Mohamed Salah’s penalty allowed the Reds to salvage a point, but they will be disappointed with themselves for not winning a match that they controlled.

Liverpool was held to a 2-2 draw by a middling Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, missing a golden opportunity to take back the top spot in the Premier League. Luis Diaz gave the Reds a well-deserved lead after they completely controlled the first half, but there was always concern that they would suffer the consequences of their carelessness, and that is exactly what happened.

Just inside his own half, Jarell Quansah made a terribly mishandled pass that gave the home team an equalizer. Bruno Fernandes took advantage of the situation brilliantly, beating the helpless Caoimhin Kelleher with a curving long-range effort.

After that, United produced yet another outstanding performance, this time from Kobbie Mainoo, leaving Jurgen Klopp completely taken aback. The German did, however, manage to help his team salvage a draw when one of his substitutes, Harvey Elliott, forced an otherwise wasteful Mohamed Salah to foul Aaron Wan-Bissaka, giving Liverpool a point that puts them level with Arsenal at the top of the standings, though they trail the Gunners on goal differential.

Below, GOAL ranks all of the Reds on show on another bitterly frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Caoimhin Kelleher (6/10):

Given absolutely nothing to do in the first half other than pass the ball to his defenders before being caught in no man’s land because of Quansah’s horrific error, and then left with no chance on Mainoo’s sweet strike.

Conor Bradley (5/10):

Booked early on for a wild challenge on Rashford and should have given the ball back to Szoboszlai after being found in space in the area just before the break. Full of running as always, but rightly replaced shortly after the hour.

Jarell Quansah (4/10):

Got the nod to start alongside Van Dijk ahead of Konate and looked very comfortable until he played a needlessly and dreadfully loose pass that Fernandes pounced on.

Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

Some outrageously calm interventions at the back, but actually had very little to do. Powerless to prevent his side from once again failing to keep a clean sheet.

Andy Robertson (6/10):

As always, a great outlet down the left flank and produced a great cut-back that Szoboszlai wasted – but his corner led to Liverpool breaking the deadlock.

Midfield

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

Was absolutely integral to Liverpool’s first-half domination with his winning and distribution of the ball, and also helped the Reds reclaim control after the shock of conceding two quick goals.

Wataru Endo (5/10):

Not his usual efficient self. Caught in possession at times and gave away a few free-kicks with mistimed tackles before being hauled off as Liverpool lost control of the game.

Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10):

Saw a good early effort brilliantly saved by Onana – one of four shots inside the opening 20 minutes – and also created a good chance for Salah, but ran out of steam midway through the second half.

Getty

Attack

Mohamed Salah (6/10):

Drew forced a few of easy saves from Onana with efforts from outside the area, but just before the half, he blazed over from ten yards out, leaving Klopp fuming. He made an even worse error in the second half, but he remained composed and leveled the score from the spot.

Darwin Nunez (6/10):

After a typically industrious opening, created the opener with his near-post flick-on, but made an absolute mess of a chance at the back post just after the United equaliser.

Luis Diaz (6/10):

On hand to open the scoring by volleying home from close-range and created plenty of openings with his dribbling and neat touches.

Subs & Manager

Curtis Jones (5/10):

Took over in midfield from Szoboszlai and picked up a booking as he tried to put himself about.

Joe Gomez (6/10):

Came on for Bradley and added some solidity down the right-hand side.

Harvey Elliott (7/10):

Replaced Endo with just over 20 minutes to go and yet again made a big impact, winning the penalty from which Salah levelled the game.

Cody Gakpo (5/10):

Thrown on in place of Nunez but didn’t get a sight of goal.

Jurgen Klopp (7/10):

Probably his most frustrating trip to Old Trafford as Liverpool’s manager, this was his last visit. There was nothing he could do about his team’s unwillingness to take chances, but his adjustments once more had an impact.