Liverpool bolstered their Champions League bid in outstanding fashion as they came from behind to beat Manchester United, 4-2, at Old Trafford on Thursday. A thrilling contest between two sides shorn of key defenders was riven with errors and sparkling attack football but ended with Jurgen Klopp's side moving up to fifth, four points off the top four with a game in hand. With Leicester and Chelsea due to play each other next week, Liverpool are suddenly well-placed to return to the Champions League.
The Reds looked to have a mountain to climb early on in the game when Bruno Fernandes' fearsome volley deflected off Nathaniel Phillips outstretched leg but they responded in exceptional fashion. Though they were denied a penalty by VAR when Eric Bailly clattered into Phillips, their equalizer came soon after with the center back at the heart of proceedings, flicking a corner into the path of Diogo Jota to draw Liverpool level.
Set pieces were proving to be United's weak point and Roberto Firmino converted Alexander-Arnold's free-kick from the right flank to give the visitors the lead just before the interval at Old Trafford.
When the Brazilian tapped home a third early in the second half United looked to be destined for a second defeat in three days following their loss to Leicester City. However the introduction of Mason Greenwood brought attacking impetus to expose Liverpool's inexperienced backline; Marcus Rashford would soon be darting through the defense and rolling a left-footed finish past Alisson to halve the deficit.
United dominated possession in the closing stages but struggled to craft clear-cut efforts and were undone on the counter when Fabinho won the ball in midfield and substitute Curtis Jones slipped the ball on for Mohamed Salah to run in behind and score the goal that earned Liverpool their first win at Old Trafford since March 2014.
Here are two key takeaways and a look at notable performances:
Pressure brings Liverpool back to their best
For a moment it looked like the story of the season would be rewritten in microcosm for Jurgen Klopp's side. Punished brutally for the string of defensive injuries that have dogged their title defense, their bid for a top-four berth looked to be faltering. The pressure was mounting but Liverpool rose superbly to the occasion.
Never mind that it was Phillips and Rhys Williams behind them, Andrew Robertson and Alexander-Arnold would bomb on like they had Virgil van Dijk to bail them out. The former has looked a shadow of himself this season but his interplay with Jota was too much for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, was prepared to take the risk of leaving the back gate unlocked for Paul Pogba. In attacking terms he was as good as on any occasion in Liverpool's march to glory over recent years. By halftime United had created five chances. Alexander-Arnold had created as many all by himself, including the brilliant cross to the back post that Roberto Firmino headed into an empty net. It should have been his second assist for the Brazilian, who passed up a fine shooting opportunity early on to try to thread a pass to Jota through Eric Bailly and ended up claiming for a spurious penalty.
Jota was his impudent and fearless best. Every time the ball came his way he immediately looked to be turning to goal and commit opponents. The goal the Portugal international eventually flicked in from a corner only came about because of a vicious volley on the spin that very nearly flew in above Dean Henderson. With Mohamed Salah explosive on the counter-attack and the midfield trio snapping into action – Thiago forcing Fred into a clumsy pass that led to Firmino's second -- whenever the ball was lost this felt far more like Liverpool at their best.
Maguire's absence heightens United set piece woes
If one were after further similarities between tonight's Liverpool and Klopp's side at their very best then the danger they posed at set pieces. Couple that with a United defense that looked all at sea without Harry Maguire's organizing presence.
Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof had not started a Premier League game together since April 2019. It showed. Set pieces have never been a strength of United – only Leeds have conceded more goals from them this season – but every time the ball went into the home box from a dead ball chaos ensued.
VAR might have denied Liverpool a penalty when Phillips was felled in the box but the fact Bailly got the ball before the man did not mean it was not a rash challenge from a corner. The Ivory Coast center-back was asleep at the wheel when Jota was lurking in the penalty area to flick in the equalizer. Later on in the first half it was Pogba who was found wanting, seemingly having no idea that Firmino was lurking behind him to head home.
Even away from set pieces United looked skittish with the ball at their feet and left cavernous spaces through the middle of their back four that Firmino could charge through. Fred was hardly an able shield, clumsy in possession and a visible trigger for Liverpool's press.
Would Maguire have solved all these issues if he weren't sidelined with an ankle ligament injury? Perhaps not, on this form Liverpool would have been a test for any defender. But this was perhaps the most effective argument in favor of the $110 million United paid for him two years ago. He may not always look to be a defender worthy of quite such an exorbitant sum but his absence was a clear indication of his value to Solskjaer's cause.
Notable performances
Trent Alexander-Arnold: An outstanding creative performance from the right back in front of England manager Gareth Southgate. He might leave gaps for opponents down the left but that is worth it for a player with the range and vision to pick apart defenses from deep. This was the performance of a world-class creative player. Rating: 9
Fred: There are certainly occasions when the Brazilian can look effective but tonight Fred was a liability in a key position for United. He was slow on the ball, clumsy in tackles and made a critical error to allow Liverpool to go 3-1 up. Rating: 3
Nathaniel Phillips: A true Jekyll and Hyde performance, Phillips was guilty of basic defensive errors in the game's opening goal as he backed off Fernandes and stuck a loose leg out rather than shuffle across to get his body behind the effort. Still at the other end he was something of a wrecking ball in attack, nearly winning a penalty and assisting Jota. Rating: 5
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May 14, 2021 at 05:11AM
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Manchester United vs. Liverpool score: Jurgen Klopp's side ignites Champions League push with thrilling win - CBSSports.com
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