Liverpool VS Manchester United Match Report & Analysis

In one of what can be said as the entertaining games this weekend, Liverpool, the host, were held to a 2-2 draw against Premier League rivals Manchester United at Anfield. The match was marked by the intensity of play from both teams, with high stakes living up to a historic rivalry match.

The game kicked off at the Anfield stadium, the home venue of Liverpool, at exactly 16:30 GMT with all odds against the away team, Manchester United. Liverpool, the English Premier League leaders, were fighting for the first goal in the first half of the game but to no avail. The away side, Manchester United, who are also in the 13th position in the league, could not find the first goal in the first half. The first half ended with a goalless draw and can be said to be a result of cautious play from both Arne Slot and Ruben Amorim. However, the second half is where all the entertainment began.

The away side Manchester United had the first goal of the game in the 52nd minute in the second half after a strike from the Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez after a clever move from his captain Bruno Fernandez. The home team Liverpool also responded with a goal from the Netherlands winger Cody Gakpo after a superb curler shot that ended up in the top right corner of the goal post. The home side later in the second half added to their tally after a well-taken penalty kick from the Egyptian striker Mohammed Salah, giving them the lead. Liverpool could not hold on to their lead to end the game. Amad Diallo, was seen scoring the equalizer for United. Garnacho got the ball down the left flank, spotted Diallo in the penalty box of the home team, and made a cut in to the box. Manchester United could have won the game late in the additional time, but Maguire missed an unpardonable chance that could have ended up being a winning goal for the away side Manchester United.

Analysis

Manchester United

Starting with the away side Manchester United, head coach Rube Amorim opted for his favorite 3-5-2 formation. This formation was a burden for the home side anytime they wanted to get pass  the defense structure of United. Because of the three back, turning to a 5-back structural defense, including both wing backs. Also in attack, Ruben Amorim opted for the use of both wingbacks on both flanks, and this even helped in United scoring their second goal. Also, a lot of counterattacks were seen from the United team.

Liverpool

Arne Slot also always preferred the 4-2-3-1 formation. Arme Slot’s boys were also seen using both flanks with the help of both their wingers and fullbacks. Liverpool were seen being compact in the heart of defense in the early minutes of the game.

The points were shared in Liverpool, and for Liverpool it is a reminder that no game in the league is guaranteed as a win, but for United it has given them some hope to continue playing in the league.