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ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC scored a late dramatic header to salvage a point for Manchester United after James Milner gave Liverpool the lead from the penalty spot.

The Swede scored his 19th goal of the season when his header looped over Simon Mignolet after Marouane Fellaini hit the post seconds before.

 James Milner made no mistake from the spot
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James Milner made no mistake from the spotCredit: PA:Press Association

But United didn't make life easy for themselves after falling behind through James Milner following an error from Paul Pogba.


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The world’s most expensive player, who was continuously struggling to track Dejan Lovren on Liverpool’s set-pieces, lost his marker and his bearings as the ball struck his arm as he leaped for the header.

Milner kept his 100 per cent penalty conversion rate this season by drilling the ball past David de Gea who went the right way.

 James Milner has scored 10 from 10 penalties
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James Milner has scored 10 from 10 penaltiesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Simon Mignolet proved why he was keeping Loris Karius out of the side by pulling off a stunning save from Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s powerful free-kick moments later.

The Belgium then kept his side ahead once again when he stood firm to deny Henrikh Mkhitaryan when he was bearing down on goal.

 

 Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 19th goal of the season
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 19th goal of the seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Jose Mourinho wasted no time to changing things at half-time by introducing Wayne Rooney for Michael Carrick and the stage was set for the England man to become United’s record scorer.

 Simon Mignotlet made two solid saves to keep Liverpool's slender lead
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Simon Mignotlet made two solid saves to keep Liverpool's slender lead

But it was Liverpool who could have doubled their advantage on 62 minutes when substitute Philippe Coutinho played in Roberto Firmino whose shot was comfortably saved.

United piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes as they desperately seeked an equaliser and they were eventually rewarded with six minutes left on the clock when Rooney's cross was headed onto the post by Fellaini before the Antonio Valencia's return ball in was met by Ibrahimovic.

 Neither manager yet has the finished articles to challenge Chelsea
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Neither manager yet has the finished articles to challenge ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press

FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

  • There will have been split loyalties in the directors’ box as Liverpool Premier League debutant Trent Alexander-Arnold is United club secretary John Alexander’s nephew.
  • This was the 50th Premier League meeting between the two clubs and played at an intensity that has earmarked these fixtures down the years.
  • At times it seemed Liverpool had twice as many players on the pitch. No surprise given that their ‘Toxic Thunder’ bright lime shirts were the same colour as the Old Trafford stewards’ coats.
 Paul Pogba couldn't believe his error after conceding a penalty
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Paul Pogba couldn't believe his error after conceding a penaltyCredit: Getty Images
  • Michael Carrick has made a huge difference since coming back into the side but Liverpool’s forwards hounded him yesterday forcing his substitution at the break.
  • Former Manchester City star James Milner clearly loved his moment from the penalty spot and milked his goal in front of an irate Stretford End.
  • Simon  Mignolet has had his critics but he made two top class saves in the first half to keep out Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Herikh Mkhitaryan.
 Rooney came off the bench against Liverpool at half time
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Rooney came off the bench against Liverpool at half timeCredit: Reuters
  • Referees also get plenty of stick but credit Michael Oliver for spotting the handball by Paul Pogba which lead to the penalty
  • Talking of Pogba, he was sporting a strange green stripe in his hair which looked like some paint had come off one of the ‘Toxic Thunder’ shirts onto him.
  • Manager Jose Mourinho was clearly unhappy at the break as he headed to the tunnel before the action had finished. It normally signals a change is going to be made and on came Wayne Rooney and soon after Juan Mata.
  • The script was written for Rooney to get the club record 250th goal in this fixture but nowadays against top class opposition he just isn’t dangerous up front.
 Ibrahimovic came to United's rescue yet again
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Ibrahimovic came to United's rescue yet againCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Next five fixtures

Manchester United

21 Jan - Stoke (A) - PL

26 Jan - Hull (A) - EFL Cup

29 Jan - Wigan (H) - FA Cup

1 Feb - Hull (H) - PL

5 Feb - Leicester (A) - PL

Liverpool

18 Jan - Plymouth (A) - FA Cup

21 Jan - Swansea (H) - PL

25 Jan - Saints (H) - EFL Cup

31 Jan - Chelsea (H) - PL

4 Feb - Hull (A) - PL

 

BIG PICTURE

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SOCIAL SAYS

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Valencia 7, Jones 7, Rojo 6, Darmian 6 (Fellaini 76, 7), Pogba 5, Carrick 5 (Rooney 45, 6) Herrera 7, Mkhitaryan 7, Martial 6 (Mata 65, 6) Ibrahimovic 7

Subs not used: Romero, Smalling, Blind, Rashford

Booked: Herrera

 Emre Can is Dream Team's Star Man
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Emre Can is Dream Team's Star ManCredit: AP:Associated Press

Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Alexander-Arnold 6, Lovren 7, Klavan 7, Milner 7, Wijnaldum 6, Henderson 6, Can 8, Firmino 7, Origi 6 (Coutinho 61, 6) Lallana 6

Subs not used: Karius, Moreno, Stewart, Gomez, Ejaria, Sturridge

Booked: Wijnaldum, Lovren, Firmino

Goals: Milner (27) Ibrahimovic (84)

STAR MAN: EMRE CAN

WHAT THEY SAID

Man United boss Jose Mourinho speaking to BBC Sport: "Very exciting, even for the non neutral - for Liverpool fans and our fans they were enthusiastic until the last seconds. I didn't think the game had super quality.

"We were the team that attacked and Liverpool were the team that defended. Let's see if the critics are fair. I enjoyed it but I will obviously be disappointed we didn't get the three points."

 Liverpool players applaud the travelling fans after the game
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Liverpool players applaud the travelling fans after the gameCredit: Getty Images

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp speaking to BBC Sport: "A lot of people before the game would have thought we would get a knock today because United look like a rolling beetle and everything goes in their direction.

"It is so intense. They play long balls, it was a wild game. There was a lot of action in the last few minutes. We were here to win the game which is why we we are not 100% satisfied."

YOUR SAY

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