VAR from satisfactory but Liverpool salvage unbeaten run in last minutes
● Underdogs bite first as Rashford’s opening goal is allowed to stand
on Divock Origi in the build-up – frustration that only grew when what would have been an equaliser by Sadio Mane was cancelled out for handball.
Liverpool were missing injured Mohamed Salah but looked sharper after the break and salvaged a late point as Lallana ghosted in at the far post to turn home Andrew Robertson’s cross.
Klopp’s team now have a sixpoint lead at the top of the table after United failed to capitalise on a bright start built on their three-man back line.
Axel Tuanzebe’s warm-up injury led to Marcos Rojo being brought into an experimental defence that Liverpool failed to seriously test as United started on the front foot.
Andreas Pereira hassled diligently behind Rashford and James, whose movement and directness were causing Liverpool’s defence a headache, although returning Liverpool goalkeeperalissonbeckerhad precious little to deal with.
Scott Mctominay’s 25thminute effort was United’s first on target and easily stopped, with Klopp’s men soon settling.
Mane caused panic down the right, but Roberto Firmino’s meek strike allowed surprise starter David De Gea, injured playing for Spain only five days ago, to save comfortably, the United goalkeeper having to do far better when the Brazilian, this time offside, next got an attempt away.
But just as Liverpool looked likely to draw first blood, Rashford, pictured, had Old Trafford rocking to its foundations.
Lindelof robbed Origi of possession and United broke, with James superbly sending over a cross from the right that bamboozled Joel Matip and allowed Rashford to prod home from close range.
The home faithful erupted with joy as the Liverpool hordes fumed.
Incandescent that Lindelof was not pulled up for a foul on Origi, the visitors’ fury only grew when VAR gave the goal the green light.
Klopp was seething as chants of “Ole” echoed around the ground,buttheywerereplaced by Liverpool cheers in the 44th minute – temporarily.
Mane collected a raking ball under pressure from Lindelof and continued to make the United defender look foolish, before slotting past De Gea. Immediately United claimed handball and within a minute Martin Atkinson was told by VAR to cancel out the leveller.
The cheer inside the ground was nearly as loud as for Rashford’s opener and Klopp ran down the touchline at halftime as he looked to change the dynamics.
Liverpool certainly returned with renewed hunger and intensity, but they found United hard to break down.
Alex Oxlade-chamberlain dragged wide shortly after his introduction, but United were digging deep and sitting back.
Rashford fired just wide of Alisson’s goal after all too easily darting past Matip, and Fred twice flashed wide as the hosts enjoyed brief respite from soaking up pressure.
But Liverpool struck five minutes from time. Andrew Robertson sent in a fine low cross from the left and Lallana was all too easily allowed to meet the ball at the far post, turning home and celebrating his first goal since May 2017 in front of the away support.
Trent Alexander-arnold flashed over and Oxladechamberlain went close as Liverpool pushed for a winner that proved just out of reach.