Liverpool travelled to the home of their most vaunted rivals and were minutes away from securing all three points, but a Zlatan Ibrahimovic header in the 84th minute rescued Manchester United.
Liverpool appeared to be in control thanks to a series of great saves from the oft-criticized Simon Mignolet on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic and an inexplicable handball from Paul Pogba while defending a corner.
James Milner dispatched the resulting penalty with a powerful effort from the spot in the 27th minute.
Liverpool strike first with Milner PK #PLonNBC pic.twitter.com/WqcnPFTrHC
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 15, 2017
There were chances for both sides as the dangerous Philippe Coutinho was introduced in the second half, only for both David De Gea and Mignolet to frustrate the opposition. Jose Mourinho threw on Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini in search of an equalizer, and it arrived in the 84th minute.
A looping header from Fellaini struck the post, and the ball eventually made its way back into the danger area with Ibrahimovic guiding a header off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.
You should have know that Zlatan would save the day for #MUFC #PLonNBC pic.twitter.com/MYJbyKhFzy
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 15, 2017
With the inclusion of added time, it was a frantic final 10 minutes - including some sideline antics involving Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp - that ended with the scores still level at 1-1. The final result ultimately benefits Chelsea — the London club have expanded their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
Manchester United’s point means they’re still within four points of fourth place.
