Manchester United dent Liverpool’s title hopes

By Samkelo “Sports Mjita” Gambushe

Liverpool missed the chance to reclaim top spot in the Premier League after playing to a two-all draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Luis Diaz put Liverpool ahead in a one-sided first half. In the second half, goals from captain Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo saw the hosts go two-one up. However, a late Mohamed Salah penalty ensured a draw for the Reds, who are now behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference.

“Probably if we are still around then [in the race] it would be great,” ­Liverpool’s manager said. “But ­Arsenal is a good football team and if they [United] play like they did today Arsenal will win that game, I’m 100% sure. I’m really sorry to say it but we should have won both games [after losing in the Cup] and didn’t. That’s our fault.”

Klopp said he was not too concerned at Liverpool, whose goal difference is inferior to Arsenal’s by nine, no longer being leaders. “It ­matters after 38 matchday – a lot,” Klopp said. “People and our sup­porters as well will tell us now we need to better our goal ­difference [but to] go for that, that would be the dumbest thing we could do. That doesn’t ­happen on purpose; you don’t go into a game wanting to score eight goals and it happens.

“We are who we are and we are how we are and that’s why we are in the race. I’m absolutely fine with that. I knew it would be super tricky until the end. We were, until ­yesterday, whichever time, top. Now it’s Arsenal and I don’t know when, then it is maybe somebody else.

Picture: Getty Images