By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Liverpool FC continued its recent poor run on Sunday, with a 2-3 FA Cup loss to traditional rival, Manchester United.
Liverpool drew the first blood in the 18th minute through Mohammed Salah in the highly thrilling encounter at Old Trafford.
Roberto Firmino found the Egyptian superstar in the smallest bit of space between Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof, but found a way to fit the ball in and put Salah one-on-one with Dean Henderson as he raced off his line to no avail.
Both clubs met at Anfield in a Premier League match that ended in a goalless draw seven days ago.
The Salah’s first half effort woke up the Red Devils, who responded immediately through Mason Greenwood’s clinical finishing.
It all started with a strong piece of defensive work from Paul Pogba as Firmino looked set to fire on Henderson’s goal. Pogba intervened and circulated the ball to launch a quick counter-attack, which culminated in Marcus Rashford expertly playing Greenwood in behind the Liverpool defense, and the 19-year-old was clinical with his finish from a difficult angle.
Greenwood returned the favour to Rashford, not even three minutes into the second half, to give Manchester United the lead. 19-year-old defender, Rhys Williams, was dispossessed inside his own defensive third and the Red Devils wasted little time in snatching the ball off him before Greenwood slipped the ball in behind for Rashford to slide the ball under Alisson for 2-1.
Liverpool quickly drew level at 2-2 after Harry Maguire played Edinson Cavani into trouble deep inside Manchester United territory.
All Cavani could do was play a high-risk, first-time sideways pass, which was quickly intercepted and sent forward. Eventually the ball fell to Salah for a simple, left-footed finish.
With 78 minutes on the clock, Bruno Fernandes, fresh off the bench 12 minutes earlier, provided the magical touch from 20 yards out.
With the 3-2 victory, the Red Devils advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Up next for Manchester United in the FA Cup will be a visit from fellow Premier League side, West Ham United.
FA Cup 5th round draw
The Red Devils will now host fellow Premier League side West Ham United at Old Trafford when the fifth round is played the week of Feb. 8.
Sixth-tier Chorley put up a valiant fight and gave Wolves all they could handle before eventually bowing out of the competition. Wolves are set for another all-Premier League tie as they take on Southampton, who beat Arsenal, at Molineux Stadium.
Leicester City dispatched plucky Brentford to set up a fifth round date and another all-Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. Everton – Tottenham is another potential all-PL tie, pending results still to be settled in the fourth round.