Liverpool drop points in three-way race for EPL title

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

Having ended Liverpool’s quadruple challenge, Manchester United looked set to deliver a major blow to Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of bowing out at the end of the season with a second English Premier League (EPL) title.

Time will tell how damaging a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford yesterday will be to the Merseyside club in the three-way fight at the top, but it could have been so much worse if not for Mohamed Salah’s late penalty.

“We should have won the game, that is clear,” Klopp said. “As far as I’m concerned, we have a point more than we did before.”

It wasn’t only the prospect of defeat at the home of Liverpool’s fiercest rivals that felt so significant, but the nature of it.

Klopp’s team had totally dominated by raining down shots on United’s goal in a mismatched first half, but only managed to lead 1-0 at the break through Luis Diaz’s goal.

The atmosphere totally changed when Bruno Fernandes struck a stunning equaliser from inside the centre circle after a Liverpool mistake, and Kobbie Mainoo curled a superb shot into the top corner to give United the lead.

After victories for Arsenal and Manchester City on Saturday, Liverpool were heading towards a second defeat to United, after losing in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last month.

That was until Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s reckless lunge at Harvey Elliott led to referee Anthony Taylor pointing to the spot and Salah converting.

The draw moved Liverpool level on points with first-place Arsenal, but behind on goal difference. City are a point behind in third in an ever-tightening title race.

“You shouldn’t do what we do today constantly, that won’t be enough. Definitely not,” Klopp said.

Klopp said in January that he would step down at the end of the season. He has already led Liverpool to the English League Cup, and the club is still in contention to win the Europa League. Klopp is hoping to win the Premier League title for a second time after ending the club’s 30-year wait for the trophy in 2020.

UNITED FIGHTS

Erik ten Hag needed a performance from his players in front of new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.

A desperately disappointing week had seen his team blow winning positions in stoppage time at Brentford and Chelsea to deliver blows to United’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

While this was another late setback, United’s response to being totally outplayed in the first half will have provided some encouragement to the manager.

But the pressure will still be on him to salvage a campaign that has failed to live up to expectations.

LATE DRAMA

On Thursday, it was Chelsea pulling off a late comeback to stun United.

Yesterday, Mauricio Pochettino’s team was on the wrong end of stoppage-time drama as last-place Sheffield United fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at Bramall Lane after Ollie McBurnie’s equaliser in the third minute of added time.

Chelsea twice squandered the lead after opening the scoring through Thiago Silva and going in front again through Noni Madueke.

While Sheffield United look almost certain to be relegated this season, they showed fight in front of their home fans.

Jayden Bogle levelled the game in the first half before McBurnie’s late effort.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Tottenham moved up to fourth after a 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest to take charge of the race for the last guaranteed Champions League place.

Spurs moved above fifth-place Aston Villa on goal difference and also has a game in hand on its closest rival.