Liverpool fluff their lines again to drop points in the title race

Jurgen Klopp couldn't hide his frustration and disappointment as Liverpool squandered numerous chances at Old Trafford, dropping two points in the process, to leave Arsenal top of the table with just seven games remaining.

• Jurgen Klopp makes three changes from the team that beat Sheffield United on Thursday
• Endo, Robertson, and Quansah replace Gomez, Gravenberch and Konate
• The game starts in chaotic fashion with both teams wasting chances
• Liverpool take the lead on 23 minutes when Luis Diaz volleys in from close range after Nunez flicks on a corner
• Liverpool create plenty of chances but fail to add a second
• Diaz, Nunez, Salah, and Bradley all waste great chances 
• HALF-TIME - Manchester United 0 - 1 Liverpool
• Liverpool continues to squander chances before Jarell Quansah gives the ball away on the halfway line, with Fernandes hitting a first-time shot into an empty net
•  Mainoo then gives United a shock lead midway through the second half
• Harvey Elliott wins Liverpool a penalty after a rash challenge from Wan-Bissaka in the area
• Mo Salah cooly converts the penalty to draw Liverpool level
• Liverpool piled on the pressure but failed to convert further chances with the game ending 2 - 2
• FULL-TIME - Manchester United 2 - 2 Liverpool

Match Summary

After City and Arsenal's victories yesterday, Liverpool went into today's game knowing that only a win would see them return to the top of the table, but despite dominating possession, and having 29 shots, Liverpool were once again made to pay for not killing off the game, as United held them to a 2 - 2 draw at Old Trafford.

The result means Liverpool missed the chance to return to the top of the table, although they are level with Arsenal on 71 points, with just 7 games of the season remaining.  For Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, his side's performance was almost too much to bear, with assistant Pep Ljinders telling Klopp to calm down on several occasions, as Liverpool threatened to lose a game they should have won easily.

As has been the way with Liverpool recently, the Reds started poorly, with United thinking they had scored after 60 seconds, only for the off-side flag to come to Liverpool's rescue.  That chaotic start continued for the first 10 minutes, as United attacked at pace, with Liverpool looking to hit them on the counter.

Much like the FA Cup match a few weeks ago, Liverpool grew into the game, dominating midfield and slicing through United at will, and they were eventually rewarded in the 23rd minute when Luis Diaz volleyed in from 8 yards after a corner was flicked on by Darwin Nunez.

As the half wore on, Liverpool continued to dominate possession, creating chances at will, but failing to convert any of those chances, with Jurgen Klopp becoming more frustrated on the sidelines.  The half ended with Liverpool 1 - 0 up, but it felt like the Reds had wasted an opportunity to kill off the game, and those fears were to be realised just five minutes into the second half when Jarell Quansah gave away possession, with Bruno Fernandes expertly finishing from inside the centre circle, with Kelleher out of position, and unable to reach the ball.

That was the cue for the Old Trafford crowd to come to life, and they had further cause for celebration 15 minutes later when youngster Kobbie Mainoo curled United in front, against the run of play.

For Jurgen Klopp and the travelling Liverpool fans, there was a horrible sense of deja vu, as the game looked to be slipping away from Liverpool, just as it had in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals a few weeks ago.  However, the introduction of Harvey Elliott gave Liverpool a renewed sense of calm, as the youngster linked up well with Salah and Gomez down the right, picking his passes and driving Liverpool forward.  And one such attack down the right led to Liverpool's equaliser, as Elliott and Salah combined, with United defender Wan-Bissaka chopping down Elliott to give Liverpool the chance to score from the spot.  Mo Salah calmly stepped up and dispatched the penalty, saving Liverpool's blushes, and earning them a point.

Liverpool vs Manchester United match stats

Possession
Manchester United 38% - 62% Liverpool

Total Shots
Manchester United 9 - 28 Liverpool

Shots on Target
Manchester United 5 - 7 Liverpool

Corners
Manchester United 6 - 11 Liverpool

Fouls
Manchester United 9 - 10 Liverpool

Man of the Match

Harvey Elliott- 8/10 - The coolest player on the pitch when he came on as a substitute, winning the penalty and driving Liverpool forward whenever he had the ball.  Elliott has to start the next match.

What's Next

Liverpool returns to European action next week when Atalanta travels to Anfield for the first leg of the Europa League Quarter Finals.

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