Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher took a cheeky swipe at Manchester United during their Boxing Day match against Aston Villa but it didn't quite go as planned.
Carragher labelled Liverpool's inability to defeat the Red Devils earlier this month as "their worst result of the season." He made this comment during the halftime break when Unai Emery's team held a comfortable two-goal lead, courtesy of John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker.
However, United significantly improved in the second half, levelling the score with a superb double from Alejandro Garnacho. They completed their comeback in the late stages of the game when Rasmus Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal after a 15-game drought. As a result, United now sit sixth in the table, trailing the league-leading Liverpool by 11 points. Aston Villa, on the other hand, are just three points shy of the top spot.
The earlier clash between Liverpool and United at Anfield saw widespread expectations of a Liverpool victory. Jurgen Klopp's side dominated the match, tallying 34 shots on goal and earning 12 corners, while United managed just six attempts on goal and no corners in comparison.
Liverpool were unable to breach the Red Devils' defence, resulting in a goalless draw in a one-sided game. Carragher reckons his previous team might rue this outcome by the season's end, especially after witnessing United's struggle against Villa on Boxing Day.
Carragher made his feelings known at half-time when Villa boasted a two-goal lead. He wrote on X: "Liverpool drawing at home to Man Utd is their worst result of the season."
But Carragher was left with egg on his face after United's comeback. Gary Neville waited until after Garnacho's equaliser to comment on the Boxing Day clash. "Brilliant second half, Manchester United," wrote the Red Devils legend on X.
Ten Hag, whose role is facing greater scrutiny after Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the club, will be aiming for his team to capitalize on this vital victory at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Hojlund, acquired by United for £72 million from Atalanta in the summer, had scored five goals during their brief Champions League run but hadn't managed to find the net in 16 domestic matches until his decisive goal here.
"Of course I've had several talks with him and every time I've pointed out he has scored for Denmark a lot, he has scored in the Champions League, he has demonstrated his ability so you can do it, believe," Ten Hag said of the 20-year-old Dane.
"I'm sure now he has the first goal he will score more. When a striker doesn't score it's a problem but he has a strong character, he is so solid, determined. He has a big personality. I think this is what a striker needs. When you keep investing, the goals will come."
