MAN UNITED 1, LIVERPOOL 1
Spirited Manchester United ruined Liverpool’s 100 per cent Premier League record and also ended their hopes of creating history.
Liverpool had been seeking an 18 straight league victory which would have equalled the record set by Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City.
While there was joy at spoiling Liverpool’s day, it was also a massively important point for United who began the day only one point clear of the relegation places after their worst start to a season for 30 years.
It looked as though United, still without a win in six matches in all competitions, would break that sequence after Marcus Rashford put them ahead in the opening period.
And it took a late leveller from Liverpool substitute Adam Lallana to prevent a first league defeat, though they will be aggrieved that two VAR decisions went against them.
They claimed Rashford’s goal should not have stood after a foul in the build-up and Sadio Mane also had a goal ruled out for the slightest brush of his arm.
Liverpool, who have won only once at Old Trafford in the last decade, had been hoping to restore an eight-point lead at the top, though that now stands at six.
It was a gutsy display from United, even though they only enjoyed 32 per cent possession, their second lowest in a game since 2003-04, the other time against Liverpool in March 2018.
But there was frustration they were unable to see out the game as they have allowed eight points to slip away from winning positions.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnited manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left to reflect on what might have been.
He said: “I am disappointed on behalf of the players for the effort they put in. They deserved more than one point and it feel worse conceding the equaliser so late.
“They (Liverpool) did not create many chances and we were punished for one lack of concentration, but that’s the level we are at.”
Solskjaer added his side had chances to seal victory, though he admitted his side was on the back foot in the second half.
“One point is a start and we are disappointed it is not three, but it is a start.
“I am dead pleased for them. The players got the crowd going and the crowd got them going.”
Jurgen Klopp, who has never won at Old Trafford in five attempts, was convinced Rashford’s goal should not have stood saying it was a clear foul on Divock Origi in the build-up.
“Pretty much everything went against us and yet we could still have won the game,” he said.
“I have to be happy with a point but not the overall performance. We should have played much better football.”
Solskjaer went with a 3-5-2 formation with Rashford and Daniel James the front pairing.
United’s manager had to make a late change when Alex Tuanzebe was injured in the warm up and he was replaced by Marcos Rojo.
Anthony Martial, who had recovered from injury, was on the bench alongside Juan Mata and 17-year-old starlet Mason Greenwood to provide forward options.
Liverpool had Origi replacing the injured Mohamed Salah in the front three, but on a brighter note Alisson Becker returned in goal after a lengthy injury absence.
Visiting fans taunted United before kick off chanting they were going down and they were champions of Europe and top of the league.
They held aloft the number six and inflatable European Cups to signify their six wins compared to United’s three.
The atmosphere may have been electric in the stands but it was low voltage on the pitch in the early stages.
Liverpool had the first chance in the 13th minute, a 25-yard drive from Georginio Wijnaldum which was easily saved by David De Gea.
United had to wait until the 25th minute for their first meaningful chance, a drive from Scott McTominay, following a powerful forward burst, but it flew straight to Alisson.
Liverpool had a decent chance when Sadio Mane broke on the right and his low cross was met on the run by Roberto Firmino but his shot was again easily saved.
Firmino forced a great reflex save from De Gea, but it was not needed as he had been flagged for offside.
The breakthrough came in the 36th minute but it was clouded in controversy with Liverpool claiming Origi had been fouled by Victor Lindelof in the build-up.
Daniel James raced away on the right and his low cross was converted by Rashford, who stole in front of Joel Matip, from six yards for his fourth goal of the campaign.
The goal was reviewed by VAR and stood after replays suggested minimal contact.
The controversy certainly sparked the game to life.
Liverpool were left aggrieved after they had a 44th minute equaliser ruled out by VAR.
Mane was deemed to have controlled Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long ball with his arm before turning Victor Lindelof before slotting home.
De Gea’s immediate reaction was to signal for handball and his appeal was upheld by VAR official David Coote.
United had a great chance to double their lead midway through the second half following a break by Rashford who saw his 25-yard drive flash narrowly wide.
Brazilian Fred also watched a screamer fly past the upright as United remained the greater threat.
United made their first change in the 84th minute as Rashford made way for Martial.
It was another substitute, Liverpool’s Lallana who equalised moments later.
Andrew Robertson’s low cross from the left eluded everybody as Lallana, lurking at the far post, had a simple tap-in.
Liverpool pressed for a winner as substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fired narrowly wide.
Then in stoppage time there was another VAR check for a handball in the area, though replays showed the midfielder cleared the ball with his shoulder.
United, who replaced Andreas Pereira with youngster Brandon Williams in stoppage time, held on for a point they fully deserved.