Liverpool beats United, keeps top-4 hopes alive
Roberto Firmino scored twice as Liverpool boosted its hopes of Champions League football next season with a 4-2 Premier League win at Manchester United on Thursday.
The fixture, which was re-arranged as fan protests 10 days ago led to the match being postponed, took place after a massive security operation foiled another attempt at disruption from protesters. After spending seven hours inside the ground having arrived early to avoid attempts to block its bus, United took a 10th-minute lead.
Bruno Fernandes’s shot was deflected past goalkeeper Alisson Becker by the outstretched leg of centre-back Nathaniel Phillips. Then, match referee Michael Oliver awarded Liverpool a penalty after an Eric Bailly challenge on Phillips but reversed his verdict as the VAR monitor showed the United defender playing the ball.
Liverpool did draw level in the 34th minute when Diogo Jota flicked in a low shot from Phillips and the visitor took the lead on the stroke of half-time, thanks to Firmino’s back-post header. The Brazilian striker extended Liverpool’s lead two minutes after the interval, courtesy of some sloppy play from the home team.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot was spilled out by goalkeeper Dean Henderson and Firmino slotted the ball home. Marcus Rashford pulled one back for United with a confident finish after a smart exchange with Edinson Cavani.
But as the host pushed forward in search of a leveller, Mohamed Salah wrapped up a positive night for Liverpool with a fine finish after a swift break. Following the result, Liverpool moved above West Ham United into fifth place on 60 points.
Jurgen Klopp’s side is four points behind Chelsea, which occupies the fourth and final Champions League slot, but has a game in hand on the London team. United remains second with 70 points from 36 matches.
Liverpool is 4 points behind Chelsea, which occupies the fourth and final Champions League slot, but has a game in hand
Real defeats Granada to stay alive in title race
Real Madrid stayed alive in the La Liga title race with a 4-1 away win over Granada on Thursday. Luka Modric (17’), Rodrygo (45+1’), Alvaro Odriozola (75’) and Karim Benzema (76’) netted once each for Real while Jorge Molina (71’) struck a consolation goal for Granada. With the victory, second-placed Real Madrid has 78 points from 36 matches, two less than leader Atletico Madrid, which defeated Real Sociedad 2-1 on Wednesday.