Liverpool fans have the right to be fuming after their team dropped valuable points in the Premier League title race on Sunday.
Less than a month after losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup, Jurgen Klopp and his players made another trip to Old Trafford aiming to return to the top of the table.
When Luis Diaz put Liverpool ahead, many thought it would be the start of his team blowing their old rivals away and securing a much-needed three points.
Both Manchester City and Arsenal – who are now top on goal difference – won their respective matches the day before.
This was Liverpool’s chance to regain top spot, but time and time again, they kept missing chance after chance.
One of the culprits for the away team was the ever-reliable Mohamed Salah, who only recently returned from injury after hobbling off during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Michael Owen was critical of the 31-year-old and how he had a ‘quiet’ game at Old Trafford, as he told Premier League Productions (07/04/24 at 5:40 pm).
The Egypt star just couldn’t convert any of his chances despite being fed the ball numerous times inside the penalty area.
Owen pointed towards Salah’s lack of natural finishing ability and how he has ‘never been the greatest of finishers’.
Mohamed Salah’s finishing v Manchester United
“He missed a couple of chances today that you normally would expect him to score,” said Owen. ”He was quiet today.
“But he sent the goalkeeper the wrong way (for his penalty) and it’s a beautiful feeling when you just hit the ball and you see the goalkeeper diving the other way. It’s all about pressure this. There is no enjoyment from scoring. He stuck it away nicely.
“Salah has been as a younger professional, he has never been the greatest of finishers. He has really sharpened up his act in recent years and his numbers are huge – they will be disappointed to miss so many chances, especially in the first half and only scoring one goal.”
Dropped points in the Premier League title race by Liverpool
That’s three games in all competitions for ten Hag’s side against their bitter rivals this season, with two draws and a win.
If Liverpool lose the title by a small margin in May, they will lock back on this fixture and how they didn’t manage to secure a win.
This is the heat of the title run-in. Make no bones about it, this is dropped points from the Reds. Wayne Rooney is confident of who will win.
But all Liverpool can now do is look forward, win all their remaining games and hope Arsenal repeat last season’s collapse.
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