Tranmere vs Manchester United LIVE: Result and reaction from FA Cup fixture today
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Manchester United thrashed third-tier Tranmere Rovers 6-0 on Sunday to join Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
A muddy and bobbly Prenton Park pitch looked the perfect stage for a shock but Tranmere were blown away as Harry Maguire's early thunderbolt settled any United jitters.
Tranmere had knocked out Premier League Watford in a replay on Thursday but apart from an early flurry of pressure they were never in Sunday's tie as United scored five times before the break.
Diogo Dalot, who like Maguire had not scored all season, made it 2-0 after weaving into the penalty area and delivering a fierce finish before Jesse Lingard curled a right-footed shot inside the post for only his second goal of the season.
Phil Jones got in on the act with a looping header from a corner, ending his own near six-year goal drought, before Anthony Martial added a fifth goal just before the break.
It was the first time since 2001 that United had scored five before halftime and they continued the onslaught after the break when Mason Greenwood converted a 56th-minute penalty.
Earlier, holders Manchester City beat Championship side Fulham 4-0 -- a task made easier as Fulham played virtually the whole game with 10 men after Tim Ream was red-carded for conceding a penalty converted by Ilkay Gundogan.
Bernardo Silva made it 2-0 and Gabriel Jesus scored twice after the break as City reached 100 goals for the season in all competitions, the first club to do so in Europe's top leagues.
Match preview
When is it?
The match will kick-off at 3pm on Sunday 26 January.
How can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1, with coverage beginning at 2.30pm.
Shrewsbury 2-2 Liverpool
82 mins: The momentum is all with Shrewsbury at the moment and it's Laurent again who's the driving force, barrelling down the right-wing before Larouci leaps in to make the clearance. The game is really opening up now.
Shrewsbury 2-2 Liverpool
84 mins: Again Liverpool are rocking. Larouci is bustled off the ball by the fantastic Laurent and after misjudging a ball flighted ball over his head, Williams is relieved to see the linesman's flag go up.
Udoh comes on to replace Whalley.
Shrewsbury 2-2 Liverpool
87 mins: Shrewsbury are appealing for a penalty after Love's cross flicks up and strikes Fabinho on the arm. It deflected onto him from such close range, though, and there was little the Brazilian could do to get out the way.
Shrewsbury 2-2 Liverpool
88 mins: Roberto Firmino has come on for Minamino. Almost immediately he's able to inflict a heartbreaking defeat on Shrewsbury, breaking into the box down the right, but the goalkeeper beats his under-struck shot away. The ball comes to a stop just outside the six-yard-box though and Jones charges in to slide home the rebound. But just as the teenager gets his foot to it, Williams hurls himself into the challenge to clear the danger and receives a bout of cramp for his efforts.
Shrewsbury 2-2 Liverpool
90 mins: Another smash and grab chance for Liverpool goes begging and this time it's Salah who's guilty. Firmino again runs free, picking Salah out in space with a chipped ball, but the Egyptian's glancing header streaks just wide of the far post. Shrewsbury's defenders are exhausted now and suddenly the momentum has turned.
Shrewsbury 2-2 Liverpool
90+3 mins: But suddenly Laurent breaks free down the right, Cummings is lingering at the back post, but rather than crossing the midfielder angles a shot towards Adrian's near post. He's so close to wrong-footing the goalkeeper, who just about manages to palm the ball away.
FT: Shrewsbury 2-2 Liverpool
And there goes the full-time whistle. What a performance from Shrewsbury's players, who did so well to come back after that gut-wrenching own goal at the start of the second half. Klopp called on his star players, but it was Laurent and Cummings who changed the game and Shrewsbury will treasure a return tie at Anfield. The players celebrate as though they've won and the fans are in ecstasy too, storming onto the pitch the minute the referee blows.
Shrewsbury may have gone five games without a win in League One, but they've held the European champions and runaway Premier League leaders at New Meadow.
Man-of-the-match Josh Laurent is speaking to BBC after the final whistle:
“It shows our character. But before the game we believed we could win it, never mind draw it. We’ve got great belief in that dressing room – the pressure was on them, not us. At half-time, the gaffer just told us to believe. He said we’d get chances and he was right. I can’t wait for the replay, unbelievable. It’s something everyone dreams of.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments