Amad strikes late as improved Man Utd hold Liverpool in thriller

Amad Diallo grabbed a point for Manchester United in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League.

Liverpool started brighter as they looked to restore their eight-point lead at the top, while United were trying to climb away from the growing threat of a relegation battle under Ruben Amorim.

There were good chances for both sides in the first half, but none of Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister or Rasmus Hojlund could score.

In the second half, Lisandro Martinez opened the scoring with a wonderful effort from a tight angle, only for Gakpo to hit back shortly before the hour mark, and Mohamed Salah converted a penalty when Matthijs de Ligt handled to put the hosts ahead.

With 10 minutes remaining, Amad got ahead of Andy Robertson to equalise, before both sides failed to find a winner in a rip-roaring finale, with Harry Maguire coming the closest deep in injury time when shinnig over the bar with the goal gaping.

Whether the rumours of contact with Real Madrid are true or not, but with the pressure on the defender to show he had kept his focus, he played one of his worst games in recent memory. Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and then Alejandro Garnacho all had his number from the off, and Conor Bradley came on late to replace him.

If he is unable to rouse himself then questions will be asked of him by the fans, who will appreciate him even if he does leave for nothing given the glamour of Real Madrid.

But for Bradley it is an opportunity, and for Arne Slot, it is a grave concern.

The United captain has put in some questionable performances this season, but starting on the left and then moving into the middle later on, he was accomplished and calm. This was the skipper’s performance his team-mates needed.

Liverpool: Alisson 6, Van Dijk 6, Konate 6, Robertson 5, Alexander-Arnold 4, Jones 6, Gravenberch 6, Mac Allister 7, Gakpo 7, Diaz 6, Salah 7. Subs: Nunez 6, Elliott 6, Jota 6, Bradley 6.

Manchester United: Onana 7, Mazraoui 6, De Ligt 5, Maguire 7, Martinez 7, Dalot 7, Fernandes 8, Mainoo 6, Ugarte 6, Diallo 7, Holund 6. Subs: Yoro 7, Garnacho 7, Zirkzee 6.

14’ – GAKPO EFFORT – Gravenberch slips in Gakpo down the inside left and he lifts a shot over Onana, just wide.

16’ – MAC ALLISTER SHOT – Onana sticks out a leg to save well after the ball is lifted into the Argentine’s run on the right of the area, and his well-taken volley is pushed away

42’ – ALISSON SAVE – Hojlund is free on the inside left, he has only the ‘keeper to beat, but his effort is beaten away well by Alisson. Perhaps the best chance of the half.

52’ – GOAL! LIVERPOOL 0-1 MAN UTD – MARTINEZ SCORES – A remarkable finish. Lisandro Martinez is slipped in by Fernandes, and the defender smashes a rising shot in off the crossbar from a tight angle.

59’ – GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-1 MAN UTD – GAKPO SCORES – The Dutchman cuts onto his right foot after he is set up by Mac Allister, and he curls a shot around Onana into the top corner.

70’ – GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-1 MAN UTD – SALAH SCORES – Salah drills his penalty past Onana, who guessed correctly to dive to his left.

80’ – GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-2 MAN UTD – DIALLO SCORES – The teams are level once more. Fernandes finds Garnacho, he has no problems sending in a cross, and Diallo gets ahead of Robertson to finish.