The Reds salvaged a point courtesy to Mohamed Salah’s penalty, but they will be punishing themselves for failing to finish off a game they dominated.

Liverpool squandered a golden opportunity to reclaim the Premier League lead after drawing 2-2 with poor Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The Reds had completely dominated the first half and rightly led through Luis Diaz, but there was always the worry that they would be punished for their excesses – and so it proved.

Jarell Quansah gifted the home side an equaliser with a poorly misjudged ball just inside his own half, which Bruno Fernandes capitalised on by beating the stranded Caoimhin Kelleher with a curving effort from distance.

United then scored another spectacular goal, this time from Kobbie Mainoo, leaving Jurgen Klopp stunned. However, the German was able to help his side salvage a draw when one of his substitutes, Harvey Elliott, drew a foul from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, allowing an otherwise wasteful Mohamed Salah to earn Liverpool a point, bringing them level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table – but trailing the Gunners on goal difference.

GOAL ranks all of the Reds on display on another difficult afternoon at Old Trafford…

Virgil Van Dijk Manchester United Liverpool Premier League 2023–24Getty: Goalkeeper and Defense.

Caoimhin Kelleher (6/10):

In the first half, he was given nothing but to throw the ball to his defenders before being caught in no man’s land due to Quansah’s horrendous blunder and then having no chance on Mainoo’s exquisite strike.

Conor Bradley (5/10):

He was booked early on for a rash push on Rashford and should have returned the ball to Szoboszlai after finding space in the area soon before the break. Full of running as usual, but properly refilled shortly after the hour.

Jarell Quansah(4/10):

He was given the nod to start alongside Van Dijk ahead of Konate and seemed extremely comfortable until he made an unnecessary and horrifically poor ball that Fernandes took advantage of.

Virgil Van Dijk (6/10):

Some incredibly calm interventions in the back, but they had very little to do. He was powerless to stop his team from failing to keep a clean sheet yet again.

Andy Robertson (6/10):

As always, a fantastic outlet down the left wing, resulting in a brilliant cut-back that Szoboszlai squandered – but his corner led to Liverpool breaking the deadlock.

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

Was critical to Liverpool’s first-half dominance with his ball winning and distribution, and also assisted the Reds in regaining control after surrendering two fast goals.

Wataru Endo (5/10):

He wasn’t as efficient as usual. Caught in possession at times, he gave away a couple free kicks with mistimed tackles before being replaced as Liverpool lost control of the game.

Dominik Szoboszlai 7/10:

A terrific early effort was excellently saved by Onana – one of four shots inside the first 20 minutes – and Salah had a wonderful chance, but he ran out of steam halfway through the second half.

Darwin Nunez Luis Diaz Manchester United Liverpool Premier League 2023–24Getty attack by Mohamed Salah (6/10):

Drew a couple of simple stops from Onana with attempts from the edge of the box, but left Klopp fuming after blazing over from 10 yards out shortly before the break. An even worse error came in the second half, but he held his composure to square the score from the penalty spot.

Darwin Nunez (6/10):

After a usual hardworking start, he set up the opener with a near-post flick-on, but he squandered a chance at the back post shortly after United equalised.

Luis Diaz (6/10):

He opened the scoring by volleying from close range and created other opportunities through his dribbling and beautiful touches.

Jurgen Klopp Wataru Endo Alexis Mac Allister, Manchester United Liverpool Premier League 2023-24.Getty Subs and Manager: Curtis Jones (5/10).

He took over in midfield from Szoboszlai and received a card for attempting to put himself about.

Joe Gomez(6/10):

Came on for Bradley and provided some stability down the right side.

Harvey Elliott(7/10):

With little over 20 minutes remaining, he replaced Endo and made another significant contribution, winning the penalty from which Salah tied the score.

Cody Gakpo(5/10):

Replaced Nunez, but did not have a shot on goal.

Jurgen Klopp(7/10):

His final journey to Old Trafford as Liverpool manager was possibly his most frustrating. There was nothing he could do about his team’s inability to capitalize on opportunities, but his tweaks once again proved effective.