Our 3️⃣ points as Liverpool beat Man United in Old Trafford thriller | OneFootball

Liverpool’s dream of Champions League football next season came a step closer to reality as they beat Manchester United 4-2 at Old Trafford.

Goals from Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and strikes either side of half-time from Roberto Firmino were enough for the win as Jürgen Klopp’s men moved into fifth place.

Trent’s time to shine

With Gareth Southgate in the stands it was perhaps a little ironic that Trent Alexander-Arnold would have arguably his best game of the season so far.

And just in time for a little something this summer.

There was much consternation back in March when the Liverpool defender was dropped for Southgate’s England squad with Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker preferred in his place.

If we’re honest, it was a reasonable call at the time, with the Three Lions having a ridiculous amount of depth at right-back and TAA not matching the ridiculous heights he set for himself over the previous two seasons.

But we’re delighted to say that the 22-year-old is back with a vengeance and was at his world-class best again tonight.

The positioning, the ball control, the delivery from wide, the decision-making in the final third – it was all there, and it played a huge role in Liverpool winning this game.

No Natty dread

Everything you need to know about Liverpool’s defensive struggles this season could be summed by the team news that came in an hour before kick off this evening.

In the biggest game of the season, with Champions League football next season a distant, but possible, dream Jürgen Klopp had to call upon Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips.

This time last year, the two centre-backs were playing for Kidderminster Harriers and Stuttgart, respectively, now they were up against arguably the most intelligent strike-force in the Premier League.

And you know what? They did a fine job up against one of the most experienced and intelligent strike-forces in the Premier League.

Phillips -despite his early own goal – was everywhere, bringing the ball out from the back on numerous occasions and causing United untold problems in their own penalty area.

Eric Bailly almost gave away a penalty after a wild dive on Phillips and then it was his awareness to pick up a loose ball that saw Diogo Jota net the equaliser before half time.

It’s been a steep learning curve for those two, but one they’ve taken it with aplomb.

Backline bother

Manchester United have now conceded more goals as Brighton this season.

I’ll repeat that for those at the back: Manchester United have conceded more goals as Brighton this season.

Second place United, with England stalwart Harry Maguire and world’s best-paid goalkeeper David de Gea, have been as good defensively this turn as a side who until this past week have been facing potential relegation.

Forty two is the headline number and its a damning indictment of the way Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have defending tonight and for most of the campaign, that they are level with Graham Potter’s Seagulls.

Maguire was missing tonight, and one could really feel his absence as United struggled with the movement of Roberto Firmino and the constant energy of Diogo Jota.

For all the talk of Jadon Sancho and Harry Kane this summer, perhaps some funds could be directed towards the defence as well.