MANCHESTER UNITED DISPLAYED some of the backbone manager Ruben Amorim has been asking for as they scored their first goals at Anfield since 2018 to earn a 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Home fans were gearing up to taunt their rivals as Arne Slot’s side were 10 minutes away from going eight points clear of Arsenal with a match in hand.
However, Amad Diallo stabbed home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross – adding to Lisandro Martinez’s first goal in two years – to earn a point having conceded a lead to trail 2-1 after Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah’s penalty had turned things around.
It would have cheered Amorim, who had called for the leaders in the squad to step up after five defeats in his first eight matches in charge.
It was no surprise they they did it against Liverpool, who remain favourites to equal the Red Devils’ 20 league titles despite dropping two points at home, as the rivalry between England’s two most successful clubs always raises the stakes.
And while it may have brought the best out of United from a resilience point of view it strangely did not seem to have the same effect on the hosts, who were slow off the mark in a game which was only given the go-ahead at midday after heavy snow on Merseyside.
But quality endures and after a lacklustre first half they stepped things up after Martinez’s fierce angled strike beat Alisson Becker and went in off the crossbar.
It was exemplified first by Gakpo, who scored his 10th goal in his last 15 appearances by cutting in on his right foot – sending Matthijs de Ligt sliding off the pitch – to smash a shot past Andre Onana.
But the coup de grace seemed to have been applied by Salah, whose 18th goal of the season saw him draw level with Thierry Henry in joint-seventh place on the all-time Premier League goalscorers chart with 175 goals.
Mac Allister’s header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross hit De Ligt’s raised left arm and although referee Michael Oliver played on he was informed by VAR he should view the monitor and he subsequently changed his mind.
Onana, who had engaged in some pre-penalty shenanigans with a number of Liverpool players, guessed the right way but Salah’s shot was too powerful for him.
Usually, that would be that – especially against a United side who had lost their last three league games without scoring – but Diallo nipped in front of Andy Robertson to snatch a point.
While Salah continued to perform with unerring consistency, having on Friday expressed his desire to win the Premier League again to make what could be his final six months at the club memorable, Trent Alexander-Arnold played as if news of Real Madrid’s approach earlier in the week was weighing heavy.
On the eve of the game Slot had said the defender was fully committed and was confident there would not be any adverse crowd reaction, but his individual performance was lackadaisical and he was at fault for United’s opener.
United wing-back Diogo Dalot had plenty of joy down that flank, from where United scored their first goal when Alexander-Arnold gave the ball away to Martinez who continued his run to smash home Bruno Fernandes’ pass.
He later gave the ball away for a dangerous United counter, brilliantly snuffed out by Virgil van Dijk, and was then booked for pulling back Fernandes before being replaced by Conor Bradley.
The visitors were much more resilient than in previous performances, with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte holding their own particularly in the first half and Harry Maguire, who ballooned over a chance to snatch victory in the final seconds, providing some of that much-needed leadership.
United are still only seven points above the relegation zone – 13 adrift of the top four – but this will have given Amorim some hope.
For Liverpool it was a missed opportunity but they remain in pole position.
Well done United, by far the better team and some good performances by their players. Liverpool shocking when pressure put on them. Trent showing just how overrated he really is.
@James Johnson: Keano called him out at half time. Real Madrid more like Tranmere Rovers!!!
And some pool clowns saying he worth 150million..hahaha
@James Johnson: better team on the day ya but liverpool were poor liverpool are a far better side but not today
@Dessie: It’s all well and good Dessie when the team is going well around him. Cant even do his main job, defend!!!
@Dessie: in a world where Antony was 80 million…. That’s why.
@James Johnson: TAA one of the best offence players around but can’t defend. Which is fine when your side is not targeted or when you have someone coming back and covering for you, klopp allowed for this and set up his team to allow TAA move forward more. He’d do well at Real who never presume their full backs to be great defenders.
