It was an exciting match at Anfield this Sunday. The visitors took the lead, saw it reversed, but managed to equalize in the end.
Liverpool and Manchester United offered an exhilarating classic, especially in the second half, this Sunday January 5, during the 20th day of the Premier League. Playing at home at Anfield, Liverpool displayed greater intensity, enjoying 54% possession and shooting 17 times compared to their rivals’ 12. However, after a difficult start, United found their rhythm and opened the scoring early in the second half with a goal from Argentine Lisandro Martínez. Liverpool, however, came back with goals from Dutchman Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah (from the penalty spot). However, Amad Diallo equalized, making the final score 2-2. With this draw, Liverpool remain comfortably in the lead with 46 points (and a game in hand), while Arsenal are just behind with 40 points. Meanwhile, United languish in 13th place with a meager 23 points.
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The match was almost called off due to heavy snowfall throughout the day in Liverpool, leading to flight and train cancellations. Fortunately the snow stopped in the afternoon and the match was confirmed, albeit in icy conditions and heavy rain, with Anfield completely packed for this clash, the biggest in English football.
Liverpool started aggressively against their biggest rivals, piling on the pressure and creating two great chances: a shot from Gakpo that came close to the goal and a powerful strike from Mac Allister following a pass from Salah, which was excellently saved by the goalkeeper Onana. United gradually balanced the game after the 25th minute and had their best chance in the 42nd minute when Højlund received a through ball, coming in free from the left, but shot straight at Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, who made a save crucial.
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Six minutes after kick-off, Manchester United opened the scoring thanks to defender Lisandro Martínez. The Argentine central defender anticipated a pass from Alexander-Arnold, intercepted the ball in attacking midfield and passed to Bruno Fernandes, who launched Lisandro behind Arnold. Martínez finished powerfully, hitting the crossbar and bouncing into the goal, leaving Alisson defenseless.
However, just eight minutes later, Gakpo equalized for Liverpool. Mac Allister made a run down the left and found Gakpo perfectly. The Dutchman controlled, cut inside and fired into the net, leveling the score. Liverpool quickly turned the tide in the 23rd minute when De Ligt was judged to have touched the ball following a cross. Initially, the referee allowed the game to continue, but the video referee (VAR) intervened, and after reviewing the situation, awarded the penalty. Salah took responsibility, converted and scored his 18th Premier League goal with Liverpool, making him the league’s top scorer.
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A victory seemed assured for Liverpool. Seemed? In the 35th minute, Garnacho received a pass from Bruno Fernandes on the left and, taking advantage of another defensive error from the unrecognizable Alexander-Arnold, delivered a low cross. It appeared to be a simple outing for the Liverpool defense, but it caught the defensive line off guard. Diallo, well placed, scored again to equalize. In the final moments, Liverpool had three chances thanks to shots from Jota and Bradley, and a header from Van Dijk. Each time, goalkeeper Onana was up to the task. In the final moments, United had the chance to secure victory, receiving the ball unmarked at the penalty spot. However, he failed to convert, missing the best chance of the match. In the end, it ended with a score of 2-2.
