Manchester United looked encouraged by drawing 2-2 with arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield, starting their new year with a well-deserved point in the Premier League.
Despite heavy snowfall overnight, officials showed the big game would take place, some United enthusiasts would have expected a postponement given the team’s shocking form.
But from kick-off, Ruben Amorim’s side looked much, much improved, with great defensive discipline stifling Liverpool’s rampant attack in the first-half.
Lisandro Martínez opened the scoring shortly after the break with a thunderous shot from close range that went under the crossbar.
However, their celebrations were short-lived as Cody Gakpo scored an equally impressive equalizer and soon the momentum was fully on the side of Arne Slot’s men.
Mohamed Salah was given the chance to give the Reds to lead when Matthijs de Ligt’s handball resulted in a penalty after a VAR check. The Egyptian King made no mistake from the spot and continued his fantastic record against the Red Devils.
The three points seemed destined to go to the home side only for Amad Diallo to score a well-worked equaliser with just 10 minutes to go.
There were opportunities for both groups to win late, with Harry Maguire making an effort just a few metres away in the final seconds of added time.
Relive everything from Anfield below:
And encouragement. . . An exciting moment at Anfield saw the shared problems between the Reds and Red Devils.
That’s all we have time for today, Metro will continue to bring you the newest and most important reactions in the game.
This is how the Manchester United legends reacted to Harry Maguire’s goalkeeper’s miss.
Until next time, goodbye!
Liverpool increased their lead at the top of the table, but everyone was hoping for a win.
Reds legend and Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher said: “This will feel like a missed opportunity for Liverpool.
‘They will have seen Arsenal’s result last night and expected to come into this game and win.
“There was too much of a feeling in the game that Liverpool were going to knock down Manchester United. People were talking about how many goals they were going to score. But that is not the case.
This is the reaction of Manchester United captain and player of the team Bruno Fernandes, who spoke with Sky Sports: “Obviously we have been criticized, and rightly so, because the position in the table says it all.
“We missed too many problems. Even we can’t just depend on a draw because we want more problems than them.
“It’s a very smart and fair result, both groups played smart and intense football.
“I’m disappointed because we can show it against Liverpool at Anfield, the best team in the league, the great team in the Premier League this season, why can’t we do it every week?
Liverpool advance six clear things at the top of the Premier League with one game less.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are thirteenth, level with West Ham. Seven points above the relegation zone, but thirteen of the best four.
And it’s the last shot of the game!
An exciting montage that no one saw coming. United may have won or perhaps deserved to have won, but it’s a very clever point.
Given their performance, Liverpool will take a point. They weren’t horrible, but they were far from the best.
Maguire won it!
The loose shot is solved but United takes the ball and Zirkzee passes!He confronts Maguire. . . but shoots his effort at point-blank range!
There are a few seconds left and Amad wins a loose shot at the edge of the court after winning a foul on Robertson. . .
Salah runs into the area and his shot is deflected for a corner. . . cleared.
Both sides can sense a winner. This is one of the most productive games, or at least the second part, of the season.
SEVEN minutes added. The tension is unbearable.
From start to finish! Intelligent play by Fernandes who receives the ball from a corner and shoots at Alisson and the goalkeeper knocks the ball down.
Liverpool then raced to the goal and won a corner. Van Dijk’s header is saved on the line thanks to Onana!
Trent’s mess class ends when Conor Bradley comes to update him. Striker Gakpo also replaces Harvey Elliot.
For United, Joshua Zirkzee is Hojlund.
The goal came down Alexander-Arnold’s side. He’s put in one of his worst performances in recent memory and is now in the book for dragging down Fernandes.
Meanwhile, Yoro replaces De Ligt.
WHAT A GAME!!!
It’s been all Liverpool since Gakpo’s equaliser but United will not go quietly into the night. They drive down the left flank and Garnaacho cross low into the box.
He misses everyone before locating Amad who shoots Alisson!
Liverpool’s first yellow card will be for Núñez for breaking into De Ligt. This is absolutely true and he is now suspended for the next match.
The loose shot resulting from the foul is executed through Salah just outside the box. It’s a decent effort even over the crossbar.
Now United are shocked. Maguire is in the e-book for a foul on Salah despite winning the ball back first.
United were satisfied and Salah had to interrupt a fight between the players.
There are about 20 minutes left. Amorim makes his first substitution as Mainoo, who played well, is replaced by Alejandro Garnacho.
LIVERPOOL LEAD!!!
Never in doubt? Well Onana went the right way and got his fingertips to it but there was just too much power on the penalty.
Mo Salah is chasing Manchester United again.
Penalty given! United can’t have too many complaints about that. Salah steps up to the spot…