Liverpool slip to second despite Salah salvaging draw against Man United
Sports Desk (EFE) – Mohamed Salah became the first visitor to score in four consecutive games at Old Trafford, but that could help Liverpool only avoid a defeat in the English Premier League against their arch-foes Manchester United on Sunday.
The 2-2 draw in Manchester threw the league further open, relegating Liverpool to second place and keeping Arsenal on top of the table on goal difference, with both teams securing 71 points from 31 matches.
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Holders Manchester City, winners against Crystal Palace 2-4 in the game week, remain hot on the heels with 70 points from an equal number of matches, keeping all three contenders still optimistic about their chances.
Tottenham Hotspurs took advantage of Aston Villa’s 3-3 draw against Brentford to leapfrog the Birmingham side into the fourth Champions League qualification spot with a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest.
In the game week, all eyes were on Old Trafford, where United started bright but faded soon to allow Liverpool to control the first half and lead 1-0 at the break thanks to Luis Diaz’s 23rd-minute strike.
Andy Robertson delivered the corner to the head of Darwin Nunez for a flick over the heads of defenders towards Diaz, who, unguarded at the back, stabbed home from close range.
United, who had an early goal from Alejandro Garnacho ruled out for offside, returned stronger in the second half as Bruno Fernandes equalized with an audacious strike from halfway after receiving a misplaced pass from Jarell Quansah.
United were soon in the lead after 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo struck into the top corner with a curling effort from inside the box that put the hosts on course for a shock win, only for Salah to dampen their celebrations with his late penalty.
Six minutes from time, Wan-Bissaka went to the ground in an attempt to steal the ball away from substitute Harvey Elliott inside the box, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Salah drew Liverpool level, coolly converting the goal.
“We got the penalty and scored an equalizer—and could have scored more before or after,” said Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp.
“Two-two, I am not over the moon about it, I don’t think it’s the best result I’ve ever seen, but I am fine.”
In London, Tottenham took the lead courtesy of a Murillo own goal with just 15 minutes gone but were pegged back after Chris Wood equalized for Forest by converting Anthony Elanga’s cross in the 27th minute.
But a strong showing in the second half secured Tottenham a win as defensive duo Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro scored for the side.
Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom side Sheffield United as Oli McBurnie scored an equalizer in added time after Jayden Bogle canceled out Thiago Silva’s goal and Noni Madueke put the visitors ahead again. EFE