New Delhi: Manchester United travelled to Anfield in adverse weather conditions with only one goal on their minds, avenging the humiliation of the reverse fixture early in the season. The Red Devils headed into the game on a four game losing streak, and having not won a single game of football since their 2-1 away win at the Etihad stadium in the Manchester Derby.
They competed well in the first half against United and went close to scoring a couple of times through Amad Diallo first and then through Rasmus Hojlund towards the end of the half. The deadlock was ultimately broken in the 52nd minute as the Argentinian center back broke forward towards the Liverpool goal. He latched onto a Bruno Fernandes through ball inside the Liverpool penalty box before firing a shot past Alisson into the roof of the net.
It’s all happening! 💥
United scored their first goal at Anfield in six years before Cody Gakpo equalised with his fourth in four at his home ground.#BBCFootball #LIVMUN pic.twitter.com/CLl464MU2z
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 5, 2025
The goal shocked the Anfield crowd into silence and Martinez broke United’s six year plus goal drought at Liverpool’s home ground. The Red Devils hadn’t scored at Anfield since a 3-1 defeat in December 2018, when Jesse Lingard equalized in that game before a Xherdan Shaquiri brace sealed a win for Liverpool. Martinez’s goal gave United an unlikely lead against a dangerous Liverpool side, filling them with confidence.
Liverpool weren’t behind for long
31 – Mo Salah has 18 goals and 13 assists in 19 Premier League games this season, the most goal involvements ever by a player in their first 19 appearances of a campaign in the competition, overtaking Luis Suárez’s 30 in 2013-14 (23 goals, 7 assists). Throne. pic.twitter.com/QpNVAnD7DN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 5, 2025
The Reds however proved why they’re the best team in the country currently and weren’t fazed by going behind early in the second half. United could hold on to their lead for just seven minutes as Liverpool equalized in the 59th minute. United failed to clear the ball properly and it fell to Alexis Mac Allister who played a good through ball to Cody Gakpo who creeped into the box and hit an unstoppable shot from an angle to bring his side back level.
Liverpool then completed their comeback 10 minutes later as Mac Allister’s header hit De Ligt’s outstretched hand inside the box which was waved off at first. The VAR then called referee Michael Oliver to the pitch side monitor who then deemed the handball to be a foul and gave Liverpool a penalty. Up stepped Mohamed Salah, the man who has always haunted Manchester United, and he hit a fierce shot past Andre Onana, who guessed right but wasn’t able to keep the shot out and Salah’s goal gave his side the lead with 20 minutes left to play.
Manchester United center back Lisandro Martinez scores Manchester United’s first Anfield goal in over six years as his strike gave Manchester United an unlikely lead against Liverpool. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
