EPL: Liverpool, Man United share points in four-goal thriller

Amad Diallo scored a late goal to ensure a share of the points as Liverpool and Manchester United played an entertaining 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

The pulsating English Premier League (EPL) encounter saw all four goals scored in an explosive second half. Liverpool were not at their defensive best, while Man United showed some fire despite a poor run of form. Lisandro Martinez and Amad Diallo netted for the visitors, while Cody Gakpo and Mohad Salah spared the hosts’ blushes.

Liverpool created the better openings to take the lead, but Luiz Diaz skied a shot at a nervy start. Andre Onana then denied Alexis Mac Allister with his foot, and Gakpo narrowly missed the target as the scores remained level at the interval.

The game burst to life in the second period, with Manchester United taking a surprise lead at 52 minutes through Martinez. Bruno Fernandes set up the central defender, who rifled his shot high into the net for his second-ever goal for United.

The lead lasted only seven minutes; Gakpo got the better of Matias de Ligt before arrowing his shot into the roof of the net for 1-1 to start the comeback, completed when de Ligt gifted Liverpool a penalty for handling the ball in the box. Salah stepped up to convert for 2-1 in the 70th minute.

Salah went close from a corner kick, but the visitors regained their composure and levelled through Diallo. The winger converted Alejandro Garnacho’s cutback for 2-2 ten minutes from time to set up a nail-biting finale.

Liverpool had the better chances to nick it, but Onana saved well from the trio of Diogo Jota, Connor Bradley and Virgil van Dijk in the closing stages. Harry Maguire also skied a glorious opportunity at the death.

A share of the points sees Liverpool extend their lead at the top to six points with 46 points from 19 matches, while Man United moved up to 13th position with 23 points from 20 games.

UNITED SHOW FLASHES OF LIFE TO RUIN SALAH’S BIG DAY

Despite a weather scare that rocked this clash of two EPL rivals that have won the most titles, it was Manchester United that showed flashes of their ability against this Rolls Royce Liverpool team on a four-match winning run.

By contrast, the Red Devils were on a run of four straight losses in all competitions- three in the league, but they put on an excellent attacking display to rattle their hosts in defence and became only the third team to take points off Liverpool at home.

Indeed, Ruben Amorim’s men stopped the rot on a day Salah became the joint-seventh all-time EPL scorer with his 175th league goal. The Portuguese coach would have been relieved by the performance in a match. Arne Slot’s men were overwhelming favourites before the game.