@Cormac: Fair enough, still a poor defender though. Not a great deflection considering it’s his title. Dalot a right footed RB made an ass of him.
@Cormac: agree he world class going forward was pretty good all season in defence as well had a bad day
@Shanie: no he’s constantly exposed as a dreadful defender sing top of the league again seanie cheer me up in this horrible weather.
@James Johnson: let facts rather than emotions shape opinion. LFC were average but xg was 2.87 to 1.02 in their favour. United had a fresh midfield, sat in and targeted liverpool defensive weakness in TAA who was abysmal. It was their cup final and they worked hard and snuck a result. LFC will be disappointed to drop 2 points against a side they are very superior to but that happens sometimes in sport.
@Nathan Fulham: Nonsense. United were better team, that’s the facts. As for cup finals, this is Manchester United. Biggest club in the world. Far from a cup final for them.
@Nathan Fulham: United sat in, really??
Was an open and at times end to end game.
Can’t get those type of games with one team ‘sitting in’. XG the latest sky sports crap.
@James Johnson: only overrated by blinkered Liverpool fans every who knows football know he’s a dreadful defender.
@James Johnson: Biggest club in the world ….. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ….. 7 points above relegation …… Mid table in European B league ……. History much?
@Nathan Fulham: why do you mob type lfc in capitals.
@David Shepherd: what’s your point? How many years did Liverpool go without winning the Premier League? It wasn’t too long ago you were watching Jay Spearing and David N’Gog…
@James Johnson: United by far the better team? You must be having a laugh. United played very well for their level and Liverpool played poorly for their own. Liverpool were still the better team for the majority of the game. I’ll agree with you on TAA, defensively he isn’t good enough. Doesn’t have the discipline or humility to realise in certain games, he can’t just roam anywhere he wants. Very frustrating to watch. Either way, a point gained for United, 2 points dropped for Liverpool. 6 clear with a game in hand, no need to be overly put out
@Michael Mullins: By far yep, better chances to win the game. Liverpool poor today. Too complacent if you ask me. Supporters would sicken you as well.
@James Johnson: guys, Paulie is alive! He’s been missing for weeks, I think not seen since the City game. A dreadful kind of fan you’d want for your team.
@James Johnson: to come away from watching that game saying United were by far the better side is mind-boggling. Any chance have more than one account on this app? I’d have my suspicions on that…
@Michael Mullins: Just thought United were better. In fairness, it would have been great to see Sir Harry Maguire smack that last effort into the top corner
@James Johnson: you’d be a while waiting for that. It’s a measure of Zirkzee’s confidence that he squared that ball. Must be kicking himself
@Michael Mullins: Zirkzee should have pulled the trigger. Would have been a great evening for him.
@James Johnson: did you read the stats of the game ?
@Cormac: is he one of the best offence players either…I think he’s very overrated as a player. Very good delivery of a ball but he doesn’t have much pace, int very strong and you couldn’t call him explosive. That’s without even talking about his inability to defend.
Well well well. Not the hiding we were told was coming. Bruno, amad, big harry and ugarte all top class.
@Brian Dunne: very true and zirkzee could have become a fan favourite again if he had bottle to go for it himself not give it to a centre back.
@Brian Dunne: congrats
@Papa Kilo: I think he probably would a been called offside though. Marginally but offside had either of them scored.
@Brian Dunne: never understand all the idiots predicting a hiding in this game. No matter the form, usually a tough game. This is always the biggest, hardest game for me as a Pool fan.
@Graham: Liverpool have inflicted some of utds worst hidings in recent memory,maybe that’s why,or Liverpool playing so well and utd and absolute shambles,maybe that’s why,but yes football can suprise occasionally.
@Brian Dunne: Ye were the better team by far today.
@Brian Dunne: Harry, if he was top class, would’ve nailed the sitter at the end. A Sunday league player would hit the target never mind a professional footballer.
