RAGE AGAINST THE LIVERPOOL MACHINE Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 5, 2025. Picture: Darren Staples / AFP
Image: Darren Staples / AFP
While it may have been a result few expected, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim was encouraged by what he saw from his troops in their 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
Seldom had the balance been more in favour of Liverpool ahead of the much-anticipated clash, but once the first whistle sounded it did not seem like the table toppers were taking on a United team a couple spots above the relegation zone.
Though the first half ended goalless, the interval signalled a flurry of goals as United first took a shock lead in the 52nd minute through Lisandro Martinez.
That blow shocked Liverpool into action as they responded with the equaliser just seven minutes later as Cody Gakpo struck.
"I want to see my team play so much better but the key today is the mentality," said Amorim.
"I feel that we are, not just the players but everyone at Manchester United, too comfortable. We need sometimes a shock and you can see today we were a different team."
The Liverpool comeback, however, was complete when Mohamed Salah put his side ahead with a 70th minute penalty.
United though, would have the final say as Amad Diallo levelled the scores once more with 10 minutes remaining.
In fact, United’s Harry Maguire had the chance to snatch the win with the final kick of the game but rammed his shot over the crossbar with the Liverpool defence scrambling.
The draw left Liverpool six points clear on 46 from 19 matches ahead at the top of the tablem with a game in hand over Arsenal.
United, meanwhile, languish in 13th position with 23 points from 20 games,
Amorim implored his side to play like they did against their age old rivals, every week.
"Today we were a different team not because of the system or tactical part of the game. It doesn't matter who the opponent is, we need to play every day like that," said Amorim.
"Today is all about the focus. The focus on set pieces, the focus on passing the ball where we cannot lose the ball because in the other part of the pitch is (Mohamed) Salah and (Luis) Diaz.