There’s been some pretty famous goals in this fixture. Remember Juan Mata’s piece of Olympic Gold medal-winning brilliance at Anfield back in 2015, Manchester United ruining Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool farewell in stunning style?
Recall Anthony Martial’s weaving, wonderful debut goal later that very same year? That Rafael da Silva volley, that Wayne Rooney screamer, that John O’Shea stoppage-time surprise?
In truth, both of the goals Manchester United scored on Sunday afternoon – the Red Devils ripping up the form book to take two more points off Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasers – will not look out of place amongst the very finest finishes in this iconic old fixture.
Bruno Fernandes, channelling his inner-David Beckham, Edinson Cavani and Scott McTominay, pinged past Caoimhin Kelleher from inside the centre-circle after a misplaced Jarrel Quansah pass. A captain’s moment during a performance that, until then, looked destined to be remembered as one of the skipper’s worst in that famous red shirt.
And as for Kobbie Mainoo, the 18-year-old doesn’t shoot often. But, when he does, they usually stay hit. His first Old Trafford goal – and his third of a fabulous breakthrough season – had even the glowering Roy Keane breaking into a smile at full-time.
Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo score stunners
“It’s a tough game for him, (and) obviously he’s done well. It’s a very good Liverpool team. He’s still learning, still not there with the set pieces but he’s doing better,” the Man United legend tells Sky Sports of Mainoo.
“Scored one wonderful goal and it’s just now about how he copes with the expectations he’s had over the last few months with playing for England.”
Forget about his twinkle-toed footwork or his ‘remarkable’ reading of the game. Mainoo is an old head on young shoulders, and that mature, unflustered mindset probably represents his best chance of wringing out every single ounce of that potential.
Manchester United starlet earns Roy Keane praise
“(Mainoo) seems like a really nice kid, got lots to learn and he’ll only get better from these experiences,” Keane adds. “Scored against Liverpool. I know he’s talking about not winning the game but you can see he’s delighted to have scored, even if it wasn’t the winner.”
Was this Mainoo’s best goal for Man United? That’s a question bound to cause debate.
It is only two months since the teenager weaved his way through the Wolves backline before curling a 97th minute decider past Jose Sa at Molineux, after all? And while that maiden senior strike against Newport County in the FA Cup won’t be remembered quite so vividly, there was something devastatingly efficient about the way Mainoo whipped an almost instinctive hit into the far corner while barely breaking stride.
“I mean, of course, it’s an unbelievable feeling. First professional Old Trafford goal. And to do it in this fixture is also amazing,” said Mainoo, typically level-headed in his post-match reaction with the Man United website.
“But, as I say, at the end of the day, we don’t walk away with the three points. So I can’t be too happy.”