How Manchester United crushed Liverpool's quadruple dream in seven-goal thriller

Jurgen Klopp has developed quite the knack for making everyone associated with Manchester United feel utterly miserable and downtrodden during his nearly decade-long stint at Anfield. Since his arrival, the Liverpool manager has consistently inflicted pain on the Red Devils, unmasking their deficiencies and handing them devastating horrors.  

Whether it was ruthlessly dispatching them from the European tournament, delivering a resounding 5-0 thrashing in the domestic league, or subjecting them to a scandalous 7-0 ignominy, the German tactician, who has announced that he will step down at the end of the season, has always managed to twist the knife and remind United of the arduous task of reclaiming their former glory.

Is it any surprise then that when the final whistle blew, marking the end of a pulsating 123-minute FA Cup quarterfinal showdown at Old Trafford, Liverpool fans found themselves frozen in disbelief amidst the tumultuous and unrestrained scenes that followed? 

The turning point came when United youngster Amad Diallo netted the decisive goal in stoppage time during extra time, only to have his moment of triumph dampened by a second yellow card for removing his shirt in celebration. It was a fitting representation of the entire spectacle, a monumental clash of seven goals that unfolded in a chaotic and frenzied fashion.

United's determination to turn their fortunes around was evident from the very beginning, as they made a blistering start, grabbing an early lead. Scott McTominay displayed his predatory instincts by bundling the ball home from close range in the 10th minute, capitalizing on Alejandro Garnacho's shot that was initially parried by Caoimhin Kelleher. United continued to press, with McTominay denied once again by Kelleher in a close-range effort.

However, the tide quickly turned as Liverpool staged a comeback, scoring two goals in just three minutes right before half-time, leaving United shell-shocked. The equalizer came from Alexis Mac Allister, whose shot took a fortuitous deflection off Kobbie Mainoo, catching United off guard. The hosts paid the price for their sloppy defense, allowing the impressive Jarell Quansah to surge forward unchallenged and set up Darwin Nunez for the go-ahead goal. The sudden turn of events left United scrambling to regain control of the match.

Mohamed Salah, a constant tormentor of United, swiftly struck yet again, notching his 13th goal in 14 encounters against them. This time, he found the back of the net after Andre Onana parried a shot from Nunez. Despite Liverpool having the upper hand in terms of opportunities after the break, substitute Antony managed to restore parity for United with a well-placed low shot in the dying moments of normal time. However, the pivotal moment arrived when Rashford inexplicably squandered a golden opportunity by steering a simple finish wide, denying United the chance to claim a sucker punch.

In a thrilling twist of events, Liverpool's substitute Harvey Elliott stepped up to the plate and put his team back in the lead after over 100 minutes of intense action. The 20-year-old English star unleashed a powerful long-range shot that took a deflection off Christian Eriksen, causing the ball to curve out of reach for Onana. At that moment, it seemed as if United's hopes were fading away. But Rashford, determined to redeem himself after his earlier miss, came through once again with an equalizer, setting the stage for a sensational finale.  

While the future of United manager Eric ten Hag could never be determined solely by the outcome of a solitary match, there is no denying that this astonishing result owes much to the Dutchman's ability to transform a dire situation into a resounding triumph with his audacious substitutions.

As United relentlessly pursued a comeback, Ten Hag fearlessly altered the team's tactics, deploying a makeshift back three composed of Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, and Bruno Fernandes during the last stages of extra time. This bold move proved instrumental as Liverpool lost their way amid the chaos caused by United's tactical reshuffle. 

Although this win cannot fully mask United's underwhelming season, it indeed showcased the unity and fighting spirit that ten Hag's players summoned, silencing the persistent doubts that had plagued them throughout the campaign.

Liverpool and Klopp will have to come to terms with the fact that their dreams of securing four trophies have come crashing down. They may contend that the FA Cup held a lower priority compared to their other ongoing competitions, particularly after already clinching the League Cup. However, this defeat will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on their psyche. While United may not have usurped Liverpool's dominant position, this loss serves as a reminder that even the mightiest of teams could be vulnerable to unexpected wobbles.