2020-2021 FA Cup: Manchester United vs. Liverpool

(The Guardian) 24 min: Jones felled by McTominay, and a free-kick in a dangerous position. There’s a few candidates for this one, to be taken from the left-hand side. Trent takes, and it’s over. He still looks a little off it.

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25 min: Thiago and Rashford clash of heads. No, in fact, Thiago caught Rasha with his elbow. Accidentally, it should be added.

(The Guardian) Goal! Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool (Greenwood, 26)
Paul Pogba starts the move with a great tackle. Van de Beek to Rashford, whose pass goes all the way to Greenwood on the opposite flank. He doesn’t miss from there.

27 min: A fine goal from United, wholly against the run of play. Andy Robertson tried to put Greenwood off by shouting in his ear.

(The Guardian) 28 min: Van de Beek sent through by Rashford, and he falls down and cries out for a penalty. Liverpool’s players are not impressed by that.

(The Guardian) 31 min: Liverpool much the crisper in midfield still. Thiago leading that effort, and Klopp has been asking his players to give him the ball.

(The Guardian) 37 min: Shaw, who has been busy, now forces another United corner. He takes it and McTominay heads over. United are winning the ball every time at set pieces. That’s what happens when all your centre backs are crocked.

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39 min: Rashford falls over Thiago as he makes a burst on to the ball after another attack set up by a flying Shaw. United looking more confident now if still a little short of fluency.

(The Guardian) 44 min: McTominay escapes from Jones, Shaw gets to the byline, and the cross into the centre causes chaos. McTominay arrives on the scene and his shot is blocked by a raft of Liverpool defenders. It was numbers rather than organisation that kept him out.

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45 min+1: One minute added on in which Greenwood tees up Pogba to shoot wide.

(The Guardian) David Peru makes a serious point: “Why is no-one complaining about footballers hugging in couples and groups? Guidelines have been issued, yet there is no attempt to stop the practice by the match officials, the coaching staffs or even to mention it by commentators. Introduce fines or bookings and it will soon stop.”

--Robert Lin comes in praise: “Not a ManU fan but it’s nice to see Mason Greenwood back on the scoresheet. Hopefully he can push on from here and rekindle the form he showed last season.”

--Malc in Germany: “If this game gets abandoned because of bad behaviour (Ole slapping Jürgen, for example) would the replay be played behind closed doors?”

--And Mary Waltz: “I understand. The economic benefits of the Champions League and the PL title has relegated the FA cup to the sidelines. I know this is a business. But the romantic in me mourns this spitting on tradition and in the long run football is poorer for it. Some things shouldn’t be judged solely by spreadsheets and accountants.”