Liverpool came out on the losing side of a seven-goal thriller at Old Trafford in the quarter-final of the FA Cup
Liverpool’s first match since Jurgen Klopp’s surprise resignation announcement came at Anfield in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Norwich City. Klopp’s side proved to be convincing 5-2 winners in that tie – which ultimately led them to Old Trafford in the quarter-final.
Mohamed Salah started alongside Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez in attack. Salah has been prolific at Old Trafford, scoring in his last four appearances at the ground, including his hat-trick in Liverpool’s 5-0 win back in October 2021.
It wouldn’t be the dream start for the Reds, however, as Scott McTominay pounced from close range after Caoimhin Kelleger made an initial save from Alejandro Garnacho.
Midfield revelation Wataru Endo thought he levelled the game with his tidy finish in the 38th minute, but VAR deemed Salah to be offside before he passed to the Japanese international.
Liverpool would find their equaliser just six minutes later as Alexis Mac Allister finished well in front of the Stretford end at Old Trafford. Jarell Quansah unleashed his inner Joel Matip-style run on goal before passing to Nunez, who laid the ball off to Mac Allister on the edge of the box.
Moments later, Salah scored to put the Reds ahead seconds before the interval. Liverpool won the ball back high up the pitch through Joe Gomez who was able to find Luis Diaz on the edge of the box. The Colombian found Nunez overlapping, who had an effort saved, but Salah was there on the rebound to score in off the post.
It seemed like a training session for Liverpool for the majority of the second half, but they weren’t clinical enough to finish the game off. Chance after chance and Manchester United found a way to stay in the tie.
In the closing stages of the match, substitute Antony found the back of the net for the hosts to level the match and take it to extra-time. Tired legs from Klopp’s team saw the match creep away from them.
Despite spending extra-time on the backfoot, Harvey Elliott was able to find a way to score through a deflected shot edging past Andre Onana in the United net. There were just 15 minutes for the Reds to hold on.
They wouldn’t hold on, however, as Marcus Rashford scored with eight minutes left on the clock to take this incredible Cup match to 3-3. The first ever penalty shootout between these two historic rivals was about to take place.
But Amad Diallo didn’t fancy that kind of drama. Instead, he went on to score the winning goal for the home side in the 120+1st minute. It was devastating for Klopp and the 9,000 fans who travelled up.
Diallo would get sent off after taking his shirt off to celebrate – earning himself a second yellow card. I’m not too sure if he’ll care too much.
A team that has been incredible all season had been undone in the final stages of this FA Cup match. Klopp’s final match in this competition as Liverpool manager. Any dreams of a quadruple-winning season have evaded.
The Reds are, of course, still in with a shout of lifting two more trophies this season as they continue their fight for the Premier League title against Manchester City and Arsenal, while also competing in the quarter-final stages of the Europa League.
Next is the dreaded international break, where Klopp will be hoping all of his star players arrive back at Anfield happy, healthy and ready to give the final push, the final two months of his time at Liverpool with everything they’ve got.
It’s Brighton & Hove Albion next for Liverpool, who come up to Anfield on Sunday, 31 March. Kick-off is at 2pm.
Manchester United team: Onana, Wan-Bissaka (Maguire 71), Varane (Diallo 85), Lindelof (Mount 105), Dalot, McTominay, Mainoo (Eriksen 80), Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund (Antony 71).
Liverpool team: Kelleher, Gomez (Tsimikas 101), Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson (Bradley 76), Mac Allister, Endo Szoboszlai (Elliott 72), Salah (Gakpo 77), Nunez, Diaz (Clark 114).
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