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Liverpool bolstered their hopes of an improbable top-four finish in the Premier League after winning 4-2 at the home of their bitter rivals Manchester United on Thursday.
With the victory, the defending champions are up to fifth in the league table with three games left to play. Liverpool are four points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea but have a game in hand on the Londoners.
The home side made the brighter start to the game, taking the lead courtesy Bruno Fernandes’ deflected strike in the tenth minute. But Liverpool ended the first half on the ascendancy, thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
Barely two minutes into the second half, the away team extended their advantage. Firmino pounced on a loose ball in the Manchester United penalty area to bag his second of the night and put some daylight between the two sides.
The topsy-turvy game took another turn in the 68th minute. Manchester United reduced the arrears against the run of play when Marcus Rashford's calmly-taken finish breathed new life into the game.
However, with the hosts committing men forward in search of an equaliser, Mohamed Salah found himself clean through on goal with half of the field to run into. The Egyptian made no mistake by sweeping a confident finish into the bottom corner to put the result beyond doubt.
On that note, let's have a look at the five major talking points from a goal-laden game at Old Trafford.
#1 A rescheduled game played in much-changed circumstances
Much has changed in the Premier League between Thursday and May 2nd, when the two teams were originally scheduled to clash but could not due to fan protests at Old Trafford.
In fact, this rescheduled game took place even as demonstrations resumed in the vicinity, with local authorities and Manchester United taking extra care to ensure the match could proceed without any hassles.
Barriers were erected around the ground before the game. The home side arrived at the ground several hours before kick-off, while the visitors made their way to Old Trafford via a decoy coach.
Coming into the game, Liverpool’s objective of breaking into the top four remained, but Manchester United no longer had a title race to compete in as local rivals Manchester City had sewn up the league title.
After ensuring their participation in next season’s Champions League, Manchester United had pride and the prospect of dealing a blow to the top-four hopes of one of their bitter rivals to play for. However, that was not to be.
#2 Familiar faces return to the Manchester United starting lineup against Liverpool
Faced by the daunting prospect of playing four games in seven days, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to give his star players a rest for Tuesday’s game against Leicester City before bringing the big guns back to face Liverpool.
With Champions League football already secured for next season, it made sense for the Manchester United fringe players to have a run-out against Leicester City, despite the Foxes still in the hunt for a top-four place.
Against Liverpool, the Manchester United manager made ten changes to his starting XI for the second game in a row, with only Eric Bailly retaining his place in the XI that started in the defeat to Leicester City.
#3 Both Manchester United and Liverpool display defensive frailty
Both Manchester United and Liverpool had forgettable outings in defence.
A series of unfortunate injuries in the centre-back department have left Liverpool shorthanded. The Reds have largely played with an inexperienced back four all seaon and have also had to make emergency signings in the January transfer window.
In the aftermath of Virgil van Dijk ruling himself out of the Euros as he continues his recovery from the injury he picked up at the start of the season, there was extra focus on the youthful centre-back pairing Liverpool fielded at Manchester United.
At the other end, Manchester United’s defensive failings have also been well-documented this season. The recent loss of Harry Maguire due to injury did their suspect defence no favours.
As things turned out, questionable defending was a feature at both ends of the pitch. Liverpool erred at the back to concede an early opener but capitalised on slack defending from the hosts to fire three unanwered goals.
Both teams seemed to miss a calming, commanding presence in their respective backlines. Large gaps routinely opened up at both ends during the game, but it was Manchester United’s lack of organisation that ultimately became their undoing.
#4 Manchester United’s poor home form is in sharp contrast to their excellent run on the road
Although Manchester United occupy a creditable second place in the Premier League table, there has been a considerable disparity in their home and away form.
While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men boast an admirable unbeaten record on the road this season, they have faltered six times at home, which eventually cost them dear in the title race.
The lack of fans in attendance at grounds across the league this season might have played a part in Manchester United’s contrasting form. But that is a factor that is likely to change as early as the final few matches of the current campaign.
Nevertheless, if Manchester United are to mount a serious title challenge next season, Solskjaer's team will need to focus on improving their home form and make Old Trafford a fortress.
#5 Liverpool revive top-4 hopes with a late surge
Although a series of disappointing losses throughout the campaign have diminished Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top four this season, they could still qualify for the Champions League next campaign.
While winning their remaining matches would be the absolute minimum, the Reds will also need to rely on results elsewhere to go their way to sneak into the top four.
Chelsea’s unexpected defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday would have come as welcome news for Liverpool ahead of their tussle against United. If Liverpool win their game in hand, they'll move to within a point off Chelsea with only two games left.
Following Chelsea's unexpected slip-up against Arsenal and Liverpool's win at Old Trafford, the 2020-21 Premier League top-four race is poised for a thrilling finish.
