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Version 2 Version 3
Manchester United v Liverpool: Premier League – live! Manchester United v Liverpool: Premier League – live!
(32 minutes later)
Post-match reaction
Jordan Henderson “I delighted for Adam, because he’s worked so hard and he deserves that. He saved us today and that could be a big point come the end of the season. We could have been better – we know that – but if you can’t win, don’t lose. We were sloppy first half, not fluid enough; it was quite scrappy. Second half I thought we caused them more problems, especially towards the end of the game, but we couldn’t find a winner.
“I felt the referee gave a lot of similar free-kicks to them in the first half, and then he didn’t give one to us on their goal. But it’s no excuse, we’ve got to defend it better. Our performance level wasn’t up to our usual standards. We have to take the positives from the game and learn from the negatives.
Adam Lallana
“The manager just asked me to make an impact when I came on. I thought Ox did extremely well when he came on. If we’re gonna win the league we’ll need a squad, not just an XI, and that’s what we can take out of today’s game. We weren’t at our best so it’s a point gained.
“People were saying it would be an easy three points for us. That’s never the case, and form goes out the window in these games. It felt like we controlled the game in the second half. We’re still unbeaten so there are huge positives considering we didn’t play our best.”
That’s it. Liverpool’s winning run ends at 17, one short of the record, but they will be happy enough after Adam Lallana’s late equaliser put them six points clear at the top. Although it was a scruffy game of few chances, there was always something going on and it was fascinating tactically.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer set United up expertly in the first half, with a 3-4-1-2 formation and split strikers, but they ran out of steam in the second. And although Liverpool were nowhere near their awesome best, they deserved a draw for their persistence and territorial dominance.
There was VAR controversy, inevitably, and a soupçon of needle. United look deflated because of the late equaliser. When the dust settles, they will reflect on a pretty good day. Marcus Rashford on the talismanic side of immense, and there were plenty of signs that United are going in the right direction. In this case, admittedly, that means moving from 14th to 13th in the league, but beggars, choosers and all that.
Peep peep!
No penalty! A cross from the right hit Fred on the shoulder, and they are still looking at it. It’s been cleared, but Liverpool have a corner.
90+6 min: VAR check for a Liverpool penalty!
90+5 min Oxlade-Chamberlain overhits a fairly straightforward crossfield pass to Alexander-Arnold, who would have been in on the right side of the area.
90+4 min Brandon Williams replaces Andreas Pereira for United.
90+3 min Pereira’s corner is headed clear by Matip.
90+3 min Now James wins a corner for United on the counter-attack. As much as it anything, it will buy them a bit of time.
90+1 min Oxlade-Chamberlain, 25 yards from goal, cracks a superb daisy-cutter with his left foot that beats de Gea and goes this far wide of the post.
90 min United are out on their feet. There will be five minutes of added time.
89 min If Liverpool win this, it will empower them beyond belief for the rest of the season. They have a bit of a swagger on for the first time all day.
88 min A poor header from Lindelof goes straight to Alexander-Arnold, who swishes the bouncing ball just over the bar from the right side of the area. De Gea had it covered.
87 min Liverpool have a great chance to nick this, because the place has gone really flat and United look tired.
It was made by Robertson on the left. His low cross, not his best actually, was missed by Lindelof at the near post and ran through to Lallana, who tapped into an open net from four yards. Liverpool could yet make it 18 wins in a row!
Adam Lallana has equalised for Liverpool!
84 min The first Manchester United change: Anthony Martial replaces Marcus Rashford, who has been immense.
83 min James charges down the left, ignores a rugby tackle from Matip and flashes a low ball across the face of goal. It’s recycled by Wan-Bissaka and then Fred, who whistles a left-footed shot just wide of the far post. I think Alisson had it covered.
82 min Liverpool make their final change: Naby Keita for Gini Wijnaldum.
81 min United have now moved to a 5-4-1 formation, with James on the left wing. I’m surprised Martial hasn’t come on, although I don’t suppose you can take Rashford off when he’s playing like this.
80 min “These two pub sides are giving it their all,” says Kevin Porter. “When does the Premier League match start?”
79 min Oxlade-Chamberlain drifts out of play to huge cheers. Liverpool’s pass selection has been weirdly poor for most of the match.
