A point might be fine in some circumstances, but there were some concerns for Liverpool in their 2-2 Premier League draw with Manchester United.
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United
Premier League (19) | anfield
January 5, 2025
target: Leg cloth 60′, Salafen 70′; Martinez 50′, Diallo 80′
1. Alexis Mac Allister Masterclass
There was a lot of talk on Sky Sports about how Manchester United’s midfield looked half-incompetent at one point, but the standout player in the center of the park was wearing Liverpool red.
Alexis Mac Allister was head and shoulders above his teammates and opponents, bringing some control and quality to a game that was at times quite hectic and messy.
There was a first-time pass from the left touchline that opened the pitch for Liverpool’s attacking movement to take shape, and shortly thereafter a first-time shot tested Andre Onana.
There were a series of similar moments throughout the game as he engineered many of Liverpool’s most dangerous attacks.
The Argentine got a statistical entry for his performance with an assist on Gakpo’s goal, but it was his overall play that really stood out.
Bruno Fernandes was named Man of the Match, but Mac Allister was at least as good.
2. A surge in the second half?
Liverpool, under Arne Slot, have become famous for taking on the game, sometimes slowly and often in the second half after a fairly uneventful first period.
At times the game felt less like Slot’s Liverpool and more like a throwback to the turbulent days of the Jurgen Klopp era.
Players raced upfield to attack and then again to defend, but Liverpool could still be effective in those situations as they were the best in the world in that era.
Sometimes it was like that here. Gakpo got up first, sat Matthijs de Ligt down, and then shot him in typically decisive fashion.
De Ligt was involved again, handling the ball to concede a penalty, and Mo Salah was just about to convert when Andre Onana went the right way and probably should have saved.
3. Taawol
There has at times been an unfair focus on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive play, which has actually been decent this season, but there was legitimate criticism of Liverpool’s right-back in this match.
The easiest, almost cliché explanation is that with interest from Real Madrid and his contract expiring at the end of the season, his mind was elsewhere, but sometimes the games just didn’t suit him defensively and this was one of them.
In the first half, United looked to be trying to get into the area behind Alexander-Arnold and between him and centre-back Ibrahima Konate, who didn’t look perfect.
Diogo Dalot raced past him for United’s first goal, and when Liverpool took the ball in, Trent passed straight to a United player. The second time he and Konate were pulled from their positions.
Trent was eventually replaced by Connor Bradley, but this should have happened early in the second half.
Meanwhile, Andy Robertson will be happy to be in the limelight at this point as Trent hasn’t been much better at the other end.
4. Points Might Be Ok
This was a typical derby in the sense that United looked much better than they have all season and, despite winning the other game, went into this great rivalry with their most convincing performance under Ruben Amorim.
The stats show Liverpool had the better xG but United missed two of the three big chances they created and could have easily won late on had Harry Maguire not put the ball over the bar.
Alisson had to make a few really good, important saves to help his team stay at least level.
Getting a point from such a game that could easily have been nothing is not too bad for Liverpool considering the circumstances.
But if this happens, the next game is a win and the next game against Nottingham Forest, the only team to beat Liverpool this season, is crucial.
5. Cup integration
After a cutthroat contest, there could be more to come in the midweek clash with Premier League troublemakers Tottenham.
A two-legged tie could create a different dynamic, but given the way Slot has approached the Champions League, he may be looking to win this game in the first leg.
This is followed by an FA Cup draw with Accrington Stanley next weekend, and these two games will help Slot consolidate his team as some players return from injury.
With Conor Bradley and Konate both back and Dominik Szoboszlai out due to illness, Joe Gomez is currently the only injured player in the squad.
Slots should use these cup games to build match fitness for those who need it, while also keeping his star players sharp. This is something the new manager and his staff have done well since their arrival.
Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United
