PREMIER League leader Liverpool was unable to extend its winning run to 18 games, but still took a point from its visit to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Adam Lallana’s 85th minute tap-in for Liverpool, canceling out Marcus Rashford’s first-half opener, meant United has now lost eight points from winning positions this campaign.

But United stopped Liverpool recording a Premier League record-equaling 18th successive victory, extending back into last season.

Small comfort perhaps when Liverpool is six points clear of defending champion Manchester City at the top of the standings and United is remarkably only two points above the relegation zone.

“We deserved the three points,” Rashford said. “I don’t think they did enough to get a draw or a win. Of course it’s disappointing. It’s obviously a big opportunity missed, a big game, a big occasion for players and fans and we just fell short.”

Still, it was the first time Liverpool had failed to win in the league since a draw with Everton in March.

“The result is good,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said. “It’s not what we wanted before the game. But the way it developed I feel we have to be happy.

“We had good moments in the second half but I didn’t like the first half, because we gave Manchester United opportunities to do what they wanted.”

This was a day when Liverpool struggled to impose itself on a United side low in confidence.

But Klopp’s second-half changes paid off. Lallana, who replaced Jordan Henderson around the hour, ghosted in at the far post to meet Andy Robertson’s cross for his first goal since May 2017.

It took Liverpool 35 minutes to test United goalkeeper David De Gea, with the weakest of shots. Sadio Mane surged down the right flank and centered to Roberto Firmino, whose shot lacked power and placing and was easily gathered.

Klopp was seething again before halftime when a VAR ruling went against Liverpool.

Mane had clearly used his left arm to control the ball and get round Lindelof before putting the ball through De Gea’s legs.

“Pretty much everything went against us today,” Klopp said. “But we still didn’t lose.”

But with Liverpool facing its first loss since a trip to Manchester City in January, VAR did clear Lallana’s leveler.

And Liverpool remains in a strong early position to dethrone City as champions, with Pep Guardiola’s side six points behind in second place.

(SD-Agencies)