Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool: 5 hits and flops as Bruno Fernandes free-kick settles intense contest | FA Cup 2020-21

Hit: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Salah stepped up for Liverpool tonight, netting a brace

It's no secret that Liverpool had been struggling for goals recently, having failed to score in four of the previous five games before this one.

All of them were in the Premier League, while the only occasion they managed to score during that run was against Aston Villa in this competition.

The misfiring Reds were on target again tonight in the same competition, with both strikes coming from none other than Salah, who's quietly been having a good season, despite struggling to be consistent.

19 - Mohamed Salah has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season, the joint-most of any Premier League player along with Harry Kane. Instinct. pic.twitter.com/IaOPvrwYAo

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 24, 2021

The Egyptian ace, who doesn't normally score against United, looked upbeat for the derby. He put the visitors ahead with a nonchalant chip above Dean Henderson, before levelling the game with an all-important equaliser.

Even though his best efforts didn't yield fruit as the Red Devils eventually progressed, Salah's brace could light up the spark in Liverpool's attacking vanguard which had otherwise struggled recently.

Flop: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Alexander-Arnold's poor run continued with another stinker

It's not often that you label Alexander-Arnold a flop, but the marauding full-back has been admittedly below his standards this season, and the trend continued with another poor showing from him.

He completed just five of his 10 long balls and didn't produce even a single accurate cross. Now that's worrying for a player who's made a reputation for delivering excellent crosses.

Make no mistake, there was urgency in his game as he drove forward to try and get involved offensively, but the output was bare minimum.

Rashford had a gala time going at him as the 22-year old couldn't keep up with him and also left plenty of gaps at the back for him at various points in the match.

Hit: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

This was vintage Rashford

After six games, Rashford was on target again, and he couldn't have found a better occasion to end his barren run.

The Manchester United number 10 slotted home a cool finish early on after the break to put the Red Devils in the lead, having also set up Greenwood for the equaliser with an unreal pass.

Marcus Rashford’s game by numbers vs. Liverpool: 38 touches 2 shots2 shots on target 2 fouls won 2 take-ons 1 chance created 1 goal 1 assist He scored and assisted in the same game for the second time this season. pic.twitter.com/GZyaF9cbzM

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 24, 2021

He was a constant threat for the Reds with his electric pace, outrageous dribbling skills, and intelligent movements, turning in one of his best performances of this season.

Also, this was his fourth strike against Liverpool at the Old Trafford in five appearances, the most he's managed against one single opponent at the venue. Streak.