Liverpool saw their streak of seventeen straight Premier League wins come to an end. They managed to escape with a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford after Adam Lallana scored a late equalizer. Despite the draw, Liverpool remain six points clear of second-place Manchester City.
Liverpool neglected to record a record-equalling eighteenth straight Premier League win. Adam Lallana’s late equalizer spared Liverpool from a stun rout at Manchester United in a 1-1 draw. Liverpool move six clears of Manchester City at the highest point of the table.
In Manchester, Liverpool's attempt to set a new record of eighteen straight league wins was thwarted, though a late goal by Adam Lallana saved the reigning European champions from a shocking loss in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
A debatable goal from Marcus Rashford put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's gritty United side up 1-0 at the break. But their hopes for a vital victory vanished in the 85th minute when they left Lallana wide open at the back post to equalize.
Liverpool still hold a six-point cushion over Manchester City at the summit, but they will feel they let a chance slip to further demoralize a United team languishing in thirteenth, dangerously close to the relegation zone.
The two biggest names in English football arrived at the stadium in vastly different states of form. Nevertheless, United successfully executed the tactical adjustments requested by Solskjaer.
The absence of the injured Mohamed Salah was felt throughout the game, as Liverpool lacked his trademark pace and cunning. While Alisson Becker made his return after two months out with a calf injury, the Brazilian keeper had little to do as United preferred to sit deep and play on the counter.
To neutralize the threat of attacking full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, Solskjaer switched to a 3-5-2 formation. This move largely worked, limiting the league leaders to very few clear-cut chances.
Liverpool's most promising moment before halftime came via a Sadio Mane counter-attack, but Roberto Firmino's resulting shot was fired too directly at David de Gea.
After failing to score in the two games leading up to the international break, United finally found the net to take the lead, even if the goal was somewhat lucky to be allowed.
Victor Lindelof appeared to trip Divock Origi in midfield, but referee Martin Atkinson let play continue. United surged forward, and a precise cross from Daniel James found Rashford, who outmuscled Alisson to score. Jurgen Klopp was furious on the sidelines, but the goal stood after a VAR review.