EPL: Manchester United Hold Liverpool to 2-2 Draw at Anfield

Manchester United came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, denying the Reds a crucial win in the Premier League title race.

Manchester United secured a hard-fought point against Premier League leaders Liverpool, thanks to a late equalizer that capped off a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Following a tumultuous festive period, Manchester United delivered a spirited performance to claim a valuable point at Anfield. This result marked a welcome turnaround for the Red Devils, who had endured a dismal run of eight consecutive away league games without a win at Liverpool's home ground – their longest such streak since 1979.

Ruben Amorim's side made an encouraging start to the match, engaging in a closely contested and evenly balanced encounter. The Manchester United manager would have been heartened by his team's display, which ultimately earned them a share of the spoils.

As anticipated, Liverpool created the more promising opportunities, but Manchester United enjoyed a significant share of possession in the opening 30 minutes, crafting half-chances of their own. One notable instance saw Diogo Dalot deliver a precise cross to Amad Diallo, who was left unmarked in the box, but the forward failed to direct his header on target.

Despite showcasing their attacking prowess throughout the first half, Arne Slot's Liverpool struggled to find the clinical finish, often falling short in the decisive moments. Luis Diaz exemplified this profligacy, blasting a shot high and wide from inside the box, while Alexis Mac Allister saw his effort thwarted by Andre Onana. Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim's Manchester United continued to gain momentum, displaying comfort and composure in spells.

The Portuguese coach would have been dismayed that his side didn't capitalize on their opportunities to take the lead into the break. A prime example was Rasmus Hojlund's breakaway, where the Danish striker sprinted through on goal, only to see his shot smothered by Alisson. This near-miss denied Manchester United the advantage they had been seeking, leaving the contest delicately poised at halftime.

Manchester United sustained their impressive display after the interval, particularly exploiting Liverpool's vulnerability down their right flank. The visitors' persistence paid off in the 52nd minute, as Lisandro Martinez intercepted Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass and swiftly combined with Bruno Fernandes. Martinez then unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle, finding the top corner and scoring Manchester United's first goal at Anfield in six years.

However, the Red Devils' lead was short-lived, as Liverpool equalized soon after. Cody Gakpo was expertly picked out by Alexis Mac Allister, and the Dutch forward skillfully cut inside Matthijs de Ligt before firing a precise shot into the far corner. Manchester United's hard work was undone after the hour mark, as De Ligt was penalized for handling the ball in the box. Mohamed Salah subsequently converted the resulting penalty kick, despite Andre Onana getting a hand to the ball.

In an effort to regain the initiative, Ruben Amorim introduced Alejandro Garnacho after falling behind. The Argentine winger made an instant impact, sprinting down the left flank and delivering a driven ball into the box. Amad Diallo capitalized on the opportunity, sweeping the ball home to level the scores once again.

As the match entered its final stages, both teams pushed aggressively for a winning goal, transforming the game into a frenetic, end-to-end contest with chances arising at both ends. The goalkeepers on either side were repeatedly called upon to make crucial interventions, but ultimately, neither team could find the decisive third goal, resulting in a 2-2 stalemate – Liverpool's second consecutive draw at Anfield in the league.

Although the result was disappointing for Liverpool, who had fought back from a goal down, they can take solace in the fact that their lead over Arsenal remains unchanged heading into 2025. Furthermore, the Reds can draw pride from their impressive recent record against Manchester United, having suffered only one defeat in their last 14 league encounters with the Red Devils.