@Brian O’Connor: yeah because great footballers famously never miss chances
While it’s a disappointing performance and result for Liverpool with Chelsea/Arsenal also drawing it’s not the end of the world. I knew Man Utd would improve their performance but unfortunately Liverpools performance and energy dropped. The lesson has to be you can’t have drop offs in performance and intensity against lesser teams in a relegation battle and expect to win. Has TAA’ concentration levels being affected by Madrid bid, his defending worse than usual.
@Ger Power: very good, give you credit for that
@Ger Power: Fairly standard TAA defending ….. Nothing to do with Real Madrid. I’d personally buy his ticket to Spain. Been saying it with multiple seasons not just today. He’s just woeful English and full of hype. The lad can’t even get into the England team and rightly so.
@Joe Beirne: Man Utd showed an attitude and energy that been missing for most of season. I’m confused by Bruno being asked in his interview about getting the opportunity to get training sessions and preparations for this game. Have they not trained and prepared for other games?
@Ger Power: Utd been playing every 3/4 days since Amorim came in so prob one proper session between matches. 5 days between match last match and today so prob 2/3 sessions in.
That draw 100% Slot’s fault TAA should have been hauled off at HT. I got slated here few weeks ago saying TAA wouldn’t be missed. Where are those TAA lovers now? A blind person could see TAA can’t defend even though it’s his job. Only positive is Arsenal dropped points too so no change there. Hats off to United but you can see how this pans out this was their champions league final back to normal next week where the flop and flounder all over the place. Bradley 10,000 times the player TAA could ever drem of being.
@David Shepherd: no credit to Manchester United?
@Brian Dunne: “Hats off to Utd” is as good as you’ll get I’d say Brian!
@Joe Kennedy: and will lose there next game
@Brian Dunne: getting the team bus parade ready now lol
@Shanie: not at all lad. Disappointed they didn’t win to be honest.
@Brian Dunne: both could off won it was a great result for ye today
@Shanie: decent result. I’ve never seen a media so excited at the thoughts of a team taking a hiding so in that respect it’s a good result.
@Brian Dunne: Fair play to United for the point today big point in a relegation battle. Did I miss anything?
@Brian Dunne: typical media i knew it would harder than what they were saying im happy utd didnt get smashed
@David Shepherd: that they were the better team?
@Brian Dunne: Look at the stats? Only for a poor (expected TAA) performance …. 52% v 48% possession…. 19 v 13 shots …. 6 on goal v 4 ….. 8 off goal v 1 ….. Corners 6 v 9 ….. Shots inside the box 15 v 11 …. Outside the box 4 v 2 …… He beat us on fouls and yellows …… Your point?
@David Shepherd: stats my bumhole. Watch the game david, manchester united shaded it.
@David Shepherd: ah shep come on. All week you lads on here saying would you get to double figures this time. Know you’re disappointed but at least acknowledge a performance from United going to their greatest rivals and where United currently are.
@David Shepherd: yeah I think some of the united fans here think they were a lot better today than they were. I think that’s because they were a lot better than they usually are. I dunno. It was even enough.
I agree with you about Trent. I was only saying the other day. Of the three in contract situations, he is the one that would make the least negative difference moving on. Even with age. I feel vvd and salahs are essential where as when trents on fire he’s a bonus. And not to be disrespectful either he has been absolutely fantastic for us but if one of them had to go that who I would choose. That’s just my take on it though.
@David Shepherd: spot on David – TAA needs to be taken out , also need to replace Robertson – both great servants but need something more to win the league
@Brian Dunne: liverpool are million miles ahead off utd
@Dessie: i said hats off to to them …. Fantastic draw but to say they were the better team? Liverpool didn’t turn today ….. They did when they went 1 down….. 2-1 up they made a mistake keeping TAA on the pitch …. He’s the most overrated English player in the history of the game….. Go back on my previous comments the guy can’t even get in the England team? Why?
