Sunday started with Arsenal on top of the Premier League and that’s how it finished.
Liverpool visited Manchester United and took the lead in the 23rd-minute at Old Trafford, through Luis Diaz, to at least temporarily regain top spot in the league.
However Jarell Quansah served up a flat pass across the backline that United’s Bruno Fernandes lofted first-time into the Liverpool net in the 50th-minute, to make it 1-1. Soon after Kobie Mainoo made it 2-1 United with a sublime curled finish into the top corner of the Liverpool goal.
Mo Salah rescued a point with an 84th-minute penalty but it was not enough for Liverpool to regain first place. Arsenal are equal to Liverpool on 71-points but Arteta’s men have a significant goal difference of +9.
With Pep Guardiola’s City just a point back in third spot, there isn’t much room for error for either of the top three teams or managers.
Maybe that is why Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp after the draw at Old Trafford has resorted to something we haven’t seen much of since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho – mind games.
Asked if he would be pulling for Manchester United when they face Arsenal in May:
“Probably. If we are still around then that would be great. But Arsenal are a good football team. If they [United] play like today, Arsenal will win the game, I am 100% sure. I am sorry to say that.” (BBC)
Sorry Jurgen? Not.
Deliberate? Yes.
Klopp’s words are intended to make Arsenal over-confident while at the same time making United extra-motivated to get a result in that looming big match. Genius.
Can’t wait to see how this title tilt continues to unfold and if the mind games escalate.