszlai and picked up a booking as he tried to put himself about.
Joe Gomez (6/10):
Came on for Bradley and added some solidity down the right-hand side.
Harvey Elliott (7/10):
Replaced Endo with just over 20 minutes to go and yet again made a big impact, winning the penalty from which Salah levelled the game.
Cody Gakpo (5/10):
Thrown on in place of Nunez but didn't get a sight of goal.
Jurgen Klopp (7/10):
His final visit to Old Trafford as Liverpool boss and probably his most frustrating. Absolutely nothing he could do about his team's inability to take their chances, but his changes once again made a difference.