RED MISSED
Klopp & Co had chance to steal a march in title race.. but lacked cutting edge against patched-up rivals
THIS was the chance for Liverpool to provide conclusive proof of their title credentials.
Instead, Jurgen Klopp’s subdued side posed more questions than answers, failing to take full advantage of an injury-ravaged Manchester United side and secure victory.
A draw away to their archrivals may have sent Liverpool back to the top of the table, a point ahead of champions Manchester City, with 11 games left.
But as they left Old Trafford, Klopp and his players will know deep down this was an opportunity missed, a chance to go three points clear and put daylight between themselves and City.
United were there for the taking, without influential duo Nemanja Matic and Anthony Martial, then forced to use their full quota of subs before half-time as a deluge of injuries struck.
But the visitors, strangely inhibited and without their usual marauding intent going forward, could not conjure a win and are losing their way as the pressure builds with a first league title in 29 years within sight.
One win in 12 away to the Premier League’s big six suggests Klopp’s men lack belief when it comes to the big occasion, while star-man Mo Salah was once again anonymous against United.
Salah has now played United four times and failed to register a goal or assist, while Sadio Mane failed to step up here, and Roberto Firmino’s afternoon was cut short by injury after half-an-hour.
Even without one member of their famed attacking trio, Liverpool should still have caused a patched-up United more problems than they did in the remaining hour, but they lacked conviction and a clinical edge when it mattered most.
That is what will concern Klopp most. While City have recovered from their Christmas wobble, with seven wins in their last eight league games, Liverpool are faltering with the finish line in sight, with three draws in their last four.
For United, against the backdrop of such a chronic injury pile-up in the first-half, it was a point gained, as caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stretched his unbeaten run in the Premier League.
First to drop was Ander Herrera, who had made a typically industrious start, only to exit after 20 minutes.
Next to follow him was fellow Spaniard Juan Mata, five minutes later, replaced by Jesse Lingard, who himself was forced off after falling awkwardly when through one-on-one with Alisson.
Lingard’s withdrawal, with Alexis Sanchez replacing him, meant United had used all three subs by the 43rd minute and were carrying a player in Marcus Rashford for the second half.
With Rashford struggling throughout, following a robust first-half challenge from Reds skipper Jordan Henderson, it looked to have become a question of hanging on for Solskjaer’s depleted side.
But their opponents seemed more determined not to lose the game than win it, with David de Gea untroubled, his defence keeping Liverpool at bay and hardly stretched.
The visitors were on top in the first-half, with United forced into a policy of containment, although the best chance of the game fell to the home side in the first-half.
Lingard found himself through on goal with only Alisson to beat, but the keeper (with Paul Pogba, left) was out quickly to rob the forward of the ball.
United had the ball in the net in the 75th minute, courtesy of Joel Matip, but the goal was disallowed after Chris Smalling, who provided the delivery, was correctly ruled offside.
So honours even but, for Liverpool, the gnawing feeling this may prove to be the day when they had the chance to take back control of the title race, only to lose their nerve and belief.