Daniel Sturridge takes superb penalty after Memphis Depay's tug on Nathaniel Clyne

Renewing their rivalry in European competition for the first-ever time, Liverpool drew first blood against Manchester United in controversial fashion.

On Thursday, in the first leg of a tie between Liverpool and United in the Europa League's Round of 16, the Reds were awarded a penalty kick in the 19th minute, when Memphis Depay dragged back Nathaniel Clyne on the perimeter of the Red Devils' penalty area.

Replays showed that referee Carlos Velasco Carballo was correct to award the penalty as Clyne went down inside the penalty area, but there was also the question of whether or not Memphis actually clipped the English right-back.

Regardless, Daniel Sturridge stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards out, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead.

The goal continued Liverpool's Europa League trend of converting penalties.