EPL Day 9: Lallana pull Liverpool through after a late equalizer at Old Trafford; Man United 1 – 1 Liverpool

Liverpool failed to win for the first time in 18 Premier League games, since a goalless draw with Everton in March.

The Reds shared the spoils at Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw with the Reds Devils on Sunday. Manchester United registered their second lowest possession figure (32.1%) in a Premier League home match since 2003-04, second only to a 32.06% figure also against Liverpool in March 2018.

 

Liverpool struggled in the first minutes to exert authority on the game giving Manchester United more room to operate with long passes.  Van Dijk was taken out of the game from two cute flicks, first from Rashford and then from James, but with Wan-Bissaka available to his right, Pereira went alone and dragged his shot tepidly from outside the box into the gloves of Alisson.

 

 

Liverpool’s early chance to take the lead was saved as United in their eagerness to get out to Wijnaldum saw the Dutchman glide past first McTominay and then Fred but the shot was easily gathered by De Gea in 13-minute.

Manchester United begun working out a few passes around hoping to hit the Reds. They progressively took over possession with Wan Bissaka driving down the right with pace. He floated in a few crosses into the Liverpool yard but Matic and Van Dijk’s composure cleared the threat from the home side.

 

 

Klopp's men came alive in the 34-minute. Matip sent Mane on his way down the right and into acres of space and he tried to keep the ball in play. The Senegalese International looked up and found Firmino on the penalty spot but his teammate could not direct the ball into the corner as De Gea dive to his right and made a comfortable save.

Marcus Rashford gave Manchester United a shocking lead in the 37-minute.

 

 

Daniel James put in the perfect cross and Marcus Rashford finished from close range having got behind Virgil van Dijk. Alisson had no chance to prevent that from going in. VAR looked at the goal but it looked like the United defender caught the striker before there was a slightly theatrical fall.

 

 

That goal lifted United as their intensity developed in the closing minutes of the first half. Liverpool looked nervous and tried to steady the game but still lacked the quickness to push on the game on their behalf. They really made Manchester United play like Manchester United.

Sadio Mane pulled the results level a minute to half time but VAR ruled it out.

 

 

Liverpool were not of themselves with one or two players haven looked anxious as referee Martin Atkinson blew his whistle to end the opening 45 minutes that eventually was full of incident.

Jordan Henderson was moved out on the right and it looked more like a 4-3-1-2 from the Premier League leaders with Origi more central alongside Mane and Firmino just playing behind them.

 

 

Klopp turned to his bench and beckoned Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to get ready in the 59-minute. He took the place of Origi as Klopp adapted to a 4-4-2 for Liverpool with the Ox going left and Henderson wider on the right.

Oxlade-Chamberlain immediately looked to make an impact but he dragged his right-foot shot on the turn harmlessly wide. Liverpool grew stronger after the change by Klopp. It was a moment that was always going to come, and Manchester United were indeed expecting that judging from their defensive approach.

 

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McTominay broke up the play and unleashed Pereira down the right in the 67th. He picked out Rashford on the opposite flank and the forwards caught inside Matip with the space opening up for him but his right-foot shot did not trouble Alisson.

Lallana later took the place of Captain Jordan Henderson.

 

 

Young was late on Lallana as another free kick in a good position was presented to Alexander-Arnold. This time he did manage to find the head of Firmino but the header fell into the ground and into the gloves of De Gea.

 

 

Liverpool had their equalizer through Adam Lallana five minutes to full time. Keita brought Robertson onto the ball down the left, and it was his low cross that was converted by Adam Lallana at the far post.

The Reds kicked the grounds and searched for a winner. Five minutes was added on by the forth referee but it was not enough to help the Reds maintain their winning streak.