Liverpool 2-2 Man United: Five things learned as rivals play out entertaining Anfield stalemate | OneFootball

Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool head coach Arne Slot suggested that Manchester United were better than their position in the Premier League table indicated.

Considering the significant disparity between the sides heading into this latest showdown, many thought the Dutchman’s comments were an early April Fools’ joke, but they were earnest. This came after a question about whether he planned to rest his players for the match. Liverpool, at the top of the table, had a six-point lead, with a game in hand, and were 23 points ahead of United, who had just suffered their fifth defeat in six Premier League matches.

United seemingly forgot how to score, while Liverpool continued to excel offensively, boasting the league’s most formidable attack. After embarrassing the Red Devils at Old Trafford, few expected the first game to end in a 2-2 draw. At that point, Slot, mixed in his feelings, felt somewhat vindicated. Unlike many, he remembered that form often goes straight out the window in derby matches.

Nothing illustrated that point more clearly than when Manchester United took the lead with Lisandro Martínez’s goal. However, their joy was short-lived as Cody Gakpo equalised, followed by Mohamed Salah, who scored from the penalty spot to put the hosts ahead. Just when it seemed that three points were destined to remain at Anfield, the Red Devils pulled off the unthinkable, with Amad Diallo’s effort securing a well-deserved point.

Here are five things we learned from a largely entertaining affair on Merseyside.

1. Ugarte arrives

Before Ruben Amorim’s appointment was finalized, many identified Manuel Ugarte, who had worked under the Portuguese tactician at Sporting CP, as a potential key player in his frequently discussed 3-4-2-1 system. Until now, Ugarte has shown glimpses of his talent whenever he has been available in United’s midfield, but last night felt like a breakthrough performance for him. By the end of the match, only United captain Bruno Fernandes had won more duels (11) than Ugarte (8), and he was the only player on the pitch to attempt over 40 passes, achieving a completion rate of more than 87%.

Ugarte’s impressive performances come on the heels of reports that, after Martín Zubimendi declined a transfer to Liverpool last summer, Paris Saint-Germain offered Ugarte as a potential signing for the central midfield position. According to The Times, Slot was seeking a “constructive, not destructive” midfielder to fill the number six role, which led him to choose Ryan Gravenberch instead.

2. Mac Allister steps up

Another midfielder from South America who excelled in today’s game was Alexis Mac Allister. He provided the assist for Liverpool’s equaliser and achieved an impressive 100% passing accuracy in the final third. Mac Allister also had the most shots on goal for Liverpool, with Andre Onana notably denying him the chance to score the game’s first goal. His five touches in the opposition box were second only to Salah’s, highlighting his newfound success in a box-to-box role.

3. Trent targeted

In this match, 53.8% of Manchester United’s attacks came down their left side, while only 28.1% came from the right. Diogo Dalot recorded the second-most touches of any Manchester United player. Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled defensively in the first half, failing to win any of the four duels he participated in and being dribbled past twice.

With continuous threats coming from the right, Alexander-Arnold made a careless pass shortly after the break that was intercepted. Fernandes then skillfully slipped the ball to Martínez with a clever disguise. Martínez’s strike was impressive, marking the first time United scored at Anfield in six attempts.

“There’s been a lot of talk coming into this game but Trent Alexander-Arnold better hope Real Madrid aren’t watching,” Carragher responded on Sky Sports commentary after what he saw.

4. Salah’s streak

We may be midway through the 2024/25 season, but surely there is no one else in consideration for Player of the Year than Liverpool’s Mo Salah. He has now registered 18 goals and 13 assists in 19 Premier League games, marking the most goal involvements ever recorded by a player in their first 19 appearances of a season in the competition. This achievement surpassed Luis Suárez’s record of 30 goal involvements in 2013-14 (23 goals, seven assists).

If that isn’t impressive enough, Salah has also equalled Thierry Henry’s tally of 175 career Premier League goals. Additionally, there have been five occasions when a player has either scored or assisted in 12 or more consecutive Premier League games, with Salah holding three of those records:

Salah’s performances this season are nothing short of extraordinary.

5. Amad comes in clutch

For a while, it seemed that if Manchester United were to achieve anything under Amorim, it would involve Amad Diallo. However, like the rest of his teammates, the winger-turned-wing-back has been off form in recent weeks. Yet, Diallo, who impressed early on in United’s latest regime, came through in crucial moments again.

Since the start of last season, he has scored a dramatic 120+1st-minute winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup, a 90th-minute winner against Manchester City, and an 80th-minute equaliser against Liverpool at Anfield. Additionally, he became the third Manchester United player to score away at both Manchester City and Liverpool in the same Premier League season, following Wayne Rooney in 2004/05 and Robin van Persie in 2012/13.

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