Manchester United inflict more pain on Liverpool with win in five-goal thriller
This was the first time that Manchester United have beaten Liverpool under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and while the immediate result was to knock them out of the FA Cup there may be greater ramifications for the rest of the campaign.
Psychologically this could be important with Liverpool playing well at times only to have their obvious vulnerabilities exposed while United’s talisman, Bruno Fernandes, came off the bench to score the stunning free-kick which secured a fifth round tie at home to West Ham United.
Liverpool are out and while this competition may not be a priority in terms of their greater ambitions Jurgen Klopp fielded a strong enough side, as did Solskjaer, to acknowledge the potentially wider resonance of the result as well as the magnitude of the opponent. Instead it is just one win in seven for Liverpool – against Aston Villa’s kids in the previous round – with again serious concern about the centre of their defence. With Klopp searching for solutions the brutal truth is that 19-year-old Rhys Williams is not the answer, not right now anyway, while Fabinho was also at fault. Can Liverpool really afford not to buy a centre-half before the transfer window closes?
Undeniably it is coming together for United with Solskjaer’s tactics, attacking the space left by Liverpool’s full-backs proving effective, Paul Pogba again outstanding and Fernandes just seems to lift his team-mates when he is on the pitch. Belief is coursing through them while the Portuguese has that wonderful, charismatic presence that few players possess. There is no secret with Solskjaer revealing the play-maker had stayed out on the training ground to practice free-kicks when he was told he was not starting this tie.
And so it came to pass. Just as Liverpool looked the more likely to win, after Mohamed Salah scored his second goal, Edinson Cavani cleverly rolled Fabinho on the edge of the penalty area to win a free-kick which the Brazilian angrily protested. Cavani inquired about taking it but Fernandes made it clear what was happening and he struck the ball fiercely around the wall – with, crucially and inexplicably, Thiago Alcantara ducking – to beat Alisson.
WHAT A HIT!
Bruno Fernandes 👏
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZES1Qac#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/m0GxrWxVCN— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
This was far more open and attacking than last weekend’s Premier League stalemate at Anfield and it was Liverpool who took the lead. After not scoring in their last four league games, with their only goals coming against Villa’s third string in the previous round, it was sumptuously constructed and taken. Roberto Firmino collected possession, there was no pressure on him and he took advantage with an incisive pass between Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw for Salah to run onto and calmly lift the ball over the onrushing Dean Henderson and into the net. Lindelof was at fault, having lost Salah, as was Shaw who was slow to react.
In a sign of how open the tie would be
United quickly hit back with Pogba determined to win the ball on the edge of his own area, taking it off Firmino who fouled him with referee Craig Pawson playing on as Donny van de Beek quickly found Marcus Rashford. Salah sprinted back to close Rashford down but he smartly switched play with a precise cross-field pass over James Milner’s head for Mason Greenwood to chest down. As the 19-year-old steadied himself Liverpool defenders tried to get back but Greenwood drove the ball unerringly across Alisson to equalise.
It was as good as Liverpool’s goal and was a definite ploy from United to try and get Greenwood in behind Andrew Robertson and Rashford occupying the space left by Trent Alexander-Arnold. It worked with Greenwood’s pace having taken him away from Thiago, forcing Alisson to save, and Cavani seizing on the first of several errors by Williams for Greenwood to shoot wide.
Not a bad game, this! 🤩
Mohamed Salah with another!
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZESjr1K#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/tdgYmupuV3— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
There were more chances – with United dominant at corners – before Rashford skipped past Williams, who hesitated then dived in, for Greenwood to find Pogba who shot wide. Williams appeared nervous and United profited when
Cavani fed the ball to Greenwood who struck a first-time pass towards Rashford. The Liverpool centre-half should have cut it out but fluffed his chance with Rashford running on before sidefooting beyond Alisson.
At that point in the second-half there appeared to be only one winner but the goal flicked a switch with Liverpool who will be encouraged by their response. Milner went close when he reached Firmino’s header on but could only half-volley over at full stretch. However he was heavily involved as Liverpool drew level. The midfielder intercepted a lazy pass by Cavani to surge forward and then intelligently dummy a low cross from Firmino, suddenly prominent and knitting the play the way he used to, to allow Salah to sweep the ball home. Soon after and Alexander-Arnold drew an alert save from Henderson.
