Amad Diallo's goal 10 minutes before the end ended Manchester United's three-game losing streak in the English Premier League with a surprise point after a thrilling second half against leaders Liverpool.
Trailing the leaders Reds by 23 points, Ruben Amorim's side excelled during a relatively quiet first period before taking the lead when Lisandro Martinez fired home a well-placed shot from Bruno Fernandes.
Liverpool, who have lost once this season in all competitions, equalized within eight minutes through Cody Jacobo, and it looked like United's miserable performance would continue in cruel fashion when Mohamed Salah scored a penalty kick in the 70th minute as a result of Matthijs de Ligt's handball. .
Diallo headed home from Alejandro Garnacho's pass to restore parity for United, who should have scored again with seconds remaining when Harry Maguire fired a golden chance over the bar from Joshua Zirkzee's pass.
Imad sweeps the net from Garnacho's low cross š®
What a match at Anfield! š„ pic.twitter.com/LWRlKvyAE5
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
In case United fans ask for any reasons to fear a trip to Anfield this season, their side have arrived there without a win since 2016 and without a goal since a 3-1 defeat in 2018.
After a 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle in which they conceded both goals by the 20th minute on Monday, Amorim saw his players put in a more respectable display in the first half, with Rasmus Hoglund making an impressive save from Alisson's shot.
Lisandro Martinez unleashes a lightning strike that goes past Alisson! š„ pic.twitter.com/z3vmqkbIol
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Amorim's decision to focus most of United's attacks on the left flank seemed wise in the context of Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold's shaky defensive display.
Diallo was supposed to benefit when Diogo Dalot put him in front of goal with a cross from that side, but the midfielder strangely redirected his header outside the penalty area in the opposite direction of the goal.
Cody Jacobo hits a thrilling single shot against Onana! šØ pic.twitter.com/ggR8CJLNMk
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Visiting goalkeeper Andre Onana did well to keep out Alexis McAllister's early shot, and United's reward for their improvement was Martins' opener with his 45th attempt at Anfield since their previous goal there.
Amorim will rue United's slump in the 19 minutes following their first goal, with Liverpool hitting all five shots and seven of the nine touches inside the penalty area between the two teams.
The Egyptian king scores for Liverpool! š pic.twitter.com/cYPl8H75PN
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
United's distribution also appeared to go awry with an unexpected win on the horizon, resulting in a terrible 51% accuracy during that period, compared to Liverpool's 77%.
Salah's 13th goal in his last 11 appearances in the match looked like it would give Liverpool an eight-point lead at the top of the table, but Diallo once again proved the hero for his side, as he was when he scored the 90th-minute winner against Manchester City. On December 15th.
United rose to 13th place, while Liverpool is six points ahead and has a game in hand over second-placed Arsenal, which drew 1-1 with its host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
