After a fairly disastrous end to 2024 and really since Amorim arrived at Manchester United, the team faced possibly the toughest trip of the season as the short journey over to Anfield meant a matchup against one of the top sides in world football this season, and visiting your rivals who look destined to win the league while United sit in the bottom half, it had been a conversation of how many Liverpool would score in the build up to this meeting.

There was an additional factor in this game as the weather had a real impact. With snowfall the previous night and freezing conditions, it was touch-and-go whether the game would actually go ahead. With a potential delay to the game meaning United may have been one of Liverpool’s final opponents in a title winning season, it’s probably for the best that this game went ahead before Liverpool are officially crowned champions.

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Teams

Ruben Amorim continued with most of the key players he has called upon in his tenure thus far, starting with Amad, Fernandes and Hojlund as his attacking threats, but making changes late on as United looked to get something out of the game. De Ligt was withdrawn in the closing stages after a couple of mistakes, and of course the biggest talking point remains around the exclusion of Rashford as the January window opening now raises further questions on his future, and those on the bench in Antony, Casemiro and Malacia among those rumoured to be on the way out.

For Liverpool, they started with Alexander-Arnold despite the rumours of his move to Real Madrid swirling around the club in the build-up. Having settled into their system with Slot, the starting XI was as expected in the most part, although they did have to call upon their bench to try and get a foothold in the game around the 60 minute mark. Surprisingly, Trent remained on the pitch until late on despite clearly being off the pace and in need of withdrawal earlier for most fans.

Liverpool: Alisson Robertson, Can Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold (Bradley 86′), Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Gakpo (Elliott 86′), Jones (Jota 61′), Salah, Luis Diaz (Nunez 60′)

Subs: Kelleher, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Chiesa

Manchester United: Onana, Martinez, Maguire, De Ligt (Yoro 83′), Dalot, Mainoo (Garnacho 72′), Ugarte, Mazraoui, Fernandes, Amad, Hojlund (Zirkzee 86′)

Subs: Bayindir, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Collyer, Antony

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United

In a gripping encounter at Anfield on Sunday, Manchester United held Premier League leaders Liverpool to a 2-2 draw, thanks to a late equaliser from Amad Diallo. Lisandro Martínez had initially put United ahead, but goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah turned the tide in Liverpool’s favour before Diallo’s intervention salvaged a point for the visitors.

The match began with both sides probing for openings, but it was after the interval that the game sprang to life. In the 52nd minute, Martínez capitalised on a misplaced pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, firing a powerful shot past Alisson to give United the lead. Liverpool responded swiftly and just seven minutes later, Gakpo curled a precise effort into the net following a pass from Alexis Mac Allister. The hosts then took the lead in the 70th minute when Mohamed Salah converted a penalty after a VAR review adjudged Matthijs de Ligt to have handled the ball in the area.

United, undeterred, pressed forward and found their equaliser in the 80th minute. Substitute Alejandro Garnacho delivered a low cross into the box, which Diallo met with a composed finish to level the scores. The match remained tense until the final whistle, with Harry Maguire missing a late opportunity to secure victory for United, sending his shot over the bar in stoppage time.

The draw sees Liverpool maintain their position at the top of the Premier League, now six points clear with a game in hand over Arsenal. Manchester United’s spirited performance lifts them to 13th place, offering a glimmer of hope in a challenging season. Both teams will look to build on this result as they continue their campaigns.

Talking Points

Manchester United’s 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday offered a familiar narrative, Amad Diallo stepping up when it matters most. The Ivorian, whose star continues to rise, delivered another critical blow to Liverpool with a late equaliser, his second goal against the Reds in as many seasons. Introduced in the second half, Amad made the most of his limited time, latching onto Alejandro Garnacho’s low cross to finish smartly beyond Alisson and silence the Kop. For a player once on the fringes, his growing influence in the biggest games is fast becoming impossible to ignore.

The result marked a positive start to 2025 for Ruben Amorim’s side after a dismal December that saw United break all kinds of records in a negative sense, and made the start of Amorim’s tenure very difficult. Questions had been swirling around the manager and the squad’s mentality, but this performance, full of intensity, tactical discipline, and resilience offered signs of renewed focus. Goals from Lisandro Martínez and Amad, coupled with an assured midfield display from Kobbie Mainoo, showed a squad responding to pressure with purpose rather than panic.

Perhaps most tellingly, United were the better side for large stretches at Anfield. While Liverpool controlled spells of possession, it was the visitors who carved out the clearer chances and showed more cohesion in the final third. Martínez’s opener came from aggressive pressing, while both Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes threatened consistently on the counter. Though Liverpool edged ahead through a penalty from Salah, United’s equaliser felt just reward for a performance that was organised, aggressive, and, at times, dominant. For Amorim, it was a performance to build on and a timely reminder that this United side, even in transition, can still rise to the occasion.