Amad Diallo's late goal earned Manchester United a deserved point as they defied recent form to draw 2-2 with league leaders Liverpool in a thriller at Anfield.
Lisandro Martinez had given United the lead in the second half, but Cody Gakpo's equalizer was followed by a Mohamed Salah penalty that briefly appeared to have sealed the victory that would have given Arne Slot's side eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
But Amad headed home, much to the delight of the away fans, securing a result that provides some encouragement for Ruben Amorim and lifts his United side above West Ham into 13th place.
Harry Maguire could have even secured victory for the visitors in the dying seconds, but skied his effort over the crossbar.
Trent has a game to forget
Liverpool are still six points clear with a game against Arsenal, but this was an unconvincing effort to start 2025, a year full of mistakes.
“It will feel like a missed opportunity for Liverpool,” said Jamie Carragher in a co-commentary for Sky Sports.
The returning Ibrahima Konate had a difficult afternoon but that was nothing compared to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Liverpool right-back was at fault in United's opener, losing possession and his man, but that was just one element of an alarming display. Alexander-Arnold's division was unusually bleak and he constantly defended an issue.
After being booked late, he was hooked on Conor Bradley, who did more in his short spell than Real Madrid transfer target Alexander-Arnold had mustered all game. “Trent is not at the races,” Carragher said.
Man Utd's best under Amorim?
Amorim had pointed out the preparation time United had enjoyed after a hectic festive period. “We've had more time to train two days in a row. I think that can help us.” That showed how organized his United team looked from the start.
Everton were beaten 4–0 at Old Trafford, but this was better as United managed to frustrate Liverpool, preventing them from building early momentum. Luis Diaz shot over and Alexis Mac Allister saw his first shot saved by Andre Onana, but that was it.
United had moments for their goals. Amad headed wrong after Diogo Dalot fell behind, while Rasmus Hojlund had a shot saved by Alisson from the corner. Even the second Liverpool goal was unfortunate, a handball call against Matthijs de Ligt.
They could even have won it and it would hardly have been unfair. Joshua Zirkzee was behind him along the right line and opted to direct the ball to Maguire, but the pass was a bobbled pass that the burly centre-back managed to fire over Alisson's crossbar.
Neville: It was a huge change
Sky Sports' Gary Neville on Manchester United's performance:
“It was a huge change. To come to Anfield, the best team in the league all year, was by far the best performance under Ruben Amorim, if not all season.”
“It surpasses winning over [Manchester] City are in a bad moment and were lucky to get that win.
But today they were great, they fully deserved their win. Sorry, it felt like that. There isn't a Manchester United fan who woke up not expecting the worst.
“[Kobbie] Mainoo, [Manuel] Ugarte and [Bruno] Fernandes controlled the midfield against [Ryan] Gravenberch, [Curtis] Jones and Mac Allister, who have been excellent all season.
“The back line did well, but they were the standouts. It was an excellent performance.”
Amorim happy with mentality
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim speaks at the press conference:
“I want to see my team play so much better, but I think the most important thing we have to address today is the mentality. That is the key for everything. Today we were a different team, not because of the system, not because of the technical aspect of the game [or] the tactical aspect of the game.
“We compete like we should every day. Training and competition. It doesn't matter where the opponents are, we have to face them that way every day.”
Carra: Trent was very poor
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher on Trent Alexander-Arnold's performance:
“I thought he was very poor. The match couldn't have gone much worse for him, there would always be attention for him.
“I expected him to put in a performance that he has done so many times before, dominating the game from right back. He is a playmaker. I had the feeling that Manchester United's system would play into his hands, that there would be a lot of room to play.” He raises his head and crosses it.
“I thought he would think about the fact that everyone is talking negatively about him, and that he had done a great job. He was bad defensively, but nothing happened on the ball.”
“Only he knows if the conversation affected him, but the fact that he was so bad in the first game after Real Madrid made a bid tells me it must have affected him.”
Conclusion: Rumors had no effect on Trent
Liverpool boss Arne Slot disagreed that Real Madrid's impact hit Alexander-Arnold:
“I don't believe in those things, but I think nine out of 10 people will tell you it affected him. But I'm one of ten who will tell you that I don't think that affected him.
“What influenced him is that he had to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, two starters from Portugal, great, great, great players.
“And we have a fantastic player here, Diogo Jota, and he doesn't even play for Portugal, or most of the time he doesn't play. So that tells you how much quality United have.”
“And when these players focus on a match, which is what United does every now and then, it is very difficult to play against them.
“And I think it is more difficult for Trent to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot than it is [to deal with] the rumors that were going on during the week. But that's my opinion, and everyone will probably tell you it has to do with the rumors.”
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