LIVERPOOL picked up a viral three points with a 3-2 win over rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight.
Roberto Firmino scored twice and Diogo Jota nabbed the other for Jurgen Klopp’s side, while Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford notched for the home side.
- RESULT: Man Utd 2-4 Liverpool
- Man Utd XI: 26 Henderson; 29 Wan-Bissaka, 3 Bailly, 2 Lindelof, 23 Shaw; 39 McTominay, 17 Fred; 10 Rashford, 18 Fernandes, 6 Pogba; 7 Cavani
- Liverpool XI: 1 Alisson; 66 Alexander-Arnold, 47 Phillips, 46 R Williams, 26 Robertson; 5 Wijnaldum, 3 Fabinho, 6 Thiago; 11 Salah, 9 Firmino, 20 Jota
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FAREWELL FROM OLD TRAFFORD
After so much drama in the build-up to this contest, you would have been forgiven for thinking that these two clubs would serve up another damp squib of a derby.
Instead, what we got was a frantic, chaotic display of defensive mishaps and cool finishes, and a result that has Liverpool in the hunt for the top four finish that has long looked beyond them.
With so many moments to recall, it’s perhaps best to consult Neil Custis’ match report to pick apart this six-goal thriller, an evening that began with flares, protests and arrests, and ended with Mohammed Salah celebrating on his knees in front of an empty East Stand.
The sides won’t have long to wait until they’re in action again with the next weekend of Premier League football beginning less than 24 hours from now.
Thanks for reading, and goodnight.
OLE REACTION
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put a brave face on for the cameras after watching his side fall to a second home defeat in three days, and felt that yet again the key moments at key times were against them.
[Liverpool] deserved the win. We conceded goals in key moments of the game, and neither built on our own momentum or broke up their momentum. We gave them two goals really, and when we scored again, we then missed a massive chance. Those key moments went against us.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
TRENT ON SONG
In what has often been a difficult season, Trent Alexander-Arnold picked the perfect time to put in one of his best performances of the campaign.
The right-back was assured in defence, and a constant menace when in possession and at set-pieces. A timely showing for his club, and a timely reminder to his country.
If Gareth Southgate doesn’t select him this summer, I’m going to cup up all his favourite waistcoats.
MAD-IO SANE
The one sour note for Liverpool on a superb night was Sadio Mane’s reaction to Jurgen Klopp at full time.
The Senegalese forward was clearly upset at being left out of the starting line-up, and let it show when shrugging off his manager’s fist bump at the final whistle.
The Liverpool boss was adamant that there is no problem between the pair, but it may yet be a relationship to keep an eye on in the final weeks of the season.
KLOPP OF THE WORLD
A delighted Jurgen Klopp has praised his players for their performance and timely victory, singling out ‘Man of the Match’ Trent Alexander-Arnold for a special mention.
It was a great fight, a good game, intense, and just how a derby should be. Since I came to Liverpool, it’s our first win at Old Trafford and it’s good timing, I would say. We needed it, we fought hard for it, and we deserved it. I saw only good performances, to be honest. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] was in proper shape tonight, and played pretty much everything.
Jurgen Klopp
FIGHT FOR THE TOP FOUR
Liverpool’s success this evening moves them up to fifth in the table, and four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.
And because Leicester and Chelsea still have each other to play, the Reds have their Champions League destiny in their own hands.
LEICESTER CITY (66 points)
- Chelsea (a)
- Tottenham (h)
CHELSEA (64 points)
- Leicester (h)
- Aston Villa (a)
LIVERPOOL (60 points)
- West Brom (a)
- Burnley (a)
- Crystal Palace (h)
FULL TIME STATS
An impressive evening for Liverpool, who managed to register eight of their nine attempts on target.
More impressively, Roberto Firmino appears to have scored his second goal before his first.
FT: MAN UTD 2-4 LIVERPOOL
A first Liverpool win at Old Trafford since 2014 has the Reds firmly in the fight for a top-four finish. Jurgen Klopp’s team fought back after falling behind to Bruno Fernandes’ goal to lead 3-1 through Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino’s brace. Marcus Rashford pulled one back to set up a grandstand finish, but Mohamed Salah sealed victory on the break in stoppage time. It’s the highest scoring match between these two at Old Trafford since 1962.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
A THRILLING ENCOUNTER COMES TO AN END!
MAN UTD 2-4 LIVERPOOL
90. Mohamed Salah seals victory for Liverpool!
As United committed numbers forward, there was always going to be the opportunity to catch them on the break – and so it proves.
Salah has had a quiet night, but there isn’t any player you’d rather have latching on to Firmino’s poke forward to the halfway line; a simple pass made by the Brazilian after Thiago has swept up Nemanja Matic’s mess in midfield.
With the entire United half to run into, Salah kept his composure as he sped into the box and steered comfortably beyond Dean Henderson.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLL!!
MO SALAH WRAPS IT UP!!MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
87. Three minutes plus stoppage time remaining, and they could be huge in defining Liverpool’s season.
United are searching for an equaliser. They are throwing men forward.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
85. Here’s the change.
Nemanja Matic replaces Eric Bailly. The Serbian will play in midfield, and Scott McTominay will drop into defence for the final minutes.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
84. Cavani picks up a yellow card for a foul on Thiago.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
83. McTominay’s evening may not end up with an early bath, but it could finish with him playing in central defence.
Eric Bailly is grimacing, and changes are being readied.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
80. McTominay gets away with one!
Seconds after being booked, the midfielder is turned and caught the wrong side of Mane.
The arm comes out to stop his opponent, and the slightest contact brings the Liverpool forward to ground.
If it’s a foul, then a second yellow has to follow. Anthony Taylor takes a long look, and then waves play on.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
79. Scott McTominay goes into the book for catching Fabinho on the shin.
The Scotland international was actually pulling out of the challenge when his studs connected, which is just as well for him otherwise he could have been in big trouble.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
78. Thiago is penalised for handball, and Manchester United have a free-kick in a very dangerous position just outside the box.
It’s prime territory for Fernandes, and the United captain makes it clear that he’s taking charge.
He takes a short run up, flicks over the wall…
… and over the crossbar.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
76. Shaw and Rashford combine well down the left with the latter cutting back inside Phillips and on to his right foot.
The angle is against him, and so it proves when he drags his shot into the side netting.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
74. Another wonderful Alexander-Arnold pass, over the top for Mane, has the substitute on the run but he is unable to bring it under control before Henderson arrives on the scene.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
72. Lindelof rises at the far post, Maguire-esque, to meet a corner, but can’t get any power in his connection.
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
70. How has that stayed out?!
Shaw’s centre causes chaos in the penalty area, has Cavani sniffing in the six-yard box and eventually falls for Greenwood at the far post.
The substitute forces a shot past Alisson, but he can’t beat Phillips on the line. Liverpool survive!
MAN UTD 2-3 LIVERPOOL
68. Much, much better from Manchester United, and their best move of the night brings a second goal.
Breaking at pace, Bruno Fernandes dummies and Edinson Cavani sends Marcus Rashford in on goal with a lovely through ball.
The England forward remains calm despite the presence of Andy Robertson, and slips a shot past Alisson to find the bottom corner.
Unlike 11 days ago, it’s game on!
GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLL!!
MARCUS RASHFORD PULLS ONE BACK!!MAN UTD 1-3 LIVERPOOL
66. By the way, Mason Greenwood is on for Fred.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
