Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool: Late Salah penalty rescues draw for Reds away at Old Trafford

Mohamed Salah scored a late penalty kick to help Liverpool escape Old Trafford with a single point after a 2-2 draw with Manchester United, bringing them level with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

In the 84th minute, Salah scored his sixth league goal at Old Trafford, surpassing Steven Gerrard's five goals, making him the most successful visiting player in league history.

With seven games remaining in the tight title race, Liverpool and Arsenal both have 71 points, with the Gunners leading on goal difference. Holders Manchester City are third with 70 points, while United are sixth with 49.

"It feels like a loss, and it is our fault again," Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk told the BBC. "We had so many chances and we should finish the game off."

Luis Diaz put Liverpool ahead in the 23rd minute when Dominik Szoboszlai swung in a corner, which Darwin Nunez headed to the unmarked Colombian, who volleyed in from close range.

However, in the 50th minute, Bruno Fernandes latched on to a loose Liverpool pass and lobbed the ball from the centre circle past keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, scoring United's 50th league goal.

In the 67th minute, Kobbie Mainoo fired a rocket from just inside the 18-yard box into the far top corner, eliciting a roar from the Old Trafford faithful.

Mainoo became the first 18-year-old to score a league goal against Liverpool since Cesc Fabregas for Arsenal in 2005, and the delighted teenager dashed to the corner flag to salute the crowd in celebration.

"It's an unbelievable feeling to score my first Old Trafford goal and to do it in this fixture was even more special," Mainoo told Sky Sports, adding that he was disappointed about the result.

"We didn't get the three points and that's the main thing. I think we performed really well in the second half. The lads made minor mistakes and if we iron them out then we win the game."

Liverpool were awarded a penalty after Harvey Elliott was brought down in the box.

Erik ten Hag's team had dealt a blow to Liverpool for the second time in recent weeks, having eliminated them from the FA Cup with a dramatic 4-3 quarter-final home win in extra time last month.

However, it was United's third consecutive game of conceding late goals, following a 1-1 draw at Brentford and a 4-3 loss at Chelsea.

"Very mixed emotions," Ten Hag said. "On one side I am disappointed that we have dropped seven points in one week after being in winning positions, but we have to blame ourselves for making stupid mistakes."

"On the other side I am very proud. You see how we are improving and the potential of this squad is amazing."

This was the first league game that Liverpool had failed to win despite leading since they played Brighton in October.

"We should have won the game, that is clear," Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp told Sky Sports. "We should have had other goals in the first half already. As far as I'm concerned, we have a point more than we did before. They put an extra shift in, that's how it is."

"We don't have many home games left. The team who wins the league in the end should deserve it. We are in the race and I'm absolutely fine with it."

Liverpool dominated, with 62.1% possession and 28 shots to the home team's nine. They limited United to zero shots on goal in the first half of a league match for the first time since April 2022, when they faced Liverpool.

Alejandro Garnacho briefly brought the United fans to their feet with a goal in the second minute, but it was chalked off for offside.

United have won only one of their last 12 Premier League games against Liverpool, and that came last season.

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