Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool: 5 Hits and Flops | Premier League 2019-20

Liverpool's 17-match Premier League winning streak was abruptly ended by a defiant Manchester United performance on Sunday, though Adam Lallana's late equaliser ensured the Reds' unbeaten top-flight run continues after an unpredictable 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

The league leaders' sloppy start was compounded by more VAR controversy, as Divock Origi was fouled by Victor Lindelof in the build-up seconds before Marcus Rashford broke the deadlock.

United retrieved possession and on the counter, Daniel James delivered a great cross into the box for Rashford, outsmarting Joel Matip before converting beyond the returning Alisson. Despite a review, the decision to award a United goal stood and even after multiple replays showed a foul should have been given and the consequent finish overruled, play restarted.

VAR was again involved minutes before half-time, this time correctly overruling Sadio Mane's equaliser at the other end after a review. He handled the ball to control it under pressure from Lindelof, before also beating David de Gea from close-range.

Although the manner of their opener was dubious, United were the better side and deservedly in front at half-time. However, no team has scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of games than Liverpool over the past two seasons and Jurgen Klopp's tactical changes proved the trick late on as substitute Lallana levelled the scoring.

He couldn't miss after Andy Robertson's low cross was poorly dealt with by the hosts' backline, sluggish and caught ball-watching as the ball was fizzed across the area. Lallana duly punished them, netting his first league goal since May 2017 by doing so. Without further ado, here's a look at five hits and flops from a memorable 1-1 draw:

---

#5 Hit: Daniel James

James worked tirelessly, creating the assist for Rashford's opener before bursting into life

Largely quiet before the game's first flashpoint, Daniel James utilised his blistering pace and positioning to good effect as he left Wijnaldum for dead on the counter-attack before delivering a brilliant ball into the box for Rashford.

He made no mistake from close-range, but plenty of credit has to go to the Welshman. Energised by his involvement in the opener, James grew in confidence afterwards - despite being significantly roughed up by the overtly physical pair of Fabinho and Virgil van Dijk.

Despite only having 39 touches and featuring across a range of positions as Solskjaer tested with different formations throughout, he made two key passes, won six of seven duels contested while being fouled three times with one successful tackle over the 90 minutes.

Plenty has been said about United's shortcomings so far this term, though the 21-year-old winger has consistently impressed while providing energy and fearlessness in equal measure since his summer move.

#4 Flop: Jordan Henderson

Henderson didn't lead by example as a captain should

Despite an enthusiastic showing, Jordan Henderson flattered to deceive on this occasion and didn't lead by example like a captain is expected to with his teammates struggling to settle quickly.

Instead, it was Georginio Wijnaldum who seemed liveliest in a forgettable first-half display which saw a nervy Liverpool go behind as they were second best against an unpredictable United side who themselves have grossly underperformed this season.

Klopp's tactical change to a 4-4-2 didn't help matters after the break either, as Henderson cut a frustrated figure operating on the right-hand side of midfield - an unnatural role - where he looked lost. He spent more time growling at teammates and officials than helping get his side back into the thick of things.

Despite completing three tackles, two interceptions and one clearance, his crosses were not working and persistence didn't pay off either. Henderson lost possession 12 times, committed two fouls and only won four of 10 duels contested before being replaced by Lallana with 20 minutes to play.

Roberto Firmino also disapppointed, though club captain Henderson shoulders more responsibility and ultimately failed against an opposition he should've relished playing against.

#3 Hit: Andy Robertson

Despite a few hiccups, Robertson's defending was solid and he created the assist for Liverpool's late leveller

Robertson made one crucial sliding interception early in the first-half from a United set-piece and important tackle too, but those defensive actions would have gone unnoticed if not for Lallana's timely equaliser - which the Scotland international created himself.

He delivered his third assist of the campaign during another dependable display, one which wasn't without its hiccups but that is to be expected against a defiant United side who pressed hard from kick-off and didn't want to be on the receiving end of record-breaking history.

With four tackles, two interceptions and key passes (84.9% accuracy), it wasn't exactly the day for pinpoint accuracy into the box from the Liverpool fullbacks. However while Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled with his increasingly deep and inaccurate crossing, Robertson's persistence paid off as United were weary late on. He made them pay.

#2 Flop: Marcos Rojo

A late replacement for the injured Axel Tuanzebe, Rojo was shaky and rash when it mattered the most

It was all going well for Marcos Rojo, who emerged as a late replacement to start for Axel Tuanzebe who was injured in the warm-up. With less than ten minutes plus stoppages, United were closing in on a well-earned clean sheet. Instead, a sloppy moment of defending - with Rojo at the forefront - saw them relinquish the lead in rather underwhelming fashion.

Man-marking Lallana as Liverpool pressed forward, he charged forward to deal with Robertson's delivery after Harry Maguire was busy isolating Sadio Mane alongside him. The ball was fizzed into the box and as soon as it went through Lindelof's legs, he just froze.

He should have either stayed and nullified Lallana's threat or confidently pushed forward to clear his lines. He did neither and instinctively put his hands up, hoping for an offside that would rectify his mistake. Again, this showed why he wasn't initially trusted to start here, his composure and decision-making at crucial moments in games like these have been rather poor.

He made five clearances with a block and tackle too, though other match stats were alarming: losing possession 17 times, only completing 59.3% of his passes. The 29-year-old Argentine was fortunate to avoid a booking or worse after a cynical foul on Fabinho and his involvement in a moment of madness in the second half, which somehow went unpunished.

#1 Hit: Marcus Rashford

Rashford was back to his free-flowing best against a Liverpool backline who struggled against him

Despite some early tense moments marred by questionable decision-making in the final third, Rashford relished the battle against Van Dijk. Relentless out-of-possession, he made Joel Matip pay for sloppy positioning during the build-up to his controversial opener.

On another day, he would've had another. Beating two Liverpool players, racing 30 yards goalwards before watching on as his well-struck effort flew narrowly wide of Alisson's far post on a promising counter-attack, Rashford was left frustrated but this display was encouraging to say the least.

Full of running as he usually is, this was crucially useful movement which proved a real thorn against Liverpool's backline. They didn't want to deal with it and struggled for large periods once he got going in transition.

Plenty has been said about his stagnation, becoming predictable in recent seasons. With so much experience under his belt, despite still being 21, the added pressure of responsibilities as a senior player seems to have overwhelmed him. On this occasion, he led the line confidently with more promise than in previous weeks which is certainly a positive sign.

Rashford completed four successful dribbles, was fouled twice, won six of 14 duels contested with just 29 touches in 83 minutes but came up with a well-taken fourth league goal of the campaign before receiving a warm reception after being substituted for the returning Anthony Martial late on. There's plenty to be enthusiastic about, though now the question of consistency remains. Can he sustain these performances?