VAR decision ends the winning streak of Liverpool: Talking points from the game

Manchester United couldn’t succeed in winning the match but they did more damage as they ended the 17 games winning streak of Liverpool.

Before the beginning of this match, everybody anticipated that the reds would score a lot of goals and that might lead to the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer. The Red Devils, however, had a different plan and VAR helped them as the foul on Origi created the first goal of United.

The drama didn’t end here as Liverpool’s goal got disallowed by VAR. The Reds, however, didn’t lose hope and their second-half domination led to the equalizer.

This game witnessed some nerve-wracking and frustrating moments. Let’s have a look at few of them:

3) Liverpool fall short of the record

Nobody thought that Manchester United would be able to stop Liverpool, however, they surprised everybody with their performance and ended the winning streak of Liverpool.

The Reds had 17 matches winning streak and could have equalized Manchester City’s 18 consecutive wins record but fall short of it. This remarkable winning run of Liverpool started last season, however, now it’s ended, and it will take some time to come close to the Citizens.

Also, with this draw, Liverpool extended their drought at Old Trafford as their last victory came back in 2014 at the Theatre of Dreams.

2) Is VAR fair?

This fixture will always be remembered for the Visual Assistance Referee. There were two occasions when the referee had to get the help of VAR. Both of them came in the first half of the match.

Liverpool looked quite furious after a foul on Divock Origi led to the first goal of Manchester United that changed the final result of this match.

A foul from Victor Lindelof on Origi helped United in winning the ball and a brilliant cross from Daniel James ended at the back of the net after a final touch from Marcus Rashford.

Also, after this United goal, VAR disallowed Liverpool’s goal, which was a correct decision as the ball touched the hand of Sadio Mane before ending at the back of the net.

According to the directives, VAR can review the incidents of the same phase of play. Foul on Origi was the build-up to the goal, but why the referee didn’t disallow it? This is the reason why people have kept pointing fingers on technology.

Sometimes it has saved few clubs and other times it costed a crucial win to the football clubs.

3) The Super-sub – Lallana

In the 71st minute of the game, Jordan Henderson was subbed off for Adam Lallana. The Liverpool midfielder’s entry changed the game completely. As soon as he entered the pitch, the Anfield outfit started dominating the game and kept pushing towards the United goal.

This repetitive pressure on the United defense led to the mistake of the Red Devil’s defensive line that ended their chance of winning this fixture.

In the 85th minute, a steady cross from Andrew Robertson went past all the United defenders and found Lallana who made a conservative run to the back post of the goal. The Liverpool midfielder sliced the ball past David de Gea and salvaged a point for his side.

This was Lallana’s first goal for Liverpool since May 2017 and what could be a perfect time than this.

Cover picture credits: The Independent