Mason Greenwood returns the favour for Marcus Rashford! 🤝
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZES1Qac#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/J0yJ6iP3tO— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
Both managers tried to seize the initiative. On came Sadio Mane and then Fernandes and Fred and it was Liverpool who threatened again with Firmino threading the ball through to Salah whose low shot was parried by Henderson with Harry Maguire fortunate when his poor clearance struck Lindelof on the back and bounced away.
Just as it looked like Liverpool were going to overwhelm United it was the home side who profited through Fernandes’s free-kick. Cavani is such an intelligent, experienced, hard-working centre-forward and used that nous to create the chance and then went close himself to scoring when he met Fernandes’ precise cross only to thump a header against the post with Alisson beaten.
Liverpool could not take advantage and it was United who went through. Oddly it means that only once in Jurgen Klopp’s six seasons in charge has he reached the fifth round of this competition. But, to be honest, that is the least of his concerns right now.
Match details
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Pogba, McTominay; Greenwood (Fred, 66), Van de Beek (Fernandes, 66), Rashford (Martial, 86); Cavani.
Substitutes not used: De Gea, Mata, Bruno, James, Alex Telles, Matic, Tuanzebe.
Booked: Lindelof, Pogba.
Goals: Greenwood (26), Rashford (48), Fernandes (78).
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Rhys Williams, Fabinho, Robertson; Milner, Thiago (Shaqiri, 81), Wijnaldum (Mane, 62); Salah, Firmino (Origi, 81), Jones.
Substitutes not used: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Tsimikas, Phillips, Kelleher, Neco Williams.
Booked: Fabinho, Mane.
Goals: Salah (18, 58).
Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).
06:55 PMFULL-TIME: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
FULL-TIME: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
You haven't been able to write this after a Man Utd vs Liverpool match recently BUT that was a wonderful match.
It's Solskjaer's first win over Liverpool at the fifth time of asking, great entertainment, both side went at it, end-to-end stuff.
Another defeat for Liverpool BUT they looked good today, Salah scored two and they can take positives from this match.
United showed great character again and once again illustrated why it would be a fool to write them off from wining anything this season.
06:52 PM92 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
92 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
Pogba gives away a free-kick with a late challenge on the left. He sees yellow and Liverpool have a set-piece in a good area, in the final third on the left. Robertson puts it in, it goes deep, ending with Salah hitting it first time well wide.
06:49 PM90 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
90 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
Four minutes added time...
06:49 PM89 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
89 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
Pogba nearly scores an own goal - he comes back to help Wan Bissaka in defence, warding off, the danger of Mane, and in dong so heads at his own goal, but Wan Bissaka heads it clear.
06:48 PM88 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
88 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
Cavani hits the post - Fernandes plays a delightful ball across the box which the striker heads first time, back from whence it came, Alisson is beaten but it hits the upright and Liverpool breathe a sigh of relief.
06:46 PM86 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
86 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
United attack in numbers but they cannot get a shot on goal as there's a misunderstanding between Martial and Fernandes.
06:45 PM85 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
85 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
Martial is on for Rashford - straight swap. Rashford has had a huge influence on this game.
06:43 PM82 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
82 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
Fermino and Thiago are off for Shaqiri and Origi
06:43 PM80 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
80 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
United can be out of games for large parts but they look so good in attack that you can dominate possession, look the more likely to score but still find yourself on the receiving end of a goal against them, which is what happened to Liverpool.
06:41 PM78 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
78 mins: Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
That was a brilliant free-kick, it was too close to go over the wall so Fernandes has to go to the keeper's side, he fires it over Pogba's head (he ducked) into the net. It was against the run of play but the hosts won't care one jot about that.
06:39 PMGOOOOOAAAAALLL!! Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
GOOOOOAAAAALLL!! Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool
Canvani is pulled down on the edge of the box by Fabinho.
Fernandes has the ball, takes the free-kick and fires it right into the corner to give Alisson no chance - brilliant.
06:36 PM74 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
74 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Salah has a decent chance on the edge of the box, he goes for the near post and Henderson saves easily.
06:35 PM73 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
73 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Pogba is allowed, for some reason, to run with the ball for 40 yards into the box but having done the hard work he plays a nothing ball which is all too easy for Alisson to deal with.
06:33 PM71 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
71 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Thiago volleys from 25 yards but it doesn't trouble Henderson. Liverpool are in the ascendancy at the moment.
