1-1: Man Utd end Liverpool's winning streak

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Sunday result

Manchester United 1  Liverpool 1

By Joseph Kizza

@joekizza

________________________


Liverpool's fantastic 17-game winning streak, stretching as far back as last season, was brought to an end Sunday by Manchester United, who have had an indifferent start to the campaign.

In a game featuring numbing video-assisted refereeing (VAR) decisions, Marcus Rashford thought his 36th-minute goal would snatch the three points from the juggernaut that is Liverpool, but a late Adam Lallana equaliser deprived the Old Trafford side points that would have lifted them to eighth on the table.

Second-half substitute Lallana hushed the resurgent voice produced by the home faithful with five minutes left to play. Five minutes which, if United had held on to their slim lead, would have significantly lifted the mood inside the United camp by far.

Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came into Sunday's highly anticipated game - being a clash of old foes - with the odds stacked heavily against his struggling side, but Englishman Rashford's strike helped turn the tables, to the shock of many keen observers.

Yes, Liverpool had failed to beat United at Old Trafford in their last six games, including five league matches, but this is a Liverpool side that has turned its form knob several levels high. The general expectation was that the Reds would get the three points on Sunday with as much conviction as would be based on their recent performances.

But once again, just like they did in February (0-0), they walked away with nothing more than a point.

Despite Sunday's stutter, Jurgen Klopp's side, maintain their unbeaten streak as their lead over second-placed Manchester City, who are the defending champions, is cut to six points.

A dramatic first half saw VAR consulted when Rashford scored what, in the interim, was the opening goal. The Liverpool camp felt that their man, Divock Origi, had been tackled by Victor Lindelof in the buildup. But after the goal was scrutinised, nerves across Old Trafford eased when the referee waved for the goal to stand.

Klopp and Liverpool players' fury was drowned by ensuing revived celebrations from the home following, which had been briefly muted during the nerve-racking VAR check.

Sadio Made lashed in a perceived leveller two minutes before the break, but a VAR review ruled out the goal after confirming that the Senegalese forward had brought the ball down with his hand inside the box.

In the second half, Lallana was one of the Liverpool players brought on off the bench, and what an impact he made! The Englishman's 85th-minute goal ensured that the spoils were shared between England football's age-old rivals.

The result meant that United remain in the bottom half of the table (in 13th) on a paltry 10 points while Liverpool remain sat at the summit of the log on 25 points. To put the gulf between these two sides into context, Liverpool's lead over Manchester United is equivalent to five wins.

Will this result re-energize the mood in the United camp? What do the Liverpool fans make of their first hiccup of the season?

Check out a selection of pictures from the game:

Rashford loves the big games

Liverpool were without one of their key players - Mohamed Salah

It was to and fro action in the opening stages of the game

Rashford found the breakthrough - but his goal had to undergo the scrutiny of video-assisted refereeing (VAR)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been one manager under pressure in recent weeks

Jurgen Klopp demanded swift reaction from his players

The Liverpool manager introduced Adam Lallana in the second half to bolster his attacking force

The cameras managed to pick out United former manage Sir Alex Ferguson

After sustained second-half pressure, Lallana managed to beat David de Gea five minuted before time

Klopp's reforms had proved important

Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have a lot of work to do if they are to climb back up the table

And one of his players that will be key in this resurgence is this young man - Marcus Rashford