78 min “Fred and Pereira have been wonderful today,” says Manasvin. “an underrated part of what Pereira has done is the way he’s locked Fabinho up. You expect Fab to usually be heavily involved in Liverpool’s first stage build-up but he’s been closed off very well today. Props to Fred for covering spaces in midfield properly as well, he’s ensured that Wijnaldum doesn’t have the chance to twist and turn his way out like he did in the initial stages.”78 min “Fred and Pereira have been wonderful today,” says Manasvin. “an underrated part of what Pereira has done is the way he’s locked Fabinho up. You expect Fab to usually be heavily involved in Liverpool’s first stage build-up but he’s been closed off very well today. Props to Fred for covering spaces in midfield properly as well, he’s ensured that Wijnaldum doesn’t have the chance to twist and turn his way out like he did in the initial stages.”
Agreed, especially about Pereira and Fabinho, who is such an underrated influence on Liverpool’s play.Agreed, especially about Pereira and Fabinho, who is such an underrated influence on Liverpool’s play.
77 min Young is lucky not to be booked for a late tackle on Lallana, a point Virgil van Dijk makes in his ear before play restarts.77 min Young is lucky not to be booked for a late tackle on Lallana, a point Virgil van Dijk makes in his ear before play restarts.
75 min Liverpool have completely dominated possession in the second half, yet I don’t think de Gea has had a save to make. It’s been a very strange game.75 min Liverpool have completely dominated possession in the second half, yet I don’t think de Gea has had a save to make. It’s been a very strange game.
73 min If it stays like this, and that’s an appreciable if, it’ll complete a very, very good day for Manchester United.73 min If it stays like this, and that’s an appreciable if, it’ll complete a very, very good day for Manchester United.
Katie Zelem and Jess Sigsworth fire Manchester United to cup win over CityKatie Zelem and Jess Sigsworth fire Manchester United to cup win over City
72 min Fred, on the left side of the box, slashes a half-volley well wide from 15 yards. It was a nice move from United involving Pereira, Rashford, Young and then Pereira again.72 min Fred, on the left side of the box, slashes a half-volley well wide from 15 yards. It was a nice move from United involving Pereira, Rashford, Young and then Pereira again.
71 min Adam Lallana replaces Jordan Henderson. Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville on Sky are slating Liverpool’s performance, with Carragher suggesting there might be a “mental block” about playing at Old Trafford.71 min Adam Lallana replaces Jordan Henderson. Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville on Sky are slating Liverpool’s performance, with Carragher suggesting there might be a “mental block” about playing at Old Trafford.
71 min “He’s only gone and done it, hasn’t he?” says Simon McMahon. “Andy Murray won! He bloomin’ well won! A set and a break down, and he still won. He’s crying, I’m crying. He only had one hip nine months ago. Now he’s thanking his opponent and the crowd. I love him. No Hawkeye/VAR drama either. I still love it, but football has a lot to learn.”71 min “He’s only gone and done it, hasn’t he?” says Simon McMahon. “Andy Murray won! He bloomin’ well won! A set and a break down, and he still won. He’s crying, I’m crying. He only had one hip nine months ago. Now he’s thanking his opponent and the crowd. I love him. No Hawkeye/VAR drama either. I still love it, but football has a lot to learn.”
Ya dancer!Ya dancer!
70 min Fabinho is booked for a foul on the breaking James.70 min Fabinho is booked for a foul on the breaking James.
69 min Mo Salah is having a sensational game.69 min Mo Salah is having a sensational game.
67 min Rashford almost grabs a second on the break. Pereira found him on the left with a good crossfield pass, and he waited for James to make an off-the-ball run from centre to left. Rashford used James by not using him, cutting inside Matip before drilling a low shot just wide from 25 yards. Alisson had it covered but it was well struck.67 min Rashford almost grabs a second on the break. Pereira found him on the left with a good crossfield pass, and he waited for James to make an off-the-ball run from centre to left. Rashford used James by not using him, cutting inside Matip before drilling a low shot just wide from 25 yards. Alisson had it covered but it was well struck.
64 min Oxlade-Chamberlain drags a shot wide from 20 yards. It’s all Liverpool now, working the ball from side to side as they look for an opening. United, who started with such intensity, are starting to look slightly weary.64 min Oxlade-Chamberlain drags a shot wide from 20 yards. It’s all Liverpool now, working the ball from side to side as they look for an opening. United, who started with such intensity, are starting to look slightly weary.
63 min “I simply can’t believe you’re allowing your outrageous pro-United bias to show, even going as far as to report a 1-0 scoreline,” sniffs Matt Dony. “We all saw the build-up. It’s supposed to be a walk-over. Liverpool must be winning. Surely. #BakowskiIn.”63 min “I simply can’t believe you’re allowing your outrageous pro-United bias to show, even going as far as to report a 1-0 scoreline,” sniffs Matt Dony. “We all saw the build-up. It’s supposed to be a walk-over. Liverpool must be winning. Surely. #BakowskiIn.”
