The high-billed North-West derby lived up to its expectations on Thursday evening at Old Trafford and it was Liverpool who put to out an inspired display to secure the win.
A brace from Roberto Firmino and goals apiece from Salah and Jota were enough for Jurgen Klopp’s men to withstand the pressure from the hosts and claim all three points in a major boost to their top-four ambitions.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
It was Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s men who drew first blood inside the opening ten minutes of the midweek matchup when Bruno Fernandes’ effort on goal was deflected into the back of the net by Nat Phillips outstretched leg.
Liverpool looked to find a way back into the game and nearly did so on two occasions within a short span of time, first it was Jota who tested Dean Henderson with a strike that was kept out by the United goalie and then a spot-kick awarded to the visitors was overturned by VAR.
But the Reds did not have to wait for long as Jota’s clever flick off a Nat Phillips drive got the better of Henderson and made the scoreline level once again.
With the first half nearing its end a good ball into the box from Trent Alexander-Arnold was met by Firmino whose header gave Klopp’s men the lead going into the break.
Minutes following the restart the hosts struggled on the defensive end of the pitch and were caught out by the Liverpool players which resulted in Firmino bagging his second of the game after Henderson had failed to get the distance on his initial save.
Liverpool looked in cruise control of the game and could have put it to bed when Jota got a wonderful chance to get his brace but his strike could only rattle the crossbar as United pulled one back on the other end through Marcus Rashford’s calm finish past Alisson.
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 is what it meant to Mo 👌⚽️ pic.twitter.com/IaGWI5RFMB
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 13, 2021
But Mohammad Salah left it late to make it 4-2 for Liverpool with the Egyptian being set up by substitute Curtis Jones in stoppage time and his composed finish into the back of the net secured the win for the visitors.
