Amad Diallo’s goal 10 minutes from time ended Manchester United’s run of three Premier League defeats with a surprise point after a thrilling second half at leaders Liverpool.
Arriving 23 points behind the Reds, at the top of the standings, Ruben Amorim’s men impressed during a relatively calm first period before taking the advantage with a shot from Lisandro Martinez on a threaded ball from Bruno Fernandes.
Liverpool, who have lost once this season in all competitions, equalized within eight minutes thanks to an angled strike from Cody Gakpo, and United’s miserable form looked set to continue in cruel fashion when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty from the 70th minute following a handball from Matthijs de Ligt. .
Diallo swept in Alejandro Garnacho’s delivery to restore parity for United, who should have scored again just seconds from full time when Harry Maguire curled a golden opportunity over the crossbar courtesy of Joshua’s pass Zirkzee.
Amad heads home after Garnacho’s low cross 😮
What a GAME it is at Anfield! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LWRlKvyAE5
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
In case United fans have reason to fear a trip to Anfield this season, their team arrived there without a win since 2016 and without a goal since a 3-1 defeat in 2018.
After a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle on Monday in which they conceded both goals in the 20th minute, Amorim saw their players produce a much more respectable first half, with Rasmus Hojlund making a fine save from Alisson .
Lisandro Martínez unleashes a thunderbolt beyond Alisson! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z3vmqkbIol
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Amorim’s decision to concentrate most of United’s attacks on his left seemed wise against the backdrop of a shaky defensive display from Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Diallo should have taken advantage when Diogo Dalot located him in front of goal with a cross from that side, only for the midfielder to bizarrely direct his head outside the penalty area in the opposite direction of the target.
Cody Gakpo lands a sensational solo strike against Onana! 😨 pic.twitter.com/ggR8CJLNMk
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Visiting goalkeeper Andre Onana did well to keep away Alexis Mac Allister’s opening shot, and United’s reward for their improvement was Martinez’s emphatic opener with his 45th attempt at Anfield since his previous goal there.
Amorim will rue United’s defeat in the 19 minutes following their opening goal, in which Liverpool managed all five shots and seven of nine touches inside the box between the teams.
The Egyptian king scores for Liverpool! 👑 pic.twitter.com/cYPl8H75PN
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
United’s distribution also appeared to lose their way with an unlikely victory in sight, producing a disastrous 51% accuracy in that period, compared to Liverpool’s 77%.
Salah’s 13th goal in his last 11 appearances in the match looked set to put Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the table, but Diallo once again proved his team’s hero, as he was when he scored the winning goal in the 90th minute at Manchester City. on December 15.
Even for a defender better known for his aerial prowess, Maguire should have stepped up to almost certainly seal three points, but the centre-back lofted the ball well over the crossbar, much to the relief of most of the stadium.
United moved up to 13th, while Liverpool are six points clear and a game in hand over second-placed Arsenal, who drew 1-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
