It felt like the dawn of a new era at Manchester United. However, the location wasn’t Old Trafford—it was on the turf of United’s biggest rivals, Liverpool. The Red Devils, struggling for form and goals, delivered a brilliant team performance to hold the league leaders to a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Lisandro Martinez gave the away team a shock lead in the second half. However, Cody Gakpo equalized nine minutes later. Shortly after, Mohamed Salah converted from the spot, and it looked like Liverpool would be on course to do the double. However, Amad Diallo had other plans as he rescued a point. United even had an opportunity to clinch an unlikely win at the death when Harry Maguire missed a shot from a few yards out.
It is the second consecutive time United have held out for a draw at Anfield after a 0-0 showing in the previous season under Erik ten Hag. Despite the strong performance at arguably the toughest ground in the Premier League, manager Ruben Amorim had words of disappointment.
In an interview with the Premier League, Ruben Amorim said, “I am trying that every day to push, sometimes maybe is not the best way, because I am always challenging these players in everything I do. I feel we are, not just players, everybody at Manchester United is too comfortable, and sometimes we need a shock.”
“I want to see my team play so much better, but the most important thing to address today is mentality – we were a different team today, not because of system, tactical, we faced competition the way we were supposed to. Doesn’t matter what opponent, we have to face like that.”
Amorim further added, “We lost three games in a row at home; some of the games, we suffered like two goals without doing anything. Today, I am really upset. Because I am pleased with the performance, but everybody is going to say to that team they did a good job.”
Manchester United are currently 13th in the Premier League table, level on points with West Ham at 23. Despite the great performance, all the Red Devils could do was move one point above Tottenham Hotspur, who are having a dreadful season of their own. Despite reaching the League Cup semifinal, Spurs have struggled to find consistency in the Premier League and risk missing out on European football unless they win a domestic trophy.
Manchester United will travel to the Emirates next week to face Arsenal in the opening round of the FA Cup. The Red Devils lost at that ground in the Premier League earlier this season, with goals from Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. However, United have a habit of achieving the unthinkable, as they did in their FA Cup-winning run last season, beating Liverpool and Manchester City to claim their 13th FA Cup title.
On the other hand, despite the draw, Liverpool sits comfortably at the top of the table with a six-point lead and a game in hand against Arsenal. The Gunners drew 1-1 against Brighton, which doesn’t harm Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table despite the draw against Manchester United.
Amad Diallo is a player who will remain in the minds of not just Manchester United fans but also Liverpool supporters. The Ivory Coast winger secured United’s FA Cup semifinal berth last season after netting the winner against Liverpool in extra time. Now, he has again denied the league leaders with a low shot into the bottom right corner.
Diallo was instrumental in Manchester United’s last significant result in all competitions. The left-footed winger scored the winner at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City last month to secure all three points for the club.
If you had told Manchester United fans before the start of the match that they would get a point at Anfield, they would have gladly taken it. However, they would also be upset by the fact that they had chances to win—and that’s exactly how Ruben Amorim felt, too. On the other hand, it is a major let-off for Liverpool as they bid for a 20th league title. For more fearless sports coverage, visit Stadium Rant.
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