When Liverpool are in the town of Manchester and United is the host, it’s always expected to be a belter of a clash. Liverpool needed to keep their pressure on Chelsea and United had to do that on the top four. While both managers hinted that they focused on the present game alone, there was a lot more at stake because it was not only a clash of two cities, it was a clash of three as London watched in anticipation as well.
Liverpool lead early after Paul Pogba handled the ball and gave away a penalty only for Milner to finish sublimely but United kept the pressure and reaped reward very late as Ibrahimovic converted Valencia’s cross.
3 Talking Points From Manchester United’s Comeback Draw Vs Liverpool
A stalemate at Manchester. How does this affect the race for the title and the top four?
A draw sees Liverpool lose ground on Chelsea as the Blues have gone 7 points clear at the top and considering the current run Chelsea are on, Liverpool’s work is cut out. Looks like there is no stopping Conte’s men as they look set to seal the title as early as possible!
However, the top four race is just heating up. City’s massacre at the hands of Everton has seen them gasping for breath as United are closing on them with an impressive 16 game unbeaten run. Arsenal and Liverpool look firm whereas the sudden increase in Spurs’s form has seen the lily whites climb up to the second spot in the table joined only by Liverpool on points. A crucial game next week sees City face Spurs and that can have a huge say in the race for Champions League.
Is the top 4 dream still a realistic target for Jose considering the current circumstances?
Jose Mourinho wouldn’t have known his best eleven a month ago but now he knows his best team and Manchester United have stretched their unbeaten run to over 16. They have made a significant ground on the top four and the difference is just four points now with games against Stoke, Hull City, Leicester City and Watford to come.
Considering the form, United have the capability to get maximum points from these fixtures before a crucial Manchester Derby. Also keeping in mind that Chelsea will face both Arsenal and Liverpool and City facing Spurs next week, United have a superb chance to enter the top four and a lot rests on their hands.
Does Liverpool have it in them to continue their title challenge? Can they close down Chelsea?
17 games are yet to be played in the English Premier League and in an unpredictable league like this, anything can happen. Chelsea have an absolutely crucial game against Arsenal and then they face Liverpool at home so for the giants of Merseyside, even if Chelsea surpass Hull next week, their sights would be set on the game where Chelsea face Arsenal while they face Hull.
A draw for Chelsea then might as well see Liverpool reduce the gap to 5 with a game against the leaders the following week to close down the gap to just two points. The title challenge is still alive and Klopp knows it. Another major talking point is that whether Liverpool have it in them to sustain their threat over Chelsea and yes, without Sadio Mane too the side is very well balanced.
Henderson’s return along with Coutinho’s is a major boost. Wijnaldum, Lallana and Origi all seem to be contributing as well with Firmino and Joel Matip is only peeking at a return himself. Liverpool have it in them and yes indeed they can close down Chelsea.
