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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hits out at VAR but hails side's resilience after late equaliser

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool and Adam Lallana of Liverpool look on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on October 20, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Klopp was left frustrated by the refereeing after Lallana rescued a point for Liverpool. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp vented his frustration at VAR after two major decisions went against his side in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring at Old Trafford as the hosts threatened to derail Liverpool’s 100 percent start to the Premier League season.

In the end, it required a late Adam Lallana tap-in to earn the visitors a point despite a late onslaught which might have seen them take home all three.

READ MORE: Liverpool drop first points of season as Adam Lallana rescues late draw against Manchester United

But the result was not without frustration though, with two VAR calls going against Klopp’s side in the opening half.

The first saw Rashford’s strike allowed despite replays showing a potential foul from Victor Lindelof on Divock Origi in the lead-up to the goal.

The second, less than eight minutes later, saw Sadio Mane’s equaliser ruled out for a handball.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford (left) scores his side's first goal of the game as Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson (centre) appeals during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rashford gave Manchester United the lead from close range. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
Liverpool's Sadio Mane (left) gets pasts Manchester United's Victor Lindelof to score his side's first goal before the goal is ruled out by VAR for handball during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
Mane equalised shortly after - but was denied due to a handball in the lead-up to his strike. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: VAR denies Sadio Mane of Liverpool's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on October 20, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Tom Purslow/Manchester United via Getty Images)
VAR overturned the goal and it required a late Lallana strike to earn a point for Liverpool. (Photo by Tom Purslow/Manchester United via Getty Images)

And Klopp was somewhat openly aggrieved by the decision to allow United’s goal.

He told Sky Sports: “The result is now OK. We have to be happy because we got the point. In the second half we had good moments, the first half I didn’t like. You have to pass the ball through the lines. The opportunities were there, we didn’t see them.

“But at the end they scored a goal which shows all the problems we have. For me it was a clear foul. It’s of course not cool. Then we scored a goal that was disallowed.

“Pretty much everything went against us today but we still didn’t lose.”

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was also left frustrated by the call, but rallied his side to shoulder some of the blame.

The midfielder said: “I think you know what the feeling was. I felt the referee gave a lot of those free-kicks today. But we’ve got to defend the ball better. It’s no excuse.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Adam Lallana of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on October 20, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Lallana's late equaliser saw Liverpool share the spoils. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“We’ve got to accept this, move on, take the positives and learn from the negatives.”

Henderson also praised former Southampton man Lallana for his potentially title-winning contribution, following the late equaliser.

He added: “I’m delighted for him because he’s worked so hard.

“He saved us with a point today and it could be a big point come the end of the season. We could have been better, we know that. If you can’t win, don’t lose.

“I thought it was quite scrappy first half, we weren’t fluid enough. Second half I think we caused them more problems.”

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