Following Arsenal’s draw against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, Liverpool had a good chance to increase their lead at the top of the Premier League table on Sunday, when they hosted struggling rivals Manchester United at Anfield.
However, the match ended in a 2-2 draw, and while the hosts will see it as an opportunity missed, the visitors will be happy with the point they took, even though they could even have won it at the very end.
After a hard-fought first half, United broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute through Lisandro Martinez. Liverpool got back level quickly, courtesy of Cody Gakpo seven minutes later, and when Mohamed Salah struck from the spot in the 70th, it seemed normal service would be resumed, despite an overall underwhelming performance from the Reds. But with eight minutes left on the clock, Amad Diallo made sure his team left Anfield with something to show for their notable effort, spoiling the mood for the table toppers.
The teams
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was without the services of defender Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Alisson Becker was in goal. Ibrahima Konate returned from injury to partner Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence, with Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right and Andy Robertson on the left. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister paired up in the middle of the park, with Curtis Jones a little further up. In attack, Gakpo and Salah attacked from the flanks, while Luis Diaz continued in the ‘false nine’ role.
For United, manager Ruben Amorim couldn’t call upon forwards Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount, as well as defenders Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw.
With Andre Onana between the posts, the back line was formed by the trio of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui played out wide as wing-backs, slotting alongside the three centre-backs when defending. Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo played in the middle of the park, and in attack, striker Rasmus Hojlund had the support of Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo.
First half: Defensive strategies and missed opportunities
The opening half was characterized by strategic play from both sides, with Liverpool aiming to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League, while Manchester United sought to rebound from a series of disappointing results. Liverpool’s midfield, orchestrated by Mac Allister, created early opportunities.
A notable chance arose when Salah’s precise pass found the Argentinian midfielder, whose fine attempt was thwarted by Onana. United responded with counterattacks, exploiting spaces behind Liverpool’s defence. Hojlund had a clear opportunity but fired straight at Alisson.
Second Half: A surge of goals
The second half witnessed a surge in offensive play. In the 52nd minute, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez broke the deadlock with a powerful strike following a well-executed set-piece, giving United a 1-0 lead. Liverpool responded swiftly; seven minutes later, Cody Gakpo unleashed a stunning shot from inside the box, leveling the score at 1-1. Liverpool continued to press, and their efforts were rewarded when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty, awarded after a handball by De Ligt, putting Liverpool ahead.
United showcased resilience, however, and in the 80th minute,Diallo scored the equalizer, capitalizing on a cross from substitute Alejandro Garnacho. At the very end, United could’ve walked away with the whole prize, but Maguire failed to score from a good position.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s head turned by Real Madrid?
Liverpool as a whole looked far from their best, and at times seemed to have underestimated the visitors. However, the weak performance of Alexander-Arnold was notable.
The 26-year-old misplaced a number of passes in his own half, which is unusual for a player of his quality. His defending, for which he’s often been criticized in the past, was nowhere near the level required in a game like this, and it’s no wonder that United created both their goals down the flank he was supposed to be protecting. Slot eventually withdrew the England international, but with just four minutes left at that point, the damage was already done.
Alexander-Arnold’s name has frequently appeared in the press over the last few days, with Liverpool reportedly rejecting an offer from Real Madrid for his services. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and as things stand, everything points to him leaving to join Los Blancos as a free agent in the summer.
It seems the saga has taken its toll, and his focus certainly wasn’t on the game at hand.
Title race
It’s as-you-were after this week’s matches in the Premier League, with Liverpool leading the way six points ahead of Arsenal in second place, and with a game in hand on the Gunners. Slot’s team faces third-place Nottingham Forest away next in the league, the only team to have inflicted them with the pain of defeat this term in any competition. But before that, they need to repeat their recent win away to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals, and get past fourth-tier side Accrington Stanley in the third round of the FA Cup.
As for United, they may have shocked their table-topping arch-rivals, but they still face a long and difficult task if they intend to qualify for Europe at the end of the season. At the moment, they sit in 13th place, 11 points behind sixth-place Manchester City and 12 behind Newcastle in fifth. They will have a tough game against Arsenal in the FA Cup, but then they’ll have a good chance to take all the points when they take on bottom-side Southampton at Old Trafford.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
