Manchester United frustrate Liverpool in Premier League in spectacular match

The match: 2-2

Uncertain weather due to weather conditions (snow), the England derby took place this Sunday at Anfield. For the 20th day of the Premier League, the first of the return phase, Liverpool fell against the Mancunians who were aggressive and consistent from start to finish (2-2). If the Reds are rolling over England (and Europe) this season, this time they were unable to make the difference against Ruben Amorim’s team and did not take advantage of Arsenal’s misstep at Brighton (1 -1), nor Chelsea against Palace (1-1) on Saturday.

However, Liverpool had clear chances with shots from Cody Gakpo (14th), Alexis McAllister (16th) and Ryan Gravenberch (29th) in the first act. In vain because the locals even ended up being surprised when they returned from the locker room. On a delicious serve from Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez sent a powerful shot under Alisson’s bar from a tight angle (52nd). Euphoric, the Red Devils did not remain so for very long, de Ligt finding himself in front of a clinical Gakpo (59th) before continuing his sad afternoon (see elsewhere) by conceding a penalty, transformed into force by Mohamed Salah (70th).

Not dejected however, Manchester United got back into the game thanks to a goal from Amad Diallo (80th), the man of the big events, already decisive scorer on December 15 during his team’s victory in the Manchester derby (2-1). Thanks to an impeccable André Onana in the final moments, the visitors gleaned a precious point while on a final opportunity, Harry Maguire missed the target from close range (90th + 7). With this result, United remain stuck in a dismal 13th place. Leader, Liverpool is only 6 points ahead of its runner-up Arsenal, but still has one more match to play (against Everton on February 11).

The player: de Ligt, what an ordeal

Matthijs de Ligt will remember his first at Anfield for a long time. Aligned alongside Maguire, the Dutchman initially had a rather quiet first act before seeing, upon returning from the locker room, his game change. Chilled by Cody Gakpo’s devastating hook on the Reds’ equalizer (59th), he immediately received a yellow card by hooking Darwin Nunez who had played him on a counter-attack.

To make matters worse, his hand completely off the surface on a MacAllister header is quite inexplicable and cost his team a penalty, an offering that Salah did not let slip away (70th). Replaced in the 84th minute by Leny Yoro (84th), surely to put an end to his ordeal.