Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United
Arne Slot’s team missed the chance to extend their lead over Arsenal by eight points.
After a lackluster first half, the game came alive in the second. Manchester United, who had failed to score in their last three matches, took a surprising lead early in the second half. Liverpool, in excellent form, quickly responded and went ahead. But Ruben Amorim’s struggling team capitalized on their opportunity late in the game, scoring again to secure a valuable point.
The Premier League match at Anfield on Sunday ended in a 2-2 draw.
Lisandro Martínez put United ahead, only for Cody Gakpo to equalize. Mohamed Salah then converted a penalty to give Liverpool the lead, but Amad Diallo’s late strike ensured the match ended level.
Heavy snowfall in Northern England had cast doubt on whether the match would proceed, but it eventually went ahead and delivered a thrilling contest. However, the draw left both teams with contrasting emotions.
Liverpool dropped points after three consecutive league wins, while United, on a run of four straight defeats in all competitions, finally earned a crucial point.
Liverpool remains top of the table with 46 points from 19 matches (14 wins and 4 draws). Arsenal, having played one more game, sit second with 40 points, six behind Liverpool.
United climbed one spot to 13th with 23 points from 20 games.
The match started slowly, with the first significant attack coming in the 13th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot was blocked, and Luis Díaz blasted the rebound over the bar.
The first shot on target came in the 16th minute when André Onana denied Alexis Mac Allister’s effort after a smart through ball from Salah.
United responded with a chance of their own moments later, but young English midfielder Kobbie Mainoo failed to connect properly with a header inside the six-yard box.
United opened the scoring in the 52nd minute through an exceptional goal. Bruno Fernandes threaded a perfect pass between three Liverpool players, allowing Martínez to drill a bullet shot past the goalkeeper into the net. It was the Argentine defender’s first goal of the season.
Liverpool hit back quickly, with Cody Gakpo scoring a superb angled shot after receiving a pass from Mac Allister. It was Gakpo’s third consecutive game with a goal in the league.
Liverpool regained the lead in the 70th minute when Salah converted a penalty after VAR spotted a handball by Matthijs de Ligt in the box. Salah’s goal was his 18th of the season, putting him two ahead of Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
As Liverpool seemed to take control, United shocked the home side with an equalizer in the 80th minute. Alejandro Garnacho set up Amad Diallo, who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper.
Liverpool missed two golden chances to win in the final minute of regulation time, with efforts from Diogo Jota and Conor Bradley both denied by Onana.
In the dying moments of added time, United’s Harry Maguire had a chance to seal the win, but he astonishingly blasted the ball over the bar from close range.
