We talk about Man United finding a way to win but Liverpool found a way to lose.”
Roy Keane delivered a timely reminder to Liverpool, their players and their supporters, after Manchester United rallied from 3-2 down to win an FA Cup classic.
Ahead of the game, heavyweight boxing world champion Tyson Fury, who is a United supporter, told ITV, “Hopefully Man United can turn the clock back, and smash ’em.” Fury urged United to go all-out attack against Liverpool, and the players did just that.
United led 1-0 through Scott McTominay but went in trailing 2-1 at the break after two quick-fire goals. Roy Keane, up in the ITV studio, was a fan of United’s attacking approach but exclaimed ‘My God’ as replays rolled of the Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah goals that put his former side behind. “Just keep it tight,” he lamented.
Liverpool had United on the rack, for long periods of the second half, but could not find the killer goal. Antony was sprung from the United bench and equalised, late on, before Marcus Rashford squandered a late chance to win it. The game went into extra time and Harvey Elliott put Liverpool back in front, but United were not done.
112 minutes into an increasingly wild context, McTominay set up Rashford to equalise, then Amad Diallo swept home the winner, 121 minutes in, and was sent off for removing his jersey in celebration (a second bookable offence).
“United showed character and personality, we’ve not seen that for a while and it was very nice to see today,” Keane told ITV after the see-saw FA Cup quarter-final. “Liverpool controlled the game, but they were so sloppy with their passing. We’ve been so critical of United this season but Old Trafford is bouncing. An incredible game.”
“Man United were criticised a couple of months ago for going to Anfield for getting a 0-0 draw [and] for parking the bus. They didn’t park the bus today! Brilliant.”
That line was a timely reminder of Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk and his criticisms, at Anfield, when the sides drew 0-0 in the Premier League.
Roy Keane and Graeme Souness reflect on FA Cup quarter final
“It was mad, it was a mad game,” said Roy Keane, almost under-stating matters.
“We could be here analysing it all night. Klopp is a good manager, he’ll get these players back on track after the international break.”
On United, the former Ireland captain said, “It’s about today, a lot of players have never had Old Trafford bouncing like that. The feel-good factor for these players can be massive for the rest of the season.”
“When it’s 2-1 in 90 minutes and United kept breaking on Liverpool, you felt they could level it,” reflected former Liverpool captain and manager, Graeme Souness. “Liverpool needed another goal but they didn’t get it.”
FA CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW
- Coventry City vs. Manchester United
- Chelsea vs. Manchester City
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