06:31 PMSalah's second
Not a bad game, this! 🤩
Mohamed Salah with another!
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZESjr1K#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/tdgYmupuV3
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
06:30 PM68 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Salah's second
Not a bad game, this! 🤩
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
Mohamed Salah with another!
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZESjr1K#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/tdgYmupuV3
06:30 PM68 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
68 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Salah is seeing a lot of the ball - this time he plays a cross into the box to Mane but United clear the threat. Mane then goes in hard on Fred - went for the ball but it booked for his trouble.
06:28 PM66 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
66 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Firmino plays in Salah again and the Egyptian drives into the box forcing Henderson into a good save.
06:27 PM65 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
65 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Liverpool are seeing most of the ball at the moment - they've had 75 per cent possession over the past five minutes.
United cannot get out of the final third but the move peters out and Van de Beek and Greenwood oare off for Fred and Fernandes.
Van de Beek is a fine player but didn't make an impression today...needs more game time, I reckon.
06:23 PM61 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
61 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Mane is on for Wijnaldum so the front three are back together again.
06:22 PM60 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
60 mins: Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
This is an enjoyable game - and the momentum is now with Liverpool. They work the ball right, Salah drifts in, sucking in the United defence before playing in Alexander-Arnold who shoots, forcing Henderson into a good save.
06:18 PMGOOOOOOAAAAAALLL!! Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLL!! Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool
Salah gets his second...Cavani loses the ball, Milner and Fermino combine in the inside right channel before the ball comes to Salah on the penalty spot and he hits it first time to give Henderson no chance.
06:18 PM57 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
57 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
Milner gambles, making a run in behind the United defence from a Fabinho cross, the ball falls at his feet and he snatches at it, hitting over the bar, should have hit the target.
06:16 PMRashford makes it two
Mason Greenwood returns the favour for Marcus Rashford! 🤝
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZES1Qac#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/J0yJ6iP3tO
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
06:15 PM54 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
Rashford makes it two
Mason Greenwood returns the favour for Marcus Rashford! 🤝
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZES1Qac#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/J0yJ6iP3tO
06:15 PM54 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
54 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
Liverpool are struggling to create anything at the moment - United are dropping deep and smothering the Liverpool players, there's no space in behind.
06:12 PM52 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
52 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
United are much tighter in the midfield and not allowing their Liverpool opposite numbers room to turn or any time on the ball.
06:10 PM50 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
50 mins: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
Klopp doesn't look happy on the touchline, it was a bit of a sloppy goal to concede. United seeing more of the ball and growing in confidence, when they get it right they do look impressive.
06:07 PMGOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL!! Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL!! Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
Rashford scores, capitalising on a mistake by Williams.
Cavani nabs the ball in the centre circle, Greenwood plays a first time ball for Rashford on the right, Williams should have intercepted but it ends up at the feet of the United forward and he opens his body up, firing past the onrushing Alisson.
06:06 PM46 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
46 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Pogba has caught Wijnaldum with a stray arm, but the free-kick goes United's way for a challenge on Rashford. They cannot create anything from the set-piece.
06:03 PM45 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
45 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
It's back under way at Old Trafford, will it go to penalties?
05:50 PMYoung gun
19 - Mason Greenwood (19 years 115 days) is the youngest Man Utd player to score against Liverpool since Wayne Rooney in January 2005 (19 years 83 days). Nurture. pic.twitter.com/JlIlQan40d
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2021
05:49 PMHALF-TIME: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Young gun
19 - Mason Greenwood (19 years 115 days) is the youngest Man Utd player to score against Liverpool since Wayne Rooney in January 2005 (19 years 83 days). Nurture. pic.twitter.com/JlIlQan40d
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2021
05:49 PMHALF-TIME: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
HALF-TIME: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Good first-half, both teams, after a cagey start, have gone for it - entertaining.
05:48 PM44 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
44 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Rashford, also playing well, forces Williams into a rash challenge which he evades well, he puts his head up, plays the ball across the top of the box for Greenwood who tees up Pogba. The Frenchman takes it first time and his shot goes wide.
05:46 PM43 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
43 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Shaw and Van de Beek work brilliantly on the left, Shaw crosses forcing Alisson into a save, the ball comes out to McTominay and Thiago blocks the shot.
Shaw is everywhere at the moment and playing brilliantly.
05:44 PM40 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
40 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Fabinho takes out Greenwood on the edge of the box. Yellow and a free-kick in a central position.