@David Shepherd: He had a shocker today yes,but not enough credit is being given to him playing in such an advanced role for a right back,this is why the idea of a midfield role has been muted,you cant expect the same level of defending from him if he’s asked to utilise his absolutely brilliant attacking game he has,and not a manager on the planet wouldn’t encourage him to go forward.
@David Shepherd: I definitely agree with some of what you said about TAA. It’s well and good leaving him ping ball around the pitch against teams that don’t have the players to hurt you, but United do have individuals with that ability. If Bradley wasn’t just back from injury I’d have rathered he started this game. Trent is a luxury player and it’s hard to carry players like that in the PL. Bags of ability but doesn’t do his basic job well enough.
Mad what United can do with a midfield!
@Michael Gorman: and time on the training pitch. Great result and performance but need to back it up next game against Southampton.
@Dessie: That’s it, Dessie. Obviously a deep core issue as to why that level of performance can’t be found more often. Ugarte did the dirty work to compliment Mainoo, and then Bruno was free to play. Hopefully have found the best starting team now, with maybe a fully focused Garnacho. Amorim might be able to actually work with a few of these lads next season.
A mass of difference in the quality between the two of them this season. But that doesn’t matter today as there wasn’t any difference. The result was about right. Trent had a shocker for the pool. Had to laugh at Gary Neville doh. When united went one up he was saying it was one of the all time great united performances. Not sure what he was watching. I thought both were poor enough today. Then when Liverpool equalised he went silent for 5 minutes.
@Sean Parker: That’s Gary every week.
@David Shepherd: yeah true. He’s not the worst analyst when he has not been talking united or Liverpool where he can’t hide his colours. But he’s an awful commentator in most every game he commentates.
@Sean Parker: carragher and neville equally annoying and doubley annoying when both are on comms.
@Sean Parker: nonsense!
@Brian Dunne: no argument there. Equally if not more annoying at times. He just didn’t annoy me tonight.
@David Gaffney: which part David. That both teams weren’t great ? Albeith Liverpool underperformed and united over performed. That a draw was just about fair.? Or that Gary Neville is a numpty at the best of times?
Very poor performace lucky to get a point in the end IK didnt look fit trent was awful conor did more in the few minutes when he came on 2 points dropped but we cant win them all utd deserved that could of won
Hahaha champions, can’t even beat the worst United side in premier league history
@Joe Beirne: 6 points clear game in hand we will be champions
@Shanie: not be overly confident, 6 point gap can disappear quite quickly
@Joe Beirne: they literally already beat them this season.
@Shanie: you’re an absolute tool.
@Joe Beirne: allways confident but today was a bad day at the office
@Sean Parker: I’ll remind every Loserpool fan that this is the game it all came crashing down for them, losers
@Kevin Dillon: why i have being nothing nice about utd in comments
@Joe Beirne: now this is tool ish
@Joe Beirne: unfortunately for you poor man Utd fans, you’ll perform against Liverpool, enjoy the parade then get turned over by Southampton or Ipswich…
@Shanie: omg sorry shane that was meant to be for Joe the tool. Not you and yes you’re always fair.
@Joe Beirne: pity you won’t disappear quite quickly.
@Joe Beirne: oh my bad. You said loserpool. I’ll move on. I don’t talk football with 8 year olds.
A great game for us neutrals- two evenly matched teams, fair result in a draw
That has to be Utd midfield until the end of the season. Great game for the neutral and probably fair result.
That trent lad simply can’t defend.
I’ll take that result all day. A lot of people got there expected result on this game wrong. I thought united were the better side. Unluckly with the peno. Trent was very poor so poor united targeted his side and exploted him.
@robbie Delaney: stonewall penalty bob.
@robbie Delaney: United’s problem is Robbie next week it will be all back to normal …. They have to do this week in and week out ….. Penalty was a stone wall penalty …… You should be praying TAA stays at Liverpool.
