THEY say lightning doesn’t strike twice.
However, fans believe it might be exactly what happened yesterday as Kobbie Mainoo’s stunning goal against Liverpool reminded them of an almost identical one scored more than a decade ago.
With Mohamed Salah’s late penalty rescuing a point for Jurgen Klopp’s side rather than being a winner, Mainoo’s strike means the Reds lost their chance to go to of the Premier League table.
Having motored through the midfield following a Casemiro overhead kick pass to him, Mainoo had played the ball to Alejandro Garnacho who in turn passed to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The full-back then played a ball to Mainoo in the penalty area, who then spun in the left side of the box before bending a shot towards the right corner of the goal.
Fans could not help but notice the similarities between the 18-year-old’s strike and another former Man Utd prodigy’s finish in an almost identical spot in front of the Stretford End.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
They are of course talking about then 17-year-old Federico Macheda.
In a thrilling 3-2 win over Aston Villa, the Italian received a pass into the same area of the penalty area as Mainoo had got his pass from, before spinning and whipping a shot into the right side of the net.
Taking to social media, fans could not help but notice the difference, with one saying: “Kobbie Mainoo’s goal really was a replica of Federico Macheda’s back in 2009….”
A second said: “Who did it better? Federico Macheda? Or Mainoo? Hell of a finish from the youngster.”
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Another said: “Mainoo has been watching Macheda videos.”
A fourth added: “Some things never change.”
Meanwhile, one eagle-eyed fan even spotted that the same Betfred advert could be seen on the advertising boards around the pitch.
Macheda’s goal proved to be significant in eventually landing Man Utd a then record-equalling 18th English league title ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Liverpool had taken the lead in the 2008/09 title race that weekend but would go on to finish second four points behind Man Utd.
The bounce the Macheda goal provided was instrumental as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side won all but one of their remaining games.
This season the Reds are in a similarly tight title race, only against Arsenal and Manchester City this time around.
Fans and pundits alike are wondering which of the sides will blink first, as one slip up could be pivotal in ultimately deciding who claims the title.
SunSport have looked at the title run in with just seven games to go, with Arsenal top on goal difference and defending champions Man City a point behind in third.
Mainoo’s goal, like Macheda’s in 2009, could end up being crucial in deciding the outcome of the title race – only with a more direct hand in thwarting Liverpool hopes.
Should Klopp’s side be at the summit by the end of game week 38, they will have equalled Man Utd’s record of 20 league titles.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s Man City are after an unprecedented fourth title in a row, with three in a row the best any manager – only Guardiola and Ferguson – had previously achieved.
In the case of Mikel Arteta, he is hoping to land the Gunners their first league title for two decades, with the time the north London side won being the 2003/04 Invincible’s season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
