Relegation, big-wig benchwarmers, Marcus Rashford placement/substitute, switch insurance policies, Old Trafford revival, and whatnot – the nice Manchester United descent was in full swing when Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils visited Anfield to resume their Premier League rivalry with Liverpool on Sunday. Already beneath the pump after the Newcastle botch job, Amorim-coached Man United produced a much-improved scoreline for the partisans at Anfield.
Quizzed by former Reds ahead Daniel Sturridge at Anfield, a Liverpool devoted was daring sufficient to foretell a 7-0 scoreline within the build-up to the showdown. Six hours later, the crestfallen Red Devils performed out a four-goal thriller in opposition to table-toppers Liverpool to disclaim Arne Slot’s males an eight-point lead on the prime. Humiliated on New Year’s Eve on the Theatre of Dreams, misfiring Manchester United efficiently averted 4 consecutive defeats (for the primary time since 1979) within the Premier League.
Martinez saves Matthijs’ blushes
Seven factors from the relegation zone, Man United took a shock lead over Liverpool when Lisandro Martinez fired a thunderous shot to outclass world-class Alisson Becker within the 52nd minute. While ex-Bayern Munich starman Matthijs de Ligt had one other forgetful evening, Argentina defender Martinez earned plaudits for his all-around present. The £56.7m signing from the home of Ajax virtually engineered the opener by means of Rasmus Hojlund within the first half. Seven into the primary half, Martinez cashed in on a Bruno Fernandes by means of ball to open the scoring for the Red Devils.
Salah sizzles once more, completes aspect Suarez quest
A Cody Gakpo particular compelled Slot to increase the Dutchman’s keep within the second half earlier than Liverpool took the lead by means of free-scoring Mohamed Salah. Slotting house the penalty within the seventieth minute, Salah took his objective tally to 18 within the English prime flight this season. Liverpool’s Golden Boot frontrunner has a file objective involvements (31) within the first 19 Premier League outings of a season. Imperious Salah has surpassed Luis Suarez, who had 30 objective involvements (23 objectives, 7 assists) within the 2013-14 season. No participant has scored extra objectives in opposition to United than Salah (13) since 2020. Salah additionally matched Thierry Henry’s objective tally (175) within the Premier League.
Can Amorim maintain United Rashford-free?
Rashford was dropped from the Man Utd squad once more, however his absence was justified. Tipped to go away Old Trafford within the January switch window, Rashford missed the Anfield journey resulting from sickness. Amad Diallo, who snatched the derby win for Man United at Etihad, headlined the spirited show of the Red Devils in opposition to Liverpool. Capping off the redemption evening for the guests at Anfield, Diallo cancelled Salah’s strike by obliging to Alejandro Garnacho’s cut-back within the eightieth minute.
Oh Harry!
United’s stalemate assertion at Anfield was overshadowed by Harry Maguire’s unacceptable miss seconds earlier than the ultimate whistle. On commentary obligation for Sky Sports, former Man United captain Gary Neville was visibly dissatisfied after Maguire did not seal a surprising win for United at Anfield. “Oh, my god! I am unable to consider it. It could be offside however Harry Maguire wasn’t to know that. It’s bobbled into him, to be truthful, he is acquired a bit of labor to do to regulate it, it is midway up his shin and that is it,” Neville defined.
“Listen, that will have been superb if they may have gained it on the finish however what they did was present loads of preventing spirit. That’s what I requested for firstly of the sport and the bonus was the standard of play, to attain two objectives, they practically gained it on the finish,” added Roy Keane because the United legend credited each groups after the ultimate whistle. Thirteenth-placed Man United will journey to London for a heavyweight FA Cup conflict with Arsenal on Sunday.
