- Liverpool and Manchester United drew 2-2 in a dramatic and balanced derby at Anfield
- Manchester United delivered their best performance in recent memory despite being overwhelming underdogs
- Liverpool’s defense struggled, with Trent Alexander-Arnold being the weakest link
- The match saw a thrilling second half with multiple lead changes and chances for both teams to secure victory
- Liverpool missed the opportunity to extend their lead over Arsenal to eight points, leaving the gap unchanged
Key Takeaways:
In a surprising turn of events, Liverpool and Manchester United played out a 2-2 draw at Anfield, defying the odds and expectations of a one-sided match. Given Liverpool’s 23-point lead over their historic rivals and Manchester United’s poor recent form, having lost their last four games across all competitions, many anticipated a dominant Liverpool performance. However, Ruben Amorim’s team had other plans, delivering their best performance in recent memory and posing a significant threat throughout the match.
The captains from both @LFC and @ManUtd have their say after the 2-2 draw at Anfield 🗣️#LIVMUN pic.twitter.com/OrKlRIzn00
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 5, 2025
Liverpool’s defence, which has been a cornerstone of their success, disappointed on the day, with Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling as the weakest link. The right-back, reportedly targeted by Real Madrid, was unable to contain Manchester United’s attacks, and it was his side that found themselves trailing in the 52nd minute courtesy of a goal from Lisandro Martinez.
However, as they have done repeatedly this season, Liverpool showed their resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. Cody Gakpo equalized just five minutes later, and Mohamed Salah completed the turnaround with a penalty in the 70th minute. But Manchester United were not done yet, and Amad Diallo leveled the score just ten minutes later, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the match.
In the end, both teams had chances to secure victory in the final moments, but it was not to be, and the match ended in a 2-2 draw. The result means that Liverpool missed the opportunity to extend their lead over Arsenal to eight points, leaving the gap unchanged. Despite the draw, Liverpool’s unbeaten streak across all competitions now stands at 24 matches, a testament to their consistency and determination.