In a pulsating encounter at Anfield on Sunday, Amad Diallo’s late strike earned Manchester United a well-deserved 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
United, under the guidance of Ruben Amorim, displayed a vastly improved performance that belied their recent form. The visitors took the lead in the 52nd minute when Lisandro Martinez unleashed a ferocious shot from a tight angle, stunning the home crowd.
However, Liverpool, despite appearing off-key, responded swiftly. Seven minutes after conceding, Cody Gakpo curled in a spectacular equalizer, reigniting the contest. The momentum shifted, and Mohamed Salah capitalized on the surge by converting a penalty to put Liverpool ahead.
Undeterred, United pressed forward in search of an equalizer. In the 80th minute, Diallo swept in a precise shot, silencing the Anfield faithful and leveling the score. The closing stages saw both teams chasing victory, with United’s Harry Maguire missing a golden opportunity, sending a shot over the crossbar with the game’s final kick.
The draw maintains Liverpool’s control of the title race, keeping them six points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand, as they aim to equal United’s record of 20 English titles. Manchester United moved up to 13th place with 23 points.
United’s captain Bruno Fernandes reflected on the performance, saying, “I’m pretty upset. If we show this level at Liverpool, first in the league, why can’t we do this everywhere? Today we put in a real effort; playing with passion and heart is what is going to give you something from the game.”
Liverpool’s skipper Virgil van Dijk acknowledged his team’s shortcomings: “It could have been a lot worse if we are absolutely honest with ourselves,” he admitted.
The match defied pre-game expectations, considering United had lost five of their last six league games while Liverpool had been in scintillating form, winning their previous three matches with a combined 14 goals.
The result leaves fans and analysts pondering whether this could mark a turning point for United’s season, as they demonstrated resilience and quality against the league leaders.
Reference(s):
Amad Diallo earns Manchester United deserved draw at Liverpool
cgtn.com