Pogba takes it, he goes around the wall but it goes wide.
05:42 PM38 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
38 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Robertson gets to the byline and chips a ball into the box and Shaw, in a great position, heads the danger away for a corner. Liverpool can't fashion a chance from the set-piece and United clear their lines.
05:40 PMThe United equaliser
The pass from Rashford! 🎯
The finish from Greenwood! 💥
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZESjr1K#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/ZDIk1WCawO
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
05:39 PM36 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
The United equaliser
The pass from Rashford! 🎯
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
The finish from Greenwood! 💥
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/bt0ZESjr1K#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/ZDIk1WCawO
05:39 PM36 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
36 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Everything United are doing well is coming from the left-hand side. Rashford and Shaw are working well together and they win a corner. This set-piece finds the head of McTominay who heads over the bar.
05:37 PM34 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
34 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
From the resulting corner Shaw finds the head of Pogba and he heads over - he was free on the penalty spot and that was a good chance, he should have hit the target.
05:36 PM33 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
33 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
United free-kick is taken my Shaw on the left and it's headed over his own bar by Williams.
05:35 PM31 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
31 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Third of the way through the match and it's entertaining - shock! Liverpool seeing a fair bit of the ball, passing it around the pitch before Maguire concedes a corner. It's taken quickly but Salah loses out to Pogba. The Frenchman finds Rashford and he wins a free-kick.
05:31 PMGreenwood barren run over
11 - Mason Greenwood has scored his first goal for Man Utd in 11 appearances in all competitions, ending his longest run of games without a goal for the club. Equaliser. pic.twitter.com/XqeeCPLvQB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2021
05:31 PM27 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Greenwood barren run over
11 - Mason Greenwood has scored his first goal for Man Utd in 11 appearances in all competitions, ending his longest run of games without a goal for the club. Equaliser. pic.twitter.com/XqeeCPLvQB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2021
05:31 PM27 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
27 mins: Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Van De Beek drives into the box and falls under the challenge of Alisson, it looks like he want a penalty but no chance that is going to be given.
Good game now...
05:30 PMGOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! Man Utd 1-1 Liverpool
Fine finish from Mason Greenwood after a brilliant ball from the left flank by Marcus Rashford which evades Milner. It ends up at the feet of Greenwood before he fires low into the corner across Alisson.
The move started with an excellent tackle from Pogba. That's a move that sums up United of the past two months.
05:27 PMClinical Liverpool
"That was Liverpool at their clinical best!"
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/Tjw0tEHnAl#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/rh9RDQHhQr
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
05:26 PM23 mins: Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
Clinical Liverpool
"That was Liverpool at their clinical best!"
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 24, 2021
Watch Man Utd v Liverpool in the #FACup LIVE on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and online: https://t.co/Tjw0tEHnAl#MUNLIV #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/rh9RDQHhQr
05:26 PM23 mins: Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
23 mins: Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
Firmino is fouled just outside of the area and Liverpool have a free-kick in a good position, just out on the left.
Alexander-Arnold takes it and it sails over the bar.
05:25 PM 21 mins: Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
21 mins: Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
Firmino is out on the right - United having lost the ball in midfield - and passes to Jones in the middle, he tries his luck from 25 yards and it's an easy save for Henderson.
05:22 PM 20 mins: Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
20 mins: Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
That finish wasn't the one of someone struggling in front of goal. The Egyptian, Liverpool, and perhaps the game, needed that.
05:20 PMGOOOOOOOAAAALLLL!! Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
GOOOOOOOAAAALLLL!! Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool
Clinical Liverpool, Salah scores his first at Old Trafford.
Brilliant play from the visitors, Firmino collects the ball in the middle of the pitch, United are too high up and the Brazilian plays a simple through ball to Salah who takes a touch before dinking the ball over the onrushing Henderson.
It's his 112th goal for Liverpool.
05:19 PM16 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
16 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
Rashford wins a corner on the left. Shaw fires it in and Pogba has a decent chance in the box but cannot connect cleanly with the ball.
05:18 PM14 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
14 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
Going on the early exchanges this is more like last week's 0-0 version of of the rivalry than, say, the 1999 FA Cup classic or the 3-3 humdinger in 1994, version...
05:15 PM11 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
11 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
First 10 minutes have been cagey - both are sizing each other up...McTominay loses the ball to Thiago but the ref give a free-kick for the hosts.
