KEY POINTS
- Amad Diallo’s late strike secured a 2-2 draw for Manchester United, ending their four-game losing streak.
- Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave Liverpool a brief lead, but United fought back.
- The draw leaves Liverpool six points clear atop the table and lifts United to 13th in the standings.
Manchester United’s Amad Diallo delivered a crucial late equalizer to secure a 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield. The 80th-minute strike, assisted by Alejandro Garnacho, broke United’s four-game losing streak and denied Liverpool an opportunity to widen their lead at the top of the standings.
The result was a mixed bag for United manager Ruben Amorim, who expressed dissatisfaction despite the points gained. “It’s a deserved point, but just one. We should be disappointed today,” Amorim remarked after the match.
Drama unfolds
According to APNews report, United initially took the lead in the 52nd minute through Lisandro Martinez, who powered a left-footed shot into the roof of the net. However, Liverpool responded swiftly, with Cody Gakpo leveling in the 59th minute, finishing brilliantly after cutting inside the box.
The home side appeared poised to claim all three points when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty in the 70th minute, awarded after Matthijs de Ligt handled the ball in the area. Salah’s goal, his 21st of the season and 13th against United in his career, added to his record as the most prolific scorer against the Red Devils in Premier League history.
Diallo, however, had other plans. His composed finish after Garnacho’s incisive cutback in the closing stages ensured the spoils were shared in what was an entertaining encounter between English football’s most decorated teams.
United’s form and Liverpool’s missed chance
The draw moved Manchester United up to 13th in the league, offering some relief after a difficult period. Still, Amorim’s side remains far from its historical standards, with the coach even alluding to the possibility of a relegation fight earlier in the season.
Liverpool, meanwhile, missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead over second-placed Arsenal to eight points. Despite dominating large portions of the game and creating several chances, including a late header from Virgil van Dijk saved by Andre Onana, the Reds settled for a single point.
“We created more chances and should’ve won. A point feels like a missed opportunity,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot reflected post-match.
Late misses on both ends
The game remained tense until the final whistle. United’s Harry Maguire missed a close-range effort deep into added time, while Van Dijk’s powerful header went straight into Onana’s hands, sealing the result.
It was United’s first point at Anfield since 2016, ending a nine-game losing streak across all competitions at Liverpool’s home ground.
Title race tightens
Liverpool’s lead atop the Premier League table remains six points, with Arsenal closing in after a 1-1 draw against Brighton. With a game in hand, Liverpool still has control over their title destiny but will view this result as a missed opportunity to strengthen their grip on the championship race.
For United, the result provided a morale boost and a reminder of their potential, particularly in challenging games against their fiercest rivals. “We’ve been criticized, and rightly so, but today showed what we can do. Now we need consistency,” United captain Bruno Fernandes said post-match.
Both teams will now turn their attention to the next round of fixtures as the Premier League season continues to unfold.
