Good evening one and all and welcome to our live coverage of the Europa League second-leg tie between Manchester United and Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side lead 2-0 on aggregate heading to Old Trafford and can heap more pressure on Louis van Gaal by dumping United out of the competition.
It’s all set-up for an intriguing evening. Kick-off is at 8.05pm.
Right, let’s get straight to it.
Man United have made two changes to their side from last week’s first leg with Michael Carrick and Jesse Lingard replacing Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have made just one enforced change with James Milner replacing Alberto Moreno.
The England international will slot in at full-back after Moreno picked up a hamstring problem in training on Wednesday evening.
Which way do you see this one going? Can United overturn the two goal deficit or will Liverpool’s first-leg lead prove unassailable? Let us know your thoughts via the comments section below.
Cracking atmosphere at Old Trafford as kick-off approaches. Put the kettle on, get another round in or make yourself comfortable on the couch.
The teams are convening in the tunnel. Not much eye contact between the two sets of players. We’re all set.
Both sets of players line-up for the Europa League anthem. Does anybody know what that even is? Anyway, the formalities are nearly done and we’re all but ready for the action.
Kick-off! We’re underway at Old Trafford as Liverpool set the ball rolling.
Electric atmosphere inside the Theatre of Dreams in these opening exchanges. United seeing most of the ball and it is they who will have to do all the running tonight after last week’s 2-0 defeat.
What United would give for an early breakthrough – but they can’t throw too much caution to the wind as Liverpool have the attacking prowess to hit them on the break.
You feel patience will be key for the hosts this evening. On that occasion, Mata went for the spectacular pass when the simple option was to retain possession and play it infield to Lingard.
Marcos Rojo proved to be a valuable attacking outlet for United at the weekend against West Ham and he’s started in the same fashion here. A purposeful result earns his side a throw-in but the referee then penalises Fellaini.
Liverpool ask a couple of questions of the United defence as Milner’s cross forces Smalling into action. It’s been a solid start for the visitors.
The Belgian caught Roberto Firmino in the last passage of play.
United try and force their way through as Liverpool squander possession in a dangerous position and Mata pounces. He looks to combine with Rashford but Clyne gets back to clear the danger.
It’s certainly lively but not a lot of quality on show so far. Both teams gifting possession back to each other and it’s all a bit rushed from United, in particular.
Klopp will be pleased with what he’s seen so far.
CHANCE! Out of nothing, United should really be ahead. Milner is caught off guard at the back post and Lingard steals in to get on the end of a looping ball.
The winger gets power on his header but he can’t direct it and Mignolet does brilliantly to tip it around the post.
MISS! Oh he’s got to score….Liverpool don’t really deal with the corner and it eventually falls to Mata, who snatches at his volley from close range and the chance is gone.
The game has suddenly come to life after 18 tense minutes.
Great run from Martial as he and Rashford link up well on the right. The former skips inside Clyne on his favoured right foot but his effort is high and wide. More encouragement for the home fans.
Liverpool suddenly look vulnerable defensively as Martial springs into life. The Frenchman, who enjoyed a memorable debut against the Reds earlier in the season, is causing Clyne all sorts of problems.
On that occasion, there were just enough bodies for Liverpool to thwart Rashford after Martial’s cut back. At the other end, Coutinho has acres of space but his touch is heavy and the chance is gone.
No breakthrough for United yet but they’re on top.
SAVE! Superb from De Gea as he gets down low to get a strong hand on Coutinho’s firm drive. Nice build-up play from Liverpool and the ball falls to the Brazilian on the edge of the area but the goalkeeper is equal to it.
Penalty! Martial is tripped by Clyne and the referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Liverpool (Martial)
And the Frenchman dusts himself down to step up and convert past Mignolet.
Aggregate: Man United 1-2 Liverpool
Liverpool looking for an instant reply. Blind is booked for bringing Daniel Sturridge down on the edge of the area. Dangerous position for United here.
Off the bar! Sturridge whips in the free and it beats everyone but comes back off the bar. It really is game on now.
United are knocking on the door again. Rashford runs at the Liverpool defence with pace and Milner is completely out of his depth at left-back. The United teenager gets to the byline but his cross is just caught out before it reached a red shirt.
It’s lived up to the billing so far.
What a miss! Henderson has the chance to put Liverpool back in the driving seat but he fires over with only De Gea to beat. Big, big moment in the match and tie but the skipper blasts over.
It really should be 1-1. Liverpool have had a couple of really clear-cut chances but they haven’t been able to convert.
At the other end, Coutinho goes into the books for hauling Lingard down but Mata’s free-kick is poor.
And now Rojo should score! Credit to Fellaini for hooking a deep ball back across goal and the defender gets on the end of it but can’t direct his effort on target.
GOAL! Man United 1-1 Liverpool (Coutinho)
Liverpool have landed the sucker punch, moments before half-time. Coutinho collects the ball on the left and skips past Varela and somehow scoops it over De Gea from a tight angle.
The Reds are back in the driving seat and lead 3-1 on aggregate with an all-important away goal.
Half-time! And Coutinho’s goal was literally the last action of the half.
Just about catching our breath after an absorbing 45 minutes of football – and with the last kick of the half Philippe Coutinho has turned this tie on its head again.
Do United have another response? They now need another three without reply.
Exquisite.
Van Gaal has hooked Varela off at the break and on in his place for this second-half is Antonio Valencia.
Back underway as United look to attack the Stretford End straight away. They need three goals in this second period or else they’re going out of Europe at the hands of their biggest rivals.
Fellaini is booked for catching Lovren with his elbow and should United progress, he’ll miss their next game in this competition.
And now Clyne goes into the book for taking Rashford down on the edge of the area. Carrick stands over it.
He drills it in low towards the front post but Milner is there and clears it. United pushing for an early breakthrough.
Liverpool look dangerous on the break and Daniel Sturridge squared Blind up on that occasion but couldn’t get past the last line of defence.
Perfectly-timed challenge from Sakho to close the door on Rashford after Liverpool had initially failed to clear their lines. United have been lively but no way through since the break.
Chance! Carrick sends a ball deep into the Liverpool box and Fellaini is on the end of it but he can’t get enough purchase on it and heads it straight at Mignolet. He really should have done better.
It’s not looking very good for United.
Brilliant from Coutinho again as he skips past four United defenders and lays it off for Sturridge. The England international brings it onto his weaker right foot and his effort is wild.
Meanwhile, van Gaal has made his second change with Rojo making way for Darmian.
First change for Klopp as Origi comes on for Sturridge. Liverpool comfortably heading towards the next round now.
Final change for the hosts as Michael Carrick is withdrawn and on in his place is Bastian Schweinsteiger. Perplexing from Van Gaal. He’s brought on two defenders and a holding midfielder when you need three goals and Memphis is sitting on the bench.
Fellaini fires over again when the opening presents itself. The Belgium was leaning back and he snatched at it. Meanwhile, Henderson has headed down to the tunnel with Joe Allen coming on inn his place.
Liverpool look to finish it off as Coutinho tests the handling of De Gea.
Liverpool finishing strongly now and Coutinho forces De Gea into another smart save.
Liverpool now coasting with just nine minutes remaining. Home fans beginning to head for the exit.
Firmino is making way for Christian Benteke as the away fans find their voice at Old Trafford.
Two minutes of added time for United to endure.
Full-time! And it’s Liverpool who advance to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Thanks for joining us this evening. Full report and reaction to follow shortly.
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