Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott reacted in similar ways after the final whistle against Manchester United yesterday.
Sometimes you don’t always get what you want. Football is perhaps the best teacher of that reality.
Life can be cruel, people are fallible and make mistakes. Yesterday, all of that was true for Liverpool.
No matter how hard the Reds tried, they just couldn’t finish off their chances. And they struggled to be solid enough to contain Manchester United’s counter attacks at the other end.
Those errors cost Liverpool. Although it could have cost them even more if it wasn’t thanks to a brilliant run into the box by Harvey Elliott to draw a foul and win a penalty.
But in the end, it’s two points dropped in the Premier League title race, which means once again Liverpool’s fate has slipped from their control. It’s now in Arsenal’s hands, which will be bitterly disappointing.
What Harvey Elliott and Alexis Mac Allister did after the full time whistle
Liverpool will only have themselves to blame. The Reds created plenty of chances, but they simply weren’t clinical enough in front of goal.
That is what ultimately cost them not just in this game, but against Manchester United in the FA Cup last month as well.
And in reality, in a bunch of other games such as Luton Town away and other draws that should have been converted into wins.
The disappointment was evident on the faces of all the Liverpool players after the match. But perhaps more so on two of Liverpool’s best players on the afternoon.
Alexis Mac Allister produced another solid performance. Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott made a cameo appearance that was superb and even caught Jamie Carragher’s eyes.
According to The Athletic Mac Allister dropped to his haunches after the final whistle, meanwhile Elliott lay on the ground and pounded it with his fists.
Both were clearly very frustrated by the result.
Why Liverpool have cause for optimism
Liverpool are still level on points with Arsenal, who have the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa to play at home in the Premier League. Meanwhile, away they still have to take on Tottenham and Manchester United.
Those are all games where Arsenal could easily drop points, so the title race definitely isn’t over yet with seven games to go.
Liverpool’s own schedule is difficult as well. However, for now, all they can do is concentrate on themselves.
Dropping two points is disappointing for the Reds, but it’s not the end of the world.