da poker： The Reds are likely to pay a heavy price at the end of the season for dropping four points against a rotten Red Devils side

da imperador bet： As Jurgen Klopp trudged towards the tunnel at Old Trafford, Manchester United's jubilant fans taunted the Liverpool boss by claiming he was "cracking up". Klopp didn't look broken, though, just bemused, still coming to terms with how his team had contrived to drop points against their biggest rivals for the second time this season.

Liverpool may have salvaged a point that moves them back level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table thanks to Mohamed Salah's nerveless late penalty – but this was, as Virgil van Dijk admitted, a draw that felt like a loss.

In his post-match interviews, Klopp remained calm. He tried to put a positive spin on things. It was one point gained, he argued, not two points lost. He managed to keep his emotions in check, though. Not once did he lose it. He didn't walk out of any interviews. He didn't lash out at the officials. And he also insisted he wasn't the least bit "angry" with his players for failing to win a game in which they had, as Klopp said himself, dominated United like never before.

He did, however, state that if Erik ten Hag's team perform just as poorly against Arsenal on May 11, the Gunners will win easily. Some interpreted that as a cheap shot at United. In reality, it was an admission of his own side's failings, which had once again been exposed by the most bizarre of bogey teams. Indeed, Liverpool's baffling inability to beat United could well cost his team the title.

Getty 'Superior in all aspects'

When Liverpool had failed miserably to break down a United side that had parked the bus at Anfield in December, a bitterly frustrated Van Dijk lashed at the visitors' negative tactics. "There was only one team trying to win the game," the Dutchman whined. "We were superior in all aspects, they were hoping to hurt us on the counter and they are buzzing with a point."

It was telling, though, that after Sunday's demoralising draw, Van Dijk acknowledged "It is our fault – again" – because the Reds really have nobody but themselves to blame for thrice failing to beat probably the weakest United of the Premier League era.

Across the two league games, Liverpool averaged 65 percent possession and had 62 attempts on goal (to United's 15) – and yet didn't win either encounter. Whatever about the folly of getting knocked out of the FA Cup quarter-finals by such a flawed and erratic side, dropping four points against a team that haven't taken any off City or Arsenal is utterly unforgivable.

AdvertisementGetty 'Better than losing'

All is not lost, of course. There are still seven rounds remaining and just one point separating the three title-chasers. Harvey Elliott – who once again made a massive impact off the bench, winning the penalty from which Salah levelled matters – accepted in an interview with his club's official website that while Liverpool should have won, they "showed unbelievable fight and courage to come back, to stay level-headed, stay in the game and get the equaliser. We wanted the three points – there's no doubt about that – but a point is better than losing."

There's certainly no disputing that fact. A defeat would have been disastrous and the players should be proud of yet another late rally. Liverpool's resilience really is remarkable. They have claimed more points from losing positions than any other team in this season's Premier League. For that reason alone, they cannot be written off.

Each and every single member of the squad will clearly fight right until the death to win the title – and give Klopp the winning send-off he richly deserves for the remarkable work he has done at Anfield over the past nine years.

GettyJota to the rescue?

Liverpool will also soon be lifted by the return of some key players from injury, including Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota. Caoimhin Kelleher and Conor Bradley have both done amazing jobs standing in for Alisson and Alexander-Arnold, respectively, but there's no denying that "Jota the slotter" has been sorely missed.

The Portuguese forward is unquestionably the best finisher in Liverpool's squad, so his comeback cannot come soon enough for a team that has missed more big chances than anyone else in the Premier League this season.

Truth be told, it's a wonder that Liverpool are even in such a terrific position to challenge for the title, given the extent of their injury issues and the fact that the midfield was completely overhauled last summer.

Getty Missed opportunities

However, failing to win the league would still be terribly tough for Liverpool to take, for a variety of reasons. The farcical VAR mix-up at Tottenham remains an open wound, while some major calls went against the Reds in both of their home games against Arsenal and Manchester City.

Again, though, Liverpool had more than enough clear-cut chances to beat both of their title rivals, and the mounting fear is that the Reds are going to end paying a heavy price for their profligacy – particularly against United.

Jarell Quansah's mistake may have completely changed the game – and atmosphere – at Old Trafford, but it should have been over long before then. Liverpool racked up 15 unanswered shots in the first half. Dominik Szoboszlai had four alone and an impressively sweet striker of a ball will probably still be trying to figure out how he managed to miscue his shot so badly after being picked out by Andy Robertson in a central position no more than 10 yards from goal.

Still, while Liverpool are entitled to expect far better from the midfielder, it was Liverpool's forwards who let them down at Old Trafford.