@paulie: I agree just was looking the opposite way to the ball he didn’t even know where the ball was
@robbie Delaney: utd we’re the better side,I didn’t think they would be as bad as of late,but didn’t expect that performance,as a pool fan il take the draw on performance today,on to spurs mid week.
@robbie Delaney: yeah 100 penalty.
@paulie: never did I think going into that game I would be disappointed at the end that we didn’t get the win. Hopefully we can build in it
@robbie Delaney: Manchester United are a poor side and today was the exception rather than the rule.
Liverpool are slipping
@Ronan Strain: try harder
Premier league classic
Yeah always very wary of this fixture – game could have gone either way but anyway halfway through the season now with a six point lead and a game in isn’t too bad either!
@John arse: game in hand
Been saying this since Ruben came it. Dalot has had acres of green grass to run into and cause problems. First time he done it all season and we looked threatening and scored.
And he even done it against the greatest RB ever seen in the game
Fair result…we brought the best out of Utd, no need for thanks.
What a proper game of football. Draw a fair result. Definitely would have taken that before kickoff.
@Kevin Dillon: still the 2 biggest sides in england where ever they are in the table utd had my worried near the end
Couldn’t beat a mid table team at home. If de Ligt wasn’t such a clown. It would have been a different story
@paul doyle: didnt ye lose 3 in a row a home
@Shanie: whose ye?
@paul doyle: well u are slagging off liverpool for drawing at home u do know football can do this im sure who ever u support are miles behind liverpool
@paul doyle: he is suggesting you are a Manchester United fan seanie is a gas fella he only sees two teams and if you aren’t Liverpool you mud be Manchester United he’s a bit innocent but funny.
Good game overall,utd played very well by their standards, Liverpool very poor by their standards, especially at the back,Trent needs to remember he’s not gone to Madrid yet,a draw probably a fair result, Maguire will have nightmares tonight.
No matter the form, always the biggest game.
@Graham: true even if one of them are near bottom allways will be
Cracking second half. Draw probably fair. Maguire should have won it although it might have been offside. Well done both teams.
Knew Utd would get it together today. Some poor performances didn’t help.
@ecrowley ecrowley: what price did your get mystic eric..
@paulie: I don’t gamble. A fool and their money and all that.
@ecrowley ecrowley: but you wouldn’t have been one parting with money as you knew Manchester United would get something.
@paulie: As a rule I don’t gamble. Seen too many suckers.
@ecrowley ecrowley: but you would have been buying money as you knew Manchester United would get a result.
@paulie: There’s that difficulty with comprehension again. I’ll try a different approach…I have plenty of money, I get more pleasure out of being right.
Take VVD and Salah out of that side and they very ordinary.
@Dessie: And Alisson and Gravenberch and McAllister and Gakpo
Utd best team today without a doubt. Liverpool to slow.will lose more points.and that’s from someone that’s abu
Pool poor today. Trent has the bags packed I hope . United turned up and unlucky not to snatch it in the end . Hopefully FSG will put us out of our misery and pay Salah and Virgil the cash and we move on . This league is far from finished on today’s performance.
Brilliant game from united,have to move forward from here on,totally unacceptable up to now, loved to see 2 proper clubs built on triumph and tragedy just knocking shit out of each other
Did utd win then?
No…much ado about nothin so.
@damien leen: one thing is for sure… Liverpool didn’t win either
Fair play to utd they play like that now till end of sesaon should be fine liverpool were very poor but 6 points ahead take that
@Max: you have to take it maxi its what it is.
TEAM STATS
19 Shots 13
6 Shots on target 4
53% Possession 47%
435 Passes 384
83% Pass accuracy 75%
10 Fouls 13
2 Yellow cards 4
0 Red cards 0
0 Offsides 4
5 Corners
Be interesting to see how the Man Utd fans feel in May :)
Two poor Teams