Fernandes showed Liverpool what title challenge is missing in Man Utd chaos

Source: Mirror
Author: Mark Jones

MAN UTD 2-2 LIVERPOOL: The United captain saw his side hopelessly overrun during the first half and indeed for much of the second, but he remains a superb 'moments' player

Towards the end of this pulsating contest there was time for a brief exchange of views between Bruno Fernandes and Jurgen Klopp, with the Liverpool manager less than impressed at what he saw as time wasting antics.

Fernandes responded exactly how you'd expect him to, furiously gesticulating towards the Liverpool manager, and then Klopp, perhaps aware that none of this is really worth it in his last few weeks in the role, just laughed, turned towards the baying United fans and shrugged.

It was a standout moment between two of the primary actors in a gripping drama, and one that again showcased the demonstrable will to win - or draw, for that was a win for United here - that Fernandes loves to show his supporters.

The Portuguese was strongly linked with a move to join Klopp's Liverpool in the summer before he joined United, and it is tempting to wonder just what would have become of him if he linked up with a manager and a team which went on to be champions that year.

Now, he might just have stopped them repeating the feat. But not in his role as the leader of this United side, more as perhaps the ultimate 'moments' player there is.

Let's get this straight, Liverpool have leaders. They also have players who are willing to go to the well again and again. But they are also sometimes curiously unwilling to take a drink from that well when one is presented to them.

Bruno Fernandes' equalising goal was remarkable

At times in the first half it was too easy for a Reds side who racked up 15 shots at goal to United's none, and you didn't need a degree in irony to see what would happen when United did finally manage to have an attempt an goal. You didn't think it would come from there though.

Yes Jarell Quansah's pass was slack, and in that world Caoimhin Kelleher's positioning suddenly looks off, but the man for the moments seized that moment, and Fernandes' superb effort over the Irishman promises to go down as one of the... yes, moments of the Premier League season should Liverpool not lift the trophy.

Fernandes played superbly in the second half

The Reds are too guilty of passing up their moments when they have the chance to take them, and they really could learn a thing or two about that from Fernandes, who was then terrific for the remainder of the second half after being given the boost by the goal.

Seizing moments can do that to you, and Liverpool could do with finding that out.

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