Manchester United demonstrated the grit and determination that has often been lacking under new manager Ruben Amorim, securing a hard-fought point at Premier League leaders Liverpool in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Manchester United, who were desperate to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat for the first time since 1979, shocked the home crowd by taking the lead just after the break. Lisandro Martinez powered home a header past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson following a corner, sending Manchester United fans into raptures.
But Liverpool, as expected, responded swiftly. Just seven minutes later, Cody Gakpo fired an exquisite angled shot beyond Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana to level the score at 1-1. However, the drama didn’t end there, with both teams battling fiercely for the win.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, Liverpool seemed to have turned the tide in their favor when a controversial penalty was awarded after Matthijs de Ligt was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box following a VAR review. Mohamed Salah stepped up and converted confidently, equaling Thierry Henry’s record of 175 Premier League goals.
Manchester United Show Resilience to Earn Draw at Anfield
It looked like Liverpool might hold onto the lead and snatch the win, but United refused to lie down. Amad Diallo, who had already scored a crucial winner at Manchester City earlier this season, proved his big-game pedigree again by finishing Alejandro Garnacho’s cut-back to make it 2-2 and restore hope for United.
As the match neared its end, Harry Maguire had a golden opportunity to steal a dramatic win for United. However, the England defender blazed a bobbled pass from Joshua Zirkzee over the bar from just 12 yards, ensuring that both teams would have to settle for a point.
Manchester United’s performance was a significant improvement from their recent struggles, and they can take enormous pride in their resilience. The side arrived at Anfield in the midst of a Merseyside blizzard, facing a Liverpool team that had been in imperious form and looked set to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points. Instead, United stood firm, matching their opponents blow for blow and looking just as likely to grab a late winner as the league leaders.
This performance was United’s best under Amorim, who deserves credit for making key adjustments to the team, particularly in midfield. The partnership of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte alongside Bruno Fernandes provided United with more control, allowing them to compete with Liverpool in the heart of the park.
Though Manchester United’s season has been marred by inconsistency, this result represents a major step forward. Amorim, who has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks, will find much to be encouraged about in his team’s fightback. The players, too, should draw confidence from the way they responded to Salah’s penalty, showing no fear and pushing hard for an equalizer.
While United’s resilience was clear for all to see, Liverpool’s standout player for the wrong reasons was right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 25-year-old has been the subject of intense speculation this week, with Real Madrid reportedly making a bold bid to sign him in January. Although Liverpool rejected the offer, the constant rumors have left many wondering about his future at Anfield.
Head coach Arne Slot has insisted that the speculation hasn’t affected Alexander-Arnold’s performances, but the defender’s poor showing against United told a different story. Manchester United frequently targeted his defensive vulnerabilities, launching several attacks down Liverpool’s right flank. Alexander-Arnold’s normally accurate passing was also wayward, and it was a misplaced pass from him that directly led to Martinez’s opening goal.
The equalizer for Manchester United also came down his side, with Diallo’s goal stemming from a poorly defended attack on Alexander-Arnold’s flank. The England international’s frustration was evident when he was shown a yellow card just minutes after Diallo’s goal, and his evening was cut short when he was replaced by Conor Bradley.
Despite the defensive lapses, Liverpool were fortunate to escape with a point, as Maguire’s late miss spared them from only their second league loss of the season. It wasn’t a vintage performance from Slot’s side, who were nowhere near the level of intensity and precision they’ve shown in recent weeks.
Liverpool will be relieved to still sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League, with a game in hand over second-place Arsenal. However, this was not a performance that will instill confidence in their ability to maintain that lead, especially given the improvement United showed.
While the point keeps Liverpool firmly in control of the title race, the lack of clinical finishing and defensive errors—particularly from Alexander-Arnold—will be a concern for Slot moving forward. United, on the other hand, can take heart from a resilient performance that showed they are beginning to turn a corner under Amorim, despite the disappointment of a missed late opportunity.
source – BBC
