Old English rivals and the most decorated sides in English football Manchester United and Liverpool played out an entertaining 5th round F.A. Cup clash. It was a thrilling encounter, somewhat providing the kind of entertainment only witnessed in your favourite online casino and the Play Station games.
Dubbed the most eye-catching tie between the sides in recent times, hosts United had the last laugh, dubbing Liverpool out 3-2 on the night.
The match came less than a week after the two sides had played out a barren draw in a Premier League match at Anfield. Liverpool, who have had to field inexperienced players due to injuries to some of their best players took everything to United. It was United who drew first blood, though. Youngster Mason Greenwood was put through by the menacing Marcus Rashford to beat Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal.
The lead barely lasted 10 minutes as Mo Salah cleverly dinked a volley past United’s second-choice keeper Dean Henderson. The phenomenal Roberto Firmino will be credited with providing the assist for the Egyptian’s goal that saw Liverpool score their first goal of 2021.
Greenwood Reciprocates
Mason Greenwood then turned provider as he put Marcus Rashford through just after the break. It was Rashford’s 15th goal of the season in all competitions.
Salah was at it again, this time benefitting from James Milner’s creativity to put the match at 2-2. It was a balanced game, with each side daring to attack, but in the end, United proved superior on the night.
Influential Bruno Fernandes who had started on the bench replaced fellow summer recruit, Donny Van de Beek, on the 66th minute. Not much could be written about him on the night, except for his winning freekick that beat Allison. Liverpool centre-back Fabinho was adjudged to have fouled Uruguayan Edison Cavani just outside the box.
Fernandes stepped up to take the freekick, and he duly delivered, sending it to Allison’s right to put the tie beyond Liverpool.
Going into the clash, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had spoken something about his side’s confidence.
“Of course we go again, there is no doubt about that. When things don’t work out on the pitch as we want them to work out, then there is an issue.” Said Klopp.
“The issue is the things I tell the boys, I didn’t say it clear enough. I have to change the way I tell the boys. Confidence is something not naturally given. You have to build confidence. That’s why we have to mention the word but it is not disappeared. We have to work. That is what we do.”
Upturn of Fortunesa
United’s next assignment was a home tie against bottom side Sheffield United in the premier league. It was widely expected Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side would easily pull through to regain top position from Manchester City. Bookmakers were highly in United’s favour, but a shock 1-2 loss to Chris Wilder’s side saw United remain second on the standings.
Klopp’s side had a tricky away tie against Jose Mourinho’s Spurs. Liverpool emerged winners, beating the Londoners 3-1 on the night.
