Every "double red meeting" between Manchester United and Liverpool will not lack topics and excitement, even if the two teams are not evenly matched at the moment.
In the 32nd round of the Premier League, Liverpool, which is competing for the title, meets Manchester United, which is competing for fifth. Liverpool proved themselves to be the stronger side with 62 per cent possession and 28 shots on goal, but United scored the same number of goals as Liverpool with just nine shots.
The two sides teamed up to put on a good game, but the 2-2 result left neither side happy. Liverpool relinquished top spot and Manchester United drifted away from Champions League qualification next season.
Both sides were not satisfied, but the game was exciting
Just two minutes into the game, Garnacho used a counter-attack to kick the ball into the Liverpool goal. Although the goal was offside, this attack and defense had already laid the groundwork for the subsequent development of this game.
Manchester United may not have many chances to score, but they are enough to pose a lethal threat to the Liverpool goal.
United's two goals, one came from a free chance and the other from a lesser-than-obvious one.
The most crucial and exciting of these two goals was the final shot on goal, with B Fei and Mainou respectively using their exquisite footwork to seize the fleeting opportunity to score.
On Liverpool's side, the two goals were much less fortuitous.
The first goal came from a corner. From the penalty to the running, ferrying, and shooting, it looks like it has been carefully designed and carefully rehearsed.
Although the second goal was a penalty, the cooperation before the penalty was made also reflected the ingenuity and tacit understanding of Liverpool's attack.
Apart from the four goals, most of the remaining goalscoring chances in the game belonged to Liverpool, and those chances were clear and reasonable.
Judging from the course of the game, Liverpool's strength is indeed superior. They have created far more chances than Manchester United and their approach to scoring has been easier to replicate in every game, so they can move 22 points clear of United in the table.
However, the result of this game was not the same as the scene. Liverpool squandered too many scoring opportunities and made very stupid mistakes, and United did a better job of taking their chances, resulting in a 2-2 result.
If you don't take into account the points ranking, such a result is not a loss for both sides.
At United's current level, a home draw with Liverpool is certainly a good result. As for Liverpool, it is not bad to take one point away from Old Trafford.
But they have to think about the current points situation. The game ended in a draw, with Liverpool relinquishing top spot to the table, while United continued to hold a big gap with Villa Hotspur in front of them.
The Red Devils became the Red Army's nemesis
Over the past few seasons, Manchester United have been on the underdog in their encounters with Liverpool, especially in the Premier League, where the Reds' disadvantage is very clear.
In the 19/20 season, Manchester United drew 1 and lost 1 against Liverpool (1-1 at home, 0-2 away).
In the 20/21 season, Manchester United drew 1 and lost 1 against Liverpool (0-0 away, 2-4 at home).
In the 21/22 season, Manchester United won 0 and lost 2 against Liverpool (0-5 at home, 0-4 away).
In the 22/23 season, Manchester United won 1 and lost 1 against Liverpool (2-1 at home, 0-7 away).
This season, Manchester United still failed to show their quality in the Premier League, but they have become a huge obstacle in Liverpool's title race.
In the Premier League, Manchester United drew with Liverpool (0-0, 2-2) and beat Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
In three "double red games" this season, Manchester United not only did not taste defeat but also had a slight advantage.
It is worth noting that while Manchester United have regained some confidence in their clash with Liverpool, they have struggled to withstand the attacks of Arsenal and Manchester City.
In the two legs of the Premier League, Manchester United only allowed Liverpool to get two points, but generously gave Manchester City six points (0-3, 1-3), and Arsenal have already given three points (1-3).
The second leg between Manchester United and Arsenal will have a direct impact on the title race.
In the last 7 games, who has the most advantage?
After Liverpool drew this game, they were overtaken by Arsenal in the standings and temporarily fell to second place.
So what is Liverpool's title prospects?
All three title contenders have seven games left (including one replay) and their remaining opponents are ⬇:
Arsenal: Aston Villa (H), Wolves (A), Chelsea (H), Tottenham (A), Bournemouth (H), Manchester United (A), Everton (H)
Liverpool: Crystal Palace (H), Fulham (A), Everton (A), West Ham United (A), Tottenham (H), Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H)
Manchester City: Luton Town (H), Tottenham Hotspur (A), Brighton (A), Nottingham Forest (A), Wolves (H), Fulham (A), West Ham United (H)
*The brackets indicate that the team contending for the championship is home/away.
Arsenal face Villa, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United. Don't look down on Manchester United and Chelsea, they both have big clubs and are certainly harder to play than the average mid-table team.
It is also worth noting that Arsenal will face Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. If it had been before, Arsenal could have gone out and focused on the Premier League, but now the problem is that they have a good chance of beating Bayern Munich, and if they reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, the next few Premier League games will be affected.
Although Manchester City will also face strong opponents in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and have a chance to go further, they are only left with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. With Manchester City's abusive strength, there is a chance to get full points in the last 7 games.
Liverpool do not have a Champions League task, the Europa League quarter-finals are not very difficult, and even if the Europa League goes to the end, it will not affect their concentration in the Premier League. Liverpool will face two strong teams, Tottenham and Villa, and the rest of the games will not be too difficult.
Conclusion –
Arsenal are at the top of the table, with a clear goal difference advantage, and the remaining fixtures are the most difficult, with four games being obvious points dropped.
Manchester City have the fewest points, but only one point less, and they are only one game away from the risk.
Liverpool and Arsenal are level on points, with a slightly lower goal difference and two of the remaining games being difficult.
Although Arsenal are currently in first place, their title prospects seem to be the least optimistic.
Liverpool and Manchester City each have the advantage. Liverpool have 1 more point, no Champions League pressure, and one more tough game than Manchester City. Manchester City are behind on points and will also be distracted by the Champions League, with the Premier League schedule being the least difficult.
Opta updates the probability of winning the championship, Manchester City is the first with 40%, Liverpool is second with 31%, Arsenal is third with 29%, and the Premier League title drama is the most optimistic?