Man United holds Liverpool to thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield

In a match full of drama, Manchester United defied expectations to secure a 2-2 draw against league-leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday evening. Despite Cody Gakpo’s brilliance and an unfortunate penalty, Rúben Amorim’s side dug deep to snatch a valuable point, climbing to 13th place in the Premier League.

A tale of two halves

Liverpool started the game as heavy favorites, with hopes of extending their lead at the top of the table. The opening exchanges reflected this confidence as the home side dominated possession and created multiple chances. However, United's defense, led by André Onana’s sharp saves, held firm. Rasmus Højlund even had a chance to open the scoring for United, forcing a save from Alisson Becker as the first half ended goalless. United stunned the Anfield faithful just after the break. Bruno Fernandes found Lisandro Martínez in space, and the Argentine defender unleashed a thunderous strike into the net, giving United a shock 1-0 lead. The improbable seemed possible, but Liverpool quickly responded. Cody Gakpo turned sharply past De Ligt and blasted the equalizer into the net, restoring parity within minutes.

A controversial penalty

The game took another twist when De Ligt was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Although referee Michael Oliver initially waved play on, a VAR review led to a penalty for Liverpool. Mohamed Salah stepped up and coolly converted to put the home side ahead 2-1. The Kop erupted, with chants mocking United’s struggles this season.

United’s resilience shines through

Just when it seemed Liverpool would secure all three points, United struck back. Alejandro Garnacho delivered a pinpoint cross that found Amad Diallo, who outpaced Andy Robertson to head home the equalizer in the 75th minute. The goal silenced the Anfield crowd and showcased United’s fighting spirit under Amorim. The match ended with a frenetic final phase. Harry Maguire, set up brilliantly by substitute Joshua Zirkzee, missed a golden chance to win it for United, firing over from close range in the dying moments. Despite the miss, United’s players walked off the pitch with their heads held high, having secured a hard-earned draw at one of the toughest venues in football.

What it means for both teams

For Liverpool, the draw keeps them six points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand, leaving them in a strong position to pursue their 20th league title, which would equal Manchester United’s record. Manager Arne Slot will rue the missed opportunity to secure all three points but will take solace in his team’s continued leadership of the league. For United, this result feels like a victory. Amorim’s men fought against the odds and came away with a point in a fixture where they’ve struggled for nearly a decade. While the club’s 13th-place position remains far below expectations, performances like this offer a glimmer of hope for a brighter second half of the season. As the title race heats up and United seeks stability, this classic encounter will be remembered as a thrilling chapter in one of football’s fiercest rivalries.