Liverpool's dramatic 2-2 draw at Manchester United could come back to haunt them in the hunt for their first Premier League title in four years but manager Jurgen Klopp urged the club's supporters to remain calm.
Liverpool needed an 84th-minute equalizer from Mohamed Salah to escape from Old Trafford with a point, leaving them level on 71 points with leaders Arsenal after 31 games but trailing on goal difference. Holders Manchester City are third on 70.
"The whole Liverpool community just stay calm," Klopp said. "Now people will tell us 'They have the better goal difference, we have to go for that.' That would be the dumbest thing we can do."
Liverpool dominated the match, with Luis Diaz firing them ahead, and United having no shots on goal in the first half.
But then Bruno Fernandes scored a wild goal in the 50th minute when he latched onto Jarell Quansah's wayward pass, launching the ball into the net from the center circle. And Kobbie Mainoo, 18, fired a rocket into the far top corner in the 67th minute for a 2-1 lead.
Klopp refused to criticize Quansah and other players who made mistakes, saying they are the same ones "who have brought us to this point."
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United on May 11, and Klopp was asked if he will be rooting for United. "Probably, if we are still around," he said. "But Arsenal is a good football team and if they play like [their 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday], Arsenal will win. I'm 100 percent sure. I'm really sorry to say that, but this is matter of fact."
United boss Eril ten Hag said the performances of Mainoo and defender Willy Kambwala, 19, show that the club have a bright future.
REUTERS
Liverpool goalscorer Luis Diaz is tackled by Willy Kambwala at Old Trafford. AP