United go up the other end, Cavani plays in Greenwood on the right who steps over the ball more time than necessary (a la an early version of Ronaldo) before firing his shot wide.
05:11 PM8 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
8 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
Greenwood picks up the ball on the right and keeps on going, driving into the box before shooting low, forcing Alisson into a next save with his legs.
05:09 PM7 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
7 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
Dangerous play from United there as they pass it around the back close to goal. Lindelof gets lucky and passes it against Firmino for a goal kick
05:07 PM4 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
4 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
The hosts are seeing plenty of the ball, passing it around nicely. Rashford plays a brilliant first-time ball from wide on the left over the Liverpool backline for Cavani, Alisson rushes out of goal and the box and heads it away.
05:04 PM3 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
3 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
Rashford drives into the Liverpool box, pulls it back to Pogba and the attack ends with Williams giving away a corner.
From the set-piece Shaw drills in the ball, Liverpool clear their lines and the danger is over.
05:03 PM2 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
2 mins: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
For those watching in black and white Man Utd are in the red and Liverpool the aquamarine...
Early foray into the final third for Liverpool ends up with a shot from Thiago that is blocked well by the hosts' defence.
05:00 PM1 min: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
1 min: Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool
We're under way at Old Trafford...
04:59 PMTeams are on the pitch
Teams are on the pitch
But before the kick-off here's one last stat - look away now Liverpool fans...
9 - Liverpool have been eliminated from the FA Cup by Manchester United more than they have any other opponent in the competition’s history (9, including final defeats). Adversary. pic.twitter.com/3CGPeAHt3A
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2021
04:58 PMSuper Shaw and perfect Pogba
Super Shaw and perfect Pogba
The form of Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba are two huge reasons for Man Utd's turnaround over the past two months...
Here's Sam Dean on Pogba's creativity
Here's James Ducker on Shaw proving the doubters wrong.
04:55 PMStat attack
Stat attack
Under Klopp Liverpool's record in the FA Cup isn't exactly impressive...
2016: 4th round
2017: 4th round
2018: 4th round
2019: 3rd round
2020: 5th round
04:51 PMOle Gunnar Solskjaer speaks...
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer speaks...
On the challenge Man Utd face today…
“It’s one of the most iconic FA Cup ties you can ask for. Winning might give you momentum like it did for us in 1999.”
On resting Fernandes…
“It’s rotation in the squad, Donny needs to play and I am looking forward to seeing him.”
On searching for a trophy as United boss…
“You can’t wait for a trophy, you got to go and make it happen. It’s a big game for us, we’re keeping working getting better and better, the League is important but a cup run would be nice.”
04:50 PMJurgen Klopp speaks...
Jurgen Klopp speaks...
On the possibility of a Cup run…
“It would be great, that’s the way we want to approach it.”
On hoping one or more of the front three can get on the scoresheet…
“It would be great, what we wish for, there’s a lot of work to do, we want to win a football game against a strong opponent in a competition in which we haven’t done well in the past few years. It’s not just about scoring, we need to do well throughout the side.”
04:43 PMSo, shall we talk about Liverpool...?
So, shall we talk about Liverpool...?
What's gone wrong with Klopp and Co?
Well, I'd say not much in terms of earth-shattering, era-ending problems. In short the front three aren't hitting the heights of the past two years, the full-backs also have dropped back in terms of their level. Add to that the injury to Virgil van Dijk and it's no real shock that Liverpool haven't been able to stay at the remarkable level of the past few seasons.
Here Jason Burt says only a fool would write off Liverpool.
04:34 PMWhile Liverpool want us to remember the 2012 Cup match
⏪ #FACup rewind ⏪
Goals from Agger and Kuyt helped us progress past @ManUtd back in 2012 🙌🔴 #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/kD9GeOmvgd
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 24, 2021
04:33 PMUnited want us to remember that 1999 clash
📅 #OnThisDay in 1999, we played Liverpool in the #FACup fourth round...
🏟️ The venue was Old Trafford, and look who bagged the winner! 😍#MUFC pic.twitter.com/QV5qvUYR72
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 24, 2021
04:32 PMHere be Liverpool
While Liverpool want us to remember the 2012 Cup match
⏪ #FACup rewind ⏪
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 24, 2021
Goals from Agger and Kuyt helped us progress past @ManUtd back in 2012 🙌🔴 #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/kD9GeOmvgd
04:33 PMUnited want us to remember that 1999 clash
📅 #OnThisDay in 1999, we played Liverpool in the #FACup fourth round...
