Manchester United scored in the final moments of extra time to defeat Liverpool in an agonizing fashion 4-3 and knock the Reds out of the FA Cup. Liverpool had the lead at two different points in the match and were just three minutes away from advancing, but they could not hold the lead as Amad Daillo scored deep into extra time.
First Half
United put an early shot on goal, but Caiomhin Kelleher made an easy save. He made another save moments later to keep the match level. Dominik Szoboszlai tried in the 5th minute, but the save was made. Mohamed Salah put a shot just wide in the 9th minute as the match got off to a frantic start.
Manchester United got on the board first as Scott McTominay sent home a rebound in the 10th minute for a 1-0 lead. Liverpool looked to strike on the counterattack in the 14th minute, but the shot was high. Liverpool earned a corner in the 25th minute but the Reds could make nothing of it.
Szoboszlai forced a save near the half-hour mark and then Luis Diaz earned a corner, but the chance was cleared. After a flurry of activity on both ends, Wataru Endō put the ball in the back of the net, but the Reds were caught offsides. Liverpool did draw even just before halftime. Jarrell Quansah made a nice run into the box and laid the ball to Alexis Mac Allister. He put his laces through the ball as it found the back of the net to tie the match at 1-1.
Liverpool was not done in the half, however. In first-half stoppage time, Darwin Núñez forced a save, but the ball fell right to Salah who made no mistakes with the finish to give Liverpool a 2-1 halftime lead.
Second Half
Núñez earned a corner early in the second half, but the cross was claimed by the United keeper. After United pushed for an equalizer, Núñez nearly struck on a counterattack, but his shot was wide. Szoboszlai forced a save in the 56th minute and Mac Allister tried a freekick but it was also high and wide.
Liverpool stayed aggressive as Núñez forced another save in the 62nd minute. Salah also had his shot saved in the 64th. After a long spell of possession by Liverpool, Manchester United earned a corner, but the resulting shot was wide.
Liverpool earned a corner of their own in the 82nd minute, but the header from Mac Allister was high. Those missed chances came back to bite the Reds as Antony scored to the game in the 87th minute. Marcus Rashford missed a chance to win it in the final seconds, but he put the shot wide.
Extra Time
Antony missed a shot in the 92nd minute while Mac Allister put a header high. United earned a corner in the 97th minute, but it was cleared. Luis Daiz followed with a free kick, but it was claimed by the keeper. Substitute Harvey Elliott took a shot from well outside the box in the 105th minute. It took a deflection and ended up in the back of the net for a 3-2 Liverpool lead,
Kelleher was forced to make a big save in the 110th minute, but he could not stop Rashford's strike in the 112th minute to tie the match at 3-3. Liverpool earned a corner in stoppage time of extra time, but it proved to be the perfect setup for Manchester United as Amad Daillo scored in the final seconds of the match to eliminate Liverpool from the FA Cup by the 4-3 final.
Missed Opportunities
Liverpool had numerous chances to add a third goal in the second half and they did not take advantage. United also had plenty of chances, as well as the two teams combined for 53 shots (11 each on goal).
On The Wrong Side Of History
In 18 previous FA Cup meetings between Liverpool and Manchester United. The Reds have only garnered four wins. The loss also snaps Liverpool's streak of six consecutive wins on Saint Patrick's Day.
Heavy Legs
Liverpool players looked exhausted in the latter stages of the game and in extra time. That could explain why they could not track back on the final counterattack goal. Having already played against Sparta on March 14th and 46 games in all competitions, six more than United this season, Liverpool just ran out of gas.
LFC Globe Verdict
It's hard to be mad after a game like this. It was an absolute classic befitting two rivals. Liverpool just got worn down in the end, and that is completely understandable. It is a disappointing way to finish, but in the big picture, the Reds still have plenty to play for this season.
Man Of The Match
After a game like this, it's hard to choose one. It was such a marathon, seemingly everyone on the pitch had good and bad moments. If Núñez had put away some of his chances I would give it to him because he was in dangerous areas all night long. Therefore, I chose Mohamed Salah. His goal was the 13th of his career vs Manchester United.
What's Next
Liverpool will get some much-needed time off. Thanks to the International break, they will not return to the pitch until Easter Sunday (March 31st) hosting Brighton in a Premier League fixture at Anfield.
Goals
United
- Scott McTominay 10'
- Anthony 87'
- Marcus Rashford 112'
- Amad Daillo 120'
Liverpool
- Alexis Mac Allister 44'
- Mohamed Salah 45+'
- Harvey Elliott 105'
Substitutes
United
- Harry Maguire for Aaron Wan-Bissaka 71'
- Antony for Rasmus Hojlund 71'
- Christian Eriksen for Kobbie Mainoo 80'
- Amad Diallo for Raphael Varane 85'
- Mason Mount for Victor Lindelof 105'
Liverpool
- Harvey Elliott for Dominik Szoboszlai 72'
- Conor Bradley for Andy Robertson 76'
- Cody Gakpo for Mahamed Salah 77'
- Kostas Tsimikas for Joe Gomez 101'
