For as soon as this season, there was a lot to dislike about Liverpool’s efficiency towards Man United, because the Reds dropped two priceless factors.
Arne Slot‘s facet had been disappointing on Sunday as they drew 2-2 towards their beleaguered opponents at Anfield.
Too typically, Liverpool had been both shaky defensively or sloppy in assault, as they blew the possibility to tug additional away from Arsenal.
Right here’s how the media assessed the Reds’ irritating draw.
There’s little doubt that this was 2 factors thrown away…
That’s definitely how the Liverpool Echo‘s Paul Gorst noticed issues:
“Liverpool will see this a two main factors dropped, regardless of having been compelled to come back again from a purpose down.
“Didn’t create sufficient on the day towards a United facet who regarded a lot extra organised than in latest weeks.”
Oliver Holt of the Day by day Mail thought Liverpool had been nicely under their finest:
“Liverpool had been disappointing.
“United deserve a number of the credit score for that, after all, however the house facet fell nicely under the requirements they’ve set this season even when the sport was lit up by a wonderful strike from Cody Gakpo and a penalty from Mo Salah that provoked an emotional response from the Egypt ahead.
“Liverpool are nonetheless six factors clear on the high of the Premier League however this match confirmed that they don’t seem to be past vulnerability.”
On X, David Lynch wrote that he felt that Liverpool by no means deserved to win:
“Liverpool can’t have any complaints with that.
“Manchester United not solely turned up with a plan right now and adopted it to a person however they had been additionally first to every thing.
“Getting outworked in a recreation like that is fairly inexcusable.”
It was an terrible day for Trent Alexander-Arnold…
The Mirror‘s Scott Trotter targeted on a horrid afternoon for Liverpool’s vice-captain:
“A robust efficiency would go some technique to dispel any fears of distraction or hinderance. However the defender had some tough moments at Anfield on Sunday.
“Again and again, United assaults got here down his facet of the sector to make the most of the house left behind the England worldwide.
[…]
“Liverpool, Actