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Liverpool dump rivals United out of Europe

Cape Town - Philipe Coutinho earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Thursday as Jurgen Klopp's men recorded a 3-1 aggregate victory to progress into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Liverpool entered the second leg at Old Trafford two goals to the good after last week's victory at Anfield over the Red Devils.

Jesse Lingard had the first chance of the evening just before the twenty-minute mark for Louis van Gaal's men after a looping delivery found the forward free in the area.

Lingard out jumped James Milner to guide a header goalward from close range but keeper Simon Mignolet was equal to it and produced a fine save to keep the effort at bay.

United sensed the pressure as the decibels rose around Old Trafford with Juan Mata and Anthony Martial seeing efforts fly just past Mignolet's woodwork in quick succession.

David De Gea though, produced a magnificent stop from a Coutinho shot as the Spaniard flung himself down to his left to ensure United stayed within touching distance of their rivals.

The save proved vital as Nathaniel Clyne bundled over Martial in the box just minutes later leaving little option for referee Milorad Mazic but to point to the spot.

The Frenchman hauled himself up to convert the spot kick on the half hour mark and lift the spirits of the home fans.

Daniel Sturridge fired a warning to United though, as he struck a free-kick from the left which rattled De Gea's bar in emphatic fashion.

The warning went unnoticed as Klopp's men hit back just a minute from the break as Coutinho carried the ball down the left into the United area and cleverly dinked De Gea to restore the two-goal cushion at the half.

United started the quicker of the two sides following the break with Liverpool happy to sit and soak up any pressure Van Gaal's men looked to impose.

The Red Devils continued to press and look for an opener but failed to test Mignolet in the visiting goal in any real threatening manner as the second half fizzed out.

Despite both sides making a number of changes neither team could add to the scoreline as Liverpool progressed through to the quarter-finals and became the first English side to knock out United in European competition.

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