🏟️ The venue was Old Trafford, and look who bagged the winner! 😍#MUFC pic.twitter.com/QV5qvUYR72
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 24, 2021
04:32 PMHere be Liverpool
United want us to remember that 1999 clash
📅 #OnThisDay in 1999, we played Liverpool in the #FACup fourth round...
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 24, 2021
🏟️ The venue was Old Trafford, and look who bagged the winner! 😍#MUFC pic.twitter.com/QV5qvUYR72
04:32 PMHere be Liverpool
Here be Liverpool
Liverpool XI to face Man Utd: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, R Williams, Fabinho, Robertson, Milner, Thiago Alcántara, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Jones; Subs: Mané, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Tsimikas, Shaqiri, Origi, Phillips, Kelleher, N Williams
As with United Liverpool have made five changes. Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are back after being relegated to the subs bench against Burnley. They come in for Divock Origi and Sadio Mane. Curtis Jones and James Milner start in midfield in place of Xherdan Shaqiri and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. And at the back Rhys Williams replaces Joel Matip.
Both sides look fairly strong, dare I tempt fate and say we’re in for a cracker? Nope, shouldn’t say that so won't…
04:23 PMI present you with the Man Utd side
I present you with the Man Utd side
Man Utd XI to face Liverpool: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, McTominay, Greenwood, van de Beek, Rashford, Cavani; Subs: de Gea, Mata, Martial, Fred, Fernandes, James, Telles, Matic, Tuanzebe
Bar Fernandes being rested it looks like a full-strength side Solksjaer has gone with. Van de Beek gets a rare chance to impress from the start, with Cavani on from minute one Martial starts on the bench.
04:16 PMNostalgia time
Nostalgia time
Recently when these two sides face each other all hope that a classic may ensue has been well and truly kicked into Row Z by the half-hour mark - Exhibit A: last Sunday's 0-0 bore draw.
There was a time, however, when Manchester United facing their arch-rivals Liverpool produced exciting, end-to-end matches. Clashes that lifted the soul and reminded you why you love the game so much.
One such match that will remain long in the memory is the FA Cup fourth round clash in 1999 that saw United beat Liverpool with an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strike in the last minute.
Read all about the exciting ding dong here and why the scorer of the winner and current United boss wants his side to use it as motivation for the rest of the season.
04:01 PMLiverpool's turn to have a slump
Liverpool's turn to have a slump
This is the season of Covid-19, the season of no fans at stadiums, of Var controversy, and of every side succumbing to at least one dreaded slump.
At the moment it’s the turn of Liverpool to question what’s gone wrong with their season. Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Burnley not only ended a four-year, 68-match unbeaten record at Anfield but also, in some people’s eyes, their title defence. That may well be a bit hyperbolic - an annoying feature of modern-day football - but there is little doubt that all is not well with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool are without a goal in four Premier League matches and now find themselves six points behind Manchester United in the table, back in fourth place. Sometimes an FA Cup match can provide some welcome distraction, a chance to find those scoring boots and mojo and get back into the swing of things. Sometimes.
But today’s Cup clash is against none other than arch-rivals Manchester United and another defeat is unthinkable in terms of confidence, pride and trying to push back on the idea that there is anything approaching a crisis at Anfield.
Klopp has admitted he and his star-studded squad are trying work out what’s gone wrong and how to fix it.
“The last thing we are looking for are excuses,” he said. “On Thursday (against Burnley) we had 28 shots and six on target. I heard we had 90 shots in the last four games for one goal. That’s obviously a number we don’t want to have. We will talk the things through and try it again. If we can change it immediately on Sunday, I don’t know. But we will not stop trying, I promise.”
Liverpool last faced United all of 168 hours ago - a drab, instantly forgettable 0-0 draw at Anfield. The hosts may not have lost but the manner of their display more than hinted at the fact this Liverpool side isn’t the same one that thrilled their way to the title last summer.
Meeting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side again so soon may be a curse or a blessing. Win and the darkening mood will be instantly improved. Lose and the atmosphere becomes more bleak. Klopp will doubtless pick a strong starting line-up knowing that goals and victories are what his side need right now.
Stay here for all the team news, pre-match build-up and action.