Diallo’s goal leads to a draw… and Maguire misses the sitter in the last minute
Amad Diallo’s strike 10 minutes from time ended Manchester United’s run of three Premier League defeats with a surprise point after a thrilling second half at league leaders Liverpool.
Ruben Amorim’s side, 23 points behind the league leaders Reds, impressed in a relatively uneventful first half before taking the lead when Lisandro Martinez fired home from Bruno Fernandes’ ball.
Liverpool, who have lost once in all competitions this season, equalized within eight minutes through an angled finish from Cody Gakpo and United’s miserable form seemed to continue in cruel fashion when Mohamed Salah scored a penalty in the 70th minute following a penalty Matthijs de Ligt’s handball.
Diallo fired home from Alejandro Garnacho’s shot to restore parity for United, who should have scored again with seconds left when Harry Maguire fired a golden chance over the crossbar from Joshua Zirkzee’s pass.
Amad sweeps Garnacho’s flat cross into the goal 😮
What a GAME this is at Anfield! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LWRlKvyAE5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
In case United fans needed a reason to fear a trip to Anfield this season, their team has been without a win there since 2016 and without a goal since a 3-1 defeat in 2018.
After a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle on Monday in which they conceded both goals until the 20th minute, Amorim saw his players put in a far more respectable performance in the first half, with Rasmus Hojlund denying a fine save from Alisson.
Lisandro Martínez unleashes a lightning strike beyond Alisson! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z3vmqkbIol
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Amorim’s decision to concentrate most of United’s attacks on the left appeared wise given the shaky defensive performance of Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Diallo should have benefited when Diogo Dalot placed him in front of goal with a cross from that side, but the midfielder bizarrely redirected his header outside the penalty area in the direction away from goal.
Cody Gakpo scores a sensational solo strike against Onana! 😨 pic.twitter.com/ggR8CJLNMk
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Visiting goalkeeper Andre Onana did well to keep out Alexis Mac Allister’s early shot and United’s reward for their improvement was Martinez’s emphatic opener with her 45th try at Anfield since their last goal there.
Amorim will rue United’s failure in the 19 minutes after the first goal, in which Liverpool had all five shots and seven of the nine touches of the ball inside the penalty area between the teams.
The Egyptian king scores for Liverpool! 👑 pic.twitter.com/cYPl8H75PN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
United’s distribution also appeared to be out of whack with an unlikely win in sight, resulting in a dreadful 51% accuracy over the period, compared to Liverpool’s 77%.
Salah’s 13th goal in his last 11 appearances in this game appeared to give Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the table, but Diallo once again proved his team’s hero when he scored the winner in the 90th minute at Manchester City on December 15 .
Even for a defender better known for his aerial prowess, Maguire almost certainly should have secured the three points, but the centre-back fired the ball well over the bar, to the relief of much of the stadium.
United have moved up to 13th, while Liverpool are six points clear and a game ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who drew 1-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
