Under the leadership of new manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United displayed a level of determination and grit that had been lacking recently.
Under the leadership of new manager Ruben Amorim, Manchester United displayed a level of determination and grit that had been lacking recently, securing a valuable draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
On the verge of a fourth consecutive league defeat—a feat not seen since 1979—United stunned Anfield by taking the lead in the 52nd minute. Lisandro Martinez struck a powerful shot that soared past Alisson, setting the tone for an intense match.
Liverpool responded quickly, with Cody Gakpo equalizing just seven minutes later through a perfectly angled drive. Mohamed Salah appeared to seal the win for the home side, converting a penalty in the 70th minute after a VAR review ruled a handball against Matthijs de Ligt. This goal brought Salah level with Thierry Henry's record of 175 Premier League goals.
United, however, refused to capitulate. Amad Diallo, fresh off his heroics against Manchester City, slotted home a crucial equalizer from Alejandro Garnacho's assist. In the dying moments, Harry Maguire had a golden opportunity to secure all three points for United, but his effort from 12 yards flew over the bar.
Despite arriving at Anfield under challenging weather conditions and low expectations, United delivered a performance full of resilience and determination. Amorim’s tactical adjustments, including the effective midfield pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte alongside captain Bruno Fernandes, paid dividends.
This display marked a significant improvement under Amorim, as United stood toe-to-toe with Liverpool, who had hoped to extend their league lead to eight points. While the draw was impressive, United may feel they deserved more after a gutsy response to Salah’s penalty.
Alexander-Arnold’s Struggles
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s difficult week continued amid ongoing rumors of Real Madrid’s interest in signing him. Liverpool firmly rejected the January approach, but speculation persists regarding his future.
The England defender endured a challenging match, as United exploited vulnerabilities on his right flank. Alexander-Arnold’s misstep led to Martinez’s goal, and his lackluster defending contributed to Diallo’s equalizer. Substituted shortly after receiving a yellow card, his struggles were evident.
Liverpool, while still six points clear at the top with a game in hand, were far from their dominant selves. Arne Slot’s team benefited from Maguire’s late miss to avoid only their second league defeat this season.
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