Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool - Mo Salah penalty rescues point for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds after Mainoo wondergoal

Mohamed Salah struck a late leveller for Liverpool at Old Trafford, but their Premier League title hopes suffered a blow following a pulsating 2-2 draw at Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp’s Merseysiders needed a victory to move back above leaders Arsenal following The Gunners’ triumph at Brighton on Saturday, but they once again came unstuck against their bitter rivals despite dominating for long periods.

United had an early goal from Alejandro Garnacho ruled out for offside before the visitors took charge of the first half. Dominik Szoboszlai and Salah both went close before Luis Diaz opened the scoring on 23 minutes when he hooked in Darwin Nunez’s flick-on from a right-wing corner.

Much to Klopp’s chagrin, Liverpool continued to waste chances to hammer home their dominance with 15 shots to the hosts' zero leaving the door ajar for a recovery similar to the one that saw United turn around the FA Cup tie three weeks earlier.

Indeed, the hosts were back in it on 50 minutes when Bruno Fernandes’ sumptuous long-range lob caught Caoimhin Kelleher off his line after a howler of a pass from Jarell Quansah.

United then stole in front through Kobbie Mainoo’s wonderful curler on 67 minutes, but the visitors avoided the disaster of defeat when Salah stroked home a spot kick six minutes from time.

The result means Arsenal remain top of the table, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference with seven matches to play.

Reigning champions Manchester City are a point further back in third, while United stay sixth and are 11 points adrift of fourth-place Aston Villa having played one game less.

Liverpool will now turn their attention to Thursday’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg with Atalanta prior to a Premier League clash at home to Crystal Palace next Sunday. United visit Bournemouth on Saturday.

Both Arsenal and Man City cranked up the heat on Klopp and co. heading into this encounter and, while this was a tough test on paper, the Merseyside club will feel this was two points dropped given the overall nature of the game.

The visitors were totally dominant but wasted chances to build a commanding lead and there was more than a sense of déjà vu to the recent FA Cup tie when a frantic second half saw United somehow grab two goals to take the lead.

Salah came to Liverpool’s rescue with a late penalty that could yet prove key as Arsenal lead at the summit via goal difference – but there's no doubt Klopp's men can't afford any further slip from here if they are to send him off into the sunset with another title under his arm.

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool). If the Argentine’s team-mates had shown the same level of composure and class on the ball, then Liverpool would have probably won convincingly. Remained ice cool during the chaos and was the key reason the visitors were the better side for long spells.

MAN UTD: Onana 8, Wan-Bissaka 6, Maguire 7, Kambwala 7, Dalot 7, Casemiro 7, Mainoo 8, Garnacho 7, Fernandes 8, Rashford 7, Hojlund 6. Subs: Antony 6, Amrabat n/a, Mount n/a.

LIVERPOOL: Kelleher 7, Bradley 7, Quansah 5, Van Dijk 7, Robertson 7, Mac Allister 8*, Endo 6, Szoboszlai 6, Salah 6, Nunez 6, Diaz 7. Subs: Gomez 7, Jones 7, Gakpo 7, Elliott 7.

03’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! The Merseysiders respond and Salah finds Szoboszlai free on the left but the midfielder's shot is brilliantly stopped by a big hand from Onana.

17’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Mac Allister feeds Robertson on the overlap and his pass picks out the arriving Szoboszlai who somehow guides wide from close-in.

23’ – GOAL! – Man United 0-1 Liverpool: (Diaz). Nunez flicks on a right-wing corner and Diaz is there to volley home. Awful defending from the hosts.

42’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Endo turns his man and plays Bradley away down the right. He cuts it back for Nunez who leaves it for Diaz, but the Colombian's goal-bound strike is deflected wide. Liverpool are wasting plenty of openings again here. Will United make them pay?

50’ – GOAL! – Man United 1-1 Liverpool: (Fernandes). That is a worldie of a finish from Fernandes who lobs Kelleher from long range after a howler of an error from Quansah.

67’ – GOAL! – Man United 2-1 Liverpool: (Mainoo). That's a stunning strike! Mainoo turns just inside the box and curls into the far corner. OT goes wild!

84’ – GOAL! – Man United 2-2 Liverpool: (Salah penalty). Nerves of steel! Salah steps up and coolly rolls home the spot kick as Onana dived the opposite way.

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