Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool
A goal apiece, a point apiece and that was about right in what, historically, is the biggest game in English football.
With this, Liverpool sit six points clear at the Premier League summit but miss out on the chance to equal champions Manchester City record of 18 straight top flight wins.
Manchester United may be deflated at conceding a late equaliser but this was an improved performance compared to their most recent outings and their new- found resilience is something to build on.
Highlights of the game
Ultimately, Premier League highlights were few but, for drama, tension and, intensity, little else can match this spectacle and so it proved again.
There was also controversy but, in hindsight, one if not both decisions were correct.
Nine minutes before the break and United took the lead.
Victor Lindelof certainly caught Divock Origi but hardly enough to warrant the way the Belgian went to ground and play continued – a decision upheld by VAR – as Scott McTominay released the exciting Daniel James whose cross was perfect and bisected the Liverpool defence allowing Marcus Rashford to fire past the returning Alisson.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was furious but the goal stood and it continued Rashford’s fine record of averaging a Premier League goal against teams from the established top six.
VAR certainly got it right a minute before the break when Sadio Mane thought he had equalised only for it to be ruled out for a handball – albeit an accidental one.
Liverpool emerged for the second half feeling affronted and pushed the hosts back, although clear-cut chances were at a premium with United getting rare opportunities to counter and the lively James on the receiving end of some firm but largely fair challenges.
This SBOBET observer felt United needed a second to make the game safe and, while that was true, it was poor defending which led to the equaliser, although few could argue Liverpool’s play didn’t merit it when, five minutes from time, a ball from Andrew Robertson was missed by Lindelof and substitute Adam Lallana could not miss an open goal.
Liverpool needed another goal as they aimed to become just the fourth team to win their opening nine top-flight games, matching the Premier League record set by Chelsea in 2005.
While they didn’t achieve that, the Premier League betting odds continue to make the Merseysiders’ firm favourites for the title.
In contrast, United have made their worst start to a league campaign since 1986-87, the season in which manager Ron Atkinson was eventually replaced by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Changing times but, on the basis of this contest, honours even.
Key statistics
United are unbeaten in their last seven home games against Liverpool, including five league matches (won three, drawn three).
It is the Merseysiders’ longest winless run at Old Trafford in the top flight since a 10-match streak between 1991 and 2000.
United’s only defeat in their last 11 league games against Liverpool was last season’s 3-1 loss at Anfield.
Five of the seven most recent Premier League meetings have ended in draws (three of them 0-0) – only four of the previous 36 encounters finished level.
United are now just one short of becoming the first team to score 2,000 Premier League goals.
However, they have not scored more than once in any of their past 11 league and cup games – their worst such run since 2007.
The Red Devils have won just two of their last 14 league matches (drawn six, lost six).
United have earned just 18 points from 17 top-flight matches since Solskjaer was appointed on a permanent basis.
Liverpool have won just two of their last 13 league matches away to the other sides in the established top six.
No side has dropped more points from winning positions in the Premier League this season than United (eight, level with Aston Villa).
United had actually named their youngest ever starting XI for a Premier League match against Liverpool, with a combined average age of just 25 years and 38 days. However, an injury in the warm-up sustained by Axel Tuanzebe, who was replaced by Marcos Rojo, meant that team did not take to the field. Instead it was United’s youngest starting XI against Liverpool since October 1996.
Liverpool have missed the chance for an 18th consecutive league win to equal the top-flight record, set by Manchester City between August and December 2017.
What’s next?
It’s European combat for both these sides in midweek.
United make the long trip to Partizan Belgrade on Thursday (October 24), while Liverpool are in Champions League action in Belgium little under 24 hours earlier against Genk.
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