Manchester United defied pre-match expectations to earn a point at Liverpool in a competitive 2-2 draw.
Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United were unlucky not to leave Anfield with all three points, holding Liverpool to a draw.
Lisandro Martinez and Amad scored for United, with Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah netting for Liverpool.
This was a positive way to begin 2025 after ending 2024 with four straight losses. Here is a look at the winners and losers from the game…
Winners
We have narrowed it down to five winners, and quite easily could have packed in a few more.
Lisandro Martinez: Manchester United’s first away goal at Liverpool since 2016 was scored by centre-back Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez’s goal was a thumping finish, crashed in off the underside of the bar, one that would have been a worthy winner if United had held on.
The Argentine’s strike followed a tenacious defensive display where he was strong in the tackle, quick, and made smart decisions. His form had been wobbly in recent weeks, this was much better.
Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United missed Bruno Fernandes against Newcastle when he was suspended, and his performance against Liverpool was immaculate.
Fernandes was prudent in possession, he did not take risks and lose the ball easily on transition, every decision was measured.
His perfectly timed pass for Martinez’s goal saw him provide his 12th assist of the season, in addition to his six goals.
Manuel Ugarte: Manchester United’s best player on the pitch, when you have Manuel Ugarte on the pitch in a big away game like this, you have a chance.
Ugarte was everywhere off the ball, and composed in possession, and he is beginning to look more and more settled as a United player. Like Fernandes, he was badly missed against Newcastle.
Alejandro Garnacho: Ever since Ruben Amorim came in, Alejandro Garnacho has looked like he does not quite fit into his system. This was his best moment under the new boss.
Garnacho came off the bench and provided the assist for Amad to score the equaliser. This will give him confidence, and a renewed sense of belonging.
Ruben Amorim: Manchester United’s head coach needed a result after four straight losses. This was a good way to get some points on the board.
Ruben Amorim has made clear he needs time on the training ground with his players. He had it in the build-up to this game, and United looked better for it.
On this evidence of this game, United will be just fine under Amorim and go on to achieve a respectable league position by time the current season is over.
Honorable mentions: Kobbie Mainoo, Andre Onana, Leny Yoro
Losers
United were not quite perfect, and there are two players who will reflect they could have done better at Anfield.
Matthijs de Ligt: Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt had a 15 minutes to forget at Anfield and it turned the game.
De Ligt went to ground too easily against Cody Gakpo, allowing his Dutch teammate to turn inside and curl in an equaliser.
Then minutes later he got himself into a real mess with a handball inside the box that gave Michael Oliver an easy choice to award a penalty once it was sent to VAR.
Rasmus Hojlund: Manchester United should have been leading at half-time after Rasmus Hojlund was put through one v one. His shot went straight at Alisson.
It is the second year in a row Hojlund has missed a sitter at Anfield, and it came days after he spurned a must-score chance at home to Newcastle.
The Dane needs to be more clinical if he is going to lead the line for United, or he can expect to be replaced.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