62 min That tactical change from Solskjaer was a switch from 3-4-1-2 to 3-5-2, with Pereira moving a bit deeper. It’s been an interesting game tactically.62 min That tactical change from Solskjaer was a switch from 3-4-1-2 to 3-5-2, with Pereira moving a bit deeper. It’s been an interesting game tactically.
61 min For the first time in the match, Liverpool are being allowed more time on the ball in deeper positions. Robertson’s low cross goes right across the face of goal before being cleared by Young. United can’t get out, and it might soon be time for Anthony Martial.61 min For the first time in the match, Liverpool are being allowed more time on the ball in deeper positions. Robertson’s low cross goes right across the face of goal before being cleared by Young. United can’t get out, and it might soon be time for Anthony Martial.
60 min Liverpool bring on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Divock Origi. That looks like a switch to 4-4-2, with Oxlade-Chamberlain left and Mane and Firmino up front. James is okay to continue.60 min Liverpool bring on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Divock Origi. That looks like a switch to 4-4-2, with Oxlade-Chamberlain left and Mane and Firmino up front. James is okay to continue.
59 min James is having a concussion test. The break in play allows Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the chance to give some tactical advice to Rashford.59 min James is having a concussion test. The break in play allows Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the chance to give some tactical advice to Rashford.
57 min James is down again, having been whacked by Fabinho, but Liverpool play on. After about 40 seconds, Matip kicks the ball out of play and gets a minor rollocking from Jordan Henderson.57 min James is down again, having been whacked by Fabinho, but Liverpool play on. After about 40 seconds, Matip kicks the ball out of play and gets a minor rollocking from Jordan Henderson.
56 min This is a good spell for Liverpool, their best of the match. Origi loses McTominay and hits a fierce shot that is blocked by Rojo. United have struggled to get out in the last few minutes.56 min This is a good spell for Liverpool, their best of the match. Origi loses McTominay and hits a fierce shot that is blocked by Rojo. United have struggled to get out in the last few minutes.
52 min Liverpool look slightly better since half-time, though it is still a very scruffy game. That suits United. Rashford, after a listless start, is having a minor stormer.52 min Liverpool look slightly better since half-time, though it is still a very scruffy game. That suits United. Rashford, after a listless start, is having a minor stormer.
51 min “I had a friend once who ‘died in the wool’,” says Mac Millings. “Heart attack while mid-intim [that’ll do – Smyth].”51 min “I had a friend once who ‘died in the wool’,” says Mac Millings. “Heart attack while mid-intim [that’ll do – Smyth].”
50 min James is flattened by a firm but fair tackle from van Dijk. He looks really groggy, although it’s not a head injury this time; he’s been winded.50 min James is flattened by a firm but fair tackle from van Dijk. He looks really groggy, although it’s not a head injury this time; he’s been winded.
49 min “In old money Mane’s goal would have stood,” says Niall Mullen. “In new money it was correctly disallowed. I hate new money.”49 min “In old money Mane’s goal would have stood,” says Niall Mullen. “In new money it was correctly disallowed. I hate new money.”
48 min Liverpool have switched to a 4-2-3-1: Henderson right, Mane left and Firmino behind Origi.48 min Liverpool have switched to a 4-2-3-1: Henderson right, Mane left and Firmino behind Origi.
47 min Henderson’s grossly overhit cross is retrieved by the absurd Robertson, who keeps the ball in play Steve McMahon-style - okay, not quite as spectacularly as that - and then whips in a very good cross that is headed away.47 min Henderson’s grossly overhit cross is retrieved by the absurd Robertson, who keeps the ball in play Steve McMahon-style - okay, not quite as spectacularly as that - and then whips in a very good cross that is headed away.
47 min “Surely,” says Sean Doyle, “there’s someone over at Guardian Towers who isn’t a died in wool Man Utd fan to do an unbiased MBM.”
Fraid not. Manchester Guardian, innit. Seriously, though, to which bits do you object?
46 min Peep peep! Liverpool begin the second half.
“Honestly so so sick of the complaining about VAR,” writes Cnoyes. “Get over it. It was NOT a foul on Origi, and it was a handball on Mané. Justice was served. Stop whinging.”
Thanks for clearing that up.
“Those two VAR decisions are entirely consistent with how it’s been used all season,” says Oliver Atkinson. “When there’s something vaguely debatable like a foul they don’t want to overturn the original decision, when there’s something 100% quantifiable like handball or an offside they will overturn it. This may not be right, but it’s consistent.”
