Liverpool’s disastrous streak of form continued as they crashed out of the FA Cup in the fourth round to rivals Manchester United, losing 3-2 at Old Trafford.
Recent performances have been characterised by uninspired offensive play, but in this game the Reds’ woes were defensive as every time Manchester United came rushing forward with Rashford, Cavani and Greenwood a goal seemed imminent.
Paradoxically, it was Liverpool who went ahead after 18 minutes with a good chip over the goalkeeper finish from Mo Salah after a precise through ball from Roberto Firmino. The goal was a reminder of Liverpool at their best, not that Salah or Firmino’s overall performances suggested a return to past form.
Firmino struggled throughout with his touch, while Salah’s inability to hold on to the ball and his penchant for overplaying were again evident.
Indeed, 10 minutes after scoring it was sloppy attacking play from Salah that cost Liverpool possession and allowed Rashford to play a long ball over the retreating Milner’s head into the path of Greenwood to slot past Allison for Man Utd’s equaliser.
A mistake from the nervy Rhys Williams – in at centre back for Joel Matip – put Rashford in a one-on-one with the Reds’ stopper, a chance the United forward took to put the home team up 2-1 after 48 minutes.
Loose play from Cavani on halfway allowed Liverpool to respond on 58 minutes as Milner robbed the big Uruguayan, fed Firmino in the United box, raced in for the return, then dummied for the oncoming Salah to put the ball between the keeper Henderson’s legs and into the back of the net.
At this point, despite lacking their usual control and rhythm, it was Liverpool who were on the front foot and favourites to score the winner. This optimism dissipated, however, on the 78th minute, when the wily veteran Cavani won a dubious free kick against the overly eager Fabinho on the edge of the Liverpool box.
Bruno Fernandes stepped forward to rifle the ball into the corner of the net, beyond the left-hand of the diving Allison.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper – who gave away the penalty that allowed Burnley to end Liverpool’s four-year undefeated Anfield home record in the last Premier League game – gave a poor performance.
A case could be made that his positioning was awry for all three United goals. On all three occasions, he seemed to have allowed too much of his goal to be exposed and too much of a target for the shooter. Positioning is usually one of Allison’s strengths, but tonight he was out by inches and the outcome was a huge blow to Liverpool’s season, which could unravel further if they lose to Spurs on Thursday and fall even further behind in the race for the Premier League title.
