It was never going to be easy heading to Old Trafford to take on Man United in the midst of a tight title race. No matter how their form is, Erik ten Hag’s team are always likely to raise their game against Liverpool.
And so it proved for the second time in three weeks. Again, The Reds came away from Salford with a feeling that they’d just shot themselves in the foot.
The recriminations have been ongoing ever since the final whistle went. Jurgen Klopp’s team selection has been criticised by some, with suggestions that Ibrahima Konate should have played instead of Jarell Quansah in defence.
But, whatever the disappointment, at least Liverpool didn’t lose. Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave them a point that could yet prove useful. And now, with the game disappearing into the rear-view mirror, Klopp himself is looking on the brighter side.
To be fair to Jurgen, he wasn’t necessarily downbeat after the game. Perhaps doing his bit to keep spirits up with everything to play for in the Premier League, the manager took the result on the chin.
Quite rightly, Klopp suggested that he’d been happy with the amount of chances his team had created, even if they couldn’t take them.
Despite those words though, the 56-year-old did admit to TNT Sports yesterday that he had seen the match as a case of two points dropped.
However, with perspective returning, Jurgen now sees it for what it probably is – one point gained.
“The United game. Look, it’s strange times,” says the German. “We go to United in the last three weeks twice, play two great games and just don’t win it. One we lose [in the FA Cup]! It’s crazy, but it happened, that’s how football is. And then the next game; we got a point.
“We would have been in the race even if we had lost there,” he added. “It’s possible. It’s not a given that all the other teams win all their games. After the game, it probably felt more like we lost two [points]. Now, it’s definitely a point we gained.”
After tonight’s quarter-final first-leg against Atalanta, Liverpool are back in Premier League action at the weekend.
This time, the Reds don’t have to wait for both of their title rivals to play before they take to the field. Man City go first again, at home to Luton Town on Saturday afternoon.
But Liverpool then have the chance to put pressure on Arsenal, their kick-off of 2pm on Sunday before the Gunners 4.30pm start the same day.
At home to Crystal Palace, you’d hope that the Reds would be in for a more comfortable afternoon. One thing is clear though, points dropped against the Eagles could not be spun into a positive story. It’s a must win at Anfield.