Yes, on reflection I think you’re right. To some it was clear and obvious, to others Origi made a meal of the contact and had lost the ball. The problem is with the protocol. God, I am so, so bored of talking about VAR.
VAR department “Elated as I am that the goal was given, VAR is driving me absolutely up the wall,” says Matthew Richman. “The letdown of having to wait for a few guys in a trailer to watch TV absolutely kills the celebration. I’ve been let down by terrible calls before and I understand the arguments for, but I’m wondering if the obsession with a fairness has finally crossed the line.”
The main argument for VAR was that it would remove a sense of injustice from football. In fact, it has increased it. I would get rid of it, but there’s about as much chance of that as there is of somebody putting the internet back in its box.
Mane’s ‘goal’ A few of you have written to say it should have been given because his hand was not in an unnatural position. But the new law says that all goals will be disallowed if the ball hits the scorer’s hand, regardless of context, in the build-up.
Peep peep! Manchester United deservedly lead, although Marcus Rashford’s goal should probably have been disallowed by VAR. Liverpool have been very poor by their stratospheric standards, and so far have been outfought and outthought. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 3-4-1-2 system, with split strikers, has worked brilliantly. The manner in which Jurgen Klopp ran straight down the touchline suggests they will play far better in the second half.
45+1 min Pereira wins a corner after a slick move involving James and the increasingly superb Rashford.
45 min There will be one minute of added time.
NO GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool There’s no argument with this one. The ball hit Mane’s hand as he controlled a long ball forward. The rest was excellent; he muscled Lindelof aside and slid the ball past de Gea.
Yes, it’s handball, so this will be disallowed.
Mane equalises and now United are appealing for handball!
42 min The more you see the replay of the goal, the more it looks like a - yep - clear and obvious foul on Origi.
41 min For all the occasional frustrations of watching Marcus Rashford, his big-game record is outstanding.
39 min In accordance with the current VAR protocol, it was the right decision to award the goal, but I also think eight out of 10 neutrals would say that was a foul on Origi.
The goal itself was lovely. James ran into space down the right and curled a brilliant pass/cross between the keeper and defenders. Rashford lost Matip with a beautiful double-run, shaping to move towards the near post before pulling in the opposite direction, and forced the bouncing ball past Alisson from close range.
GOAL GIVEN!
Jurgen Klopp is fuming. It looked like a foul from Lindelof on Origi, but it didn’t pass the clear-and-obvious test.
I think this will be disallowed.
Rashford gives United the lead but Liverpool think there was a foul in the build-up!
36 min De Gea makes a better save from Firmino’s header, but he’d been flagged offside.
34 min De Gea makes a good save from Firmino after a smart break from Liverpool. Matip swept a fine long pass out to Mane on the right. He kept the ball in, charged down the wing and then cut the ball back perfectly for Firmino to strike first time on the run from 15 yards. He didn’t really get hold of it, however, and de Gea plunged to his right to make an ultimately comfortable save.
32 min As with Everton yesterday, United’s performance suggests the manager certainly hasn’t lost the dressing-room.
31 min Young goes down after taking Henderson’s hand in his face. It was accidental.
30 min Henderson’s flat cross is volleyed wide from 12 yards by the stretching Firmino. It was a quarter-chance at best.
29 min Wan-Bissaka is having a terrific game. Whatever happens at United in the next few years, and all bets are off, it should be a long time before they need to scout another right-back, never mind 800.
28 min A brilliant cross from Wan-Bissaka is serenely cleared by van Dijk at the near post. That was a vital bit of defending.
27 min Rashford, on the left, zips away from Henderson and then Matip in the area, only to mistime his attempted cutback towards James. It was a lovely run, though, and he’s looked sharp in the last 10 minutes. United are playing with split strikers, as they did to good effect when Solskjaer was caretaker manager.
25 min McTominay takes matters into his hands, marauding forward from midfield before hitting a low shot from 25 yards that is comfortably saved by Alisson. It was a good run but a fairly tame shot.
25 min The game is too important to feel boring, but if this was Mansfield v Swindon we’d be calling it a stinker.
24 min “Hi Rob,” says Julian Smith. “I stumbled across this today. Great doc about the history of the rivalry between these two great cities and the mutual respect that we hopefully now acknowledge between each other (grudgingly no doubt). We’re closer than either side would now care to admit. Of course, you won’t have a chance to watch while there’s so much action going on but Merseyside/GM reds should appreciate it (even though it’s an LFCTV production).”
It’s interesting that nobody (as far as I’m aware) has written a book about the rivalry. There are plenty, for example, on Barcelona and Real Madrid, though I realise that’s a bigger, broader rivalry.