Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson believes Manchester United’s goal on Sunday should not have stood and that referee Martin Atkinson was giving the home side decisions at Old Trafford that his side were not afforded.
Marcus Rashford’s goal was controversial as it appeared Victor Lindelof had fouled Divock Origi in the build-up, before Daniel James whipped in a cross for the England striker to score.
The incident was referred to VAR but it was not adjudged to be an error serious enough to overturn and the goal stood, much to the dismay of the Liverpool players.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher on commentary believed it was a foul on Origi, as did Graeme Souness in the Sky Sports studio, and Henderson agrees, saying that similar incidents resulted in free-kicks for Manchester United over the afternoon.
‘I think you know what the feeling was [among the Liverpool players after Rashford’s goal] because you’ve seen our reaction to it,’ Henderson told Sky Sports.
‘I felt that the ref gave a lot of free-kicks for them, similar types of free-kicks, I felt that one was similar to one on Marcus that he did give.’
It was a difficult afternoon for Liverpool as they dropped points for the first time in the Premier League this season, although remain six points clear at the top of the table.
Henderson admitted that the Reds were below par at Old Trafford as United were much the better side during the first half.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were vastly improved in the second half and looked the more likely to grab a winner at the end of the match, but were far from their best over the first 45 minutes.
‘We could have been better today we know that,’ said Henderson. ‘Second half we were much better and wanted to go and win the game. If you can’t win, don’t lose.
‘It was scrappy first half, we weren’t fluid, we weren’t playing football at all.
‘We were better towards the end of the game, looking for a winner but we couldn’t find it.’
Liverpool’s struggles at Old Trafford continue as they have not won their since 2014, now going seven matches without a victory at the home of their old rivals.
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