Liverpool surrender title lead in chaotic derby draw

Liverpool relinquished the lead of the Premier League title race after a derby draw with Manchester United that left them with a lingering sense of deja vu.

Only three weeks after being knocked out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford, in a game which they largely dominated, Jurgen Klopp’s men once again failed to pass the chaotic test of overcoming Erik ten Hag’s ragtag bunch.

Luis Diaz put the Reds ahead at the break before Bruno Fernandes took advantage of an error to score from 40 yards. United then led through Kobbie Mainoo’s sweet strike yet Mohamed Salah rescued Liverpool a point from the spot.

The hosts threatened to cause big problems for their rivals inside the first few minutes when Alejandro Garnacho was narrowly offside before rounding the goalkeeper and scoring what would have been the opening goal.

It took Liverpool a bit of time before they got going and the first warning sign came via Dominik Szoboszlai breaking in behind with acres of space, only to be denied by Andre Onana’s sharp reflexes.

Soon enough, the Reds were in near-total control and carved United open at will. The opener, on 23 minutes, was fully deserved with Darwin Nunez flicking on a corner for the unmarked Diaz to turn home.

The only surprise for the rest of the first half was how they failed to make it two. Salah, Nunez, Szoboszlai and Conor Bradley all saw attempts flash past the post or blocked while United entered the break without a shot to their name – having conceded 14.

Perhaps inevitably, United levelled with their first shot of the game. Jarell Quansah’s sloppy pass not only found Fernandes just inside the Liverpool half but also caught Caoimhin Kelleher well off his line, which the Portuguese playmaker spotted as he lobbed a shot into the bottom corner.

Old Trafford arose from its slumber yet the visitors should have gone back ahead moments later when a swift counter saw Nunez with options to shoot and pass in the six-yard box, yet whatever it was that he did produce warranted neither description.