1/05/25 at Anfield

The first game of 2025 for Liverpool has come and gone. And the outcome was far from expected. I think it’s clear that rivalry games are always hotly contested, however, with the way both of these teams have played this season, most people were expecting a thumping. Manchester United made the short trip west to Anfield only to leave on level terms. But this was a major positive for the Red Devils, having scored their first two goals at Anfield since 2018. It’s safe to say that Liverpool has dominated this matchup in recent years, especially at home, but not today. The score ended in a 2-2 draw, leaving a 6 point gap at the top of the table with a game in hand for the Reds.

Liverpool began the game with Gakpo, Díaz, and Salah up front. Jones, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch in the center. Robertson, Van Dijk, Konaté, and Alexander-Arnold in the back. And the star goalkeeper, Allison Becker between the posts.

Manchester United on the other hand started with Højlund up top. Fernandes, Amad, Mainoo, and Ugarte in the middle. Dalot and Mazroui playing as wing-backs. A back three of Martínez Maguire and de Ligt. And finally, Andre Onana in goal.

From the beginning, you could tell that United came differently compared to their last tie with Newcastle United mid-week, where they lost two to nil. Liverpool was the team probing, however United were not just simply defending. They were creating chances of their own. Most of the credit could be attributed to their number eight, Bruno Fernandes, whose creativity was causing many problems for Liverpool. For the Reds, the Egyptian King was doing his thing, creating wonderful chances for Alexis Mac Allister in the first half. However, neither team was able to break the barrier. The half ended level.

When the second half started, it was apparent that the game was much more end to end. Both clubs were having chance after chance. United could have been in on goal, and with a blink, Liverpool would be making their way back up the pitch and vise versa. But, after a lapse in judgement from Alexander-Arnold with an errant pass, Bruno Fernandes was cutting in and out of defenders outside Liverpool’s box. He then found Lisandro Martínez with a wonderful pass, leading to a rocket of a shot past the Brazilian. It was one to nil in the 52nd minute.

With that goal, Arne Slot thought it would be best to introduce substitutes Darwin Nuñez and Diogo Jota for Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones. Now, I’m unsure if Gakpo knew if he was being subbed or not, but he wasn’t having any of it. In the 59th minute, Alexis Mac Allister found Gakpo streaking down the left wing. He faked a shot, sending de Ligt onto the floor, cut back, and whipped the ball into the top right corner. The score was now one to one, and Slot switched his substitutions to keep Gakpo on the pitch. Luis Díaz took his spot, ending his day at the office.

However, even with more fresh legs up front, Liverpool still struggled against United’s defense. There were a few chances on both ends, but nothing came to fruition. Until, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was having a poor game, whipped a ball into the box onto Mac Allister, who headed it straight into the raised arm of de Ligt. The game continued on for a moment, but when the referee, Michael Oliver, checked the VAR, he was very quick to point to the spot. This would provide yet another opportunity for Mohamed Salah to get his name on the scoresheet. He stepped up to the spot, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner. Onana did well to guess the right way, but was unable to get a strong hand on the ball. The game was now two to one, with 20 minutes remaining.

Now, it was time for United to make their substitutions. Alejandro Garnacho, who has struggled for time since the signing of Amorim, came on for Mainoo to provide an extra attacking option. This seemed to bring new life to the Red Devils, as they were responding in kind to Liverpool’s leading goal. Generally this season, Manchester United have shrunk at the opportunity to come back in games. But today was different. They were playing against their long time rivals, and would not go down without a fight. Garnacho, who had been on the pitch for a mere seven minutes received the ball on the wing, and drove a ball into the box with his left. Somehow, some way, the ball almost rolled across the entire net, until Amad slotted it into the bottom right corner, first time. It was level once again.

Leading into this game, many would have expected a big donut next to United’s name on the scoresheet. But now, with 10 minutes to go, either club figured they should be the one winning the game. Amorim thus decided to bring on more fresh legs for his squad in Lenny Yoro, and Joshua Zirkzee, who was shunned by his own fans following the Newcastle loss. The game continued to be end to end with both teams clutching their heads at the missed chances. And with time winding down to the final seconds, United would have an opportunity to get the last laugh. Zirkzee received the ball on the wing, and was in on goal. He then, unselfishly, but maybe stupidly, laid the ball off to Harry Maguire who was a sitting duck in the middle of the box. Naturally so, in usual Harry Maguire fashion, he skied the ball over the net, and the whistle blew straight after.

Ultimately, this game asks a lot of questions going forward for both clubs. For the Reds, can they continue to capitalize when chasing teams drop points. Today did not work out in that fashion, however, this season, they have done a decent job in doing so. As for Manchester United, the question remains on if their high level of play came in spirit of the rivalry game. Can they now continue this against lower teams in the table? Granted, there aren’t that many teams below them, however, I acknowledge that their point tally is not an accurate portrayal of their squads talent. There is much work to do for their team, but in my opinion, they have the pieces to challenge for some type of European football.

The Reds will now prepare to face Tottenham once again, this time in the first leg in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup. And as for United, they get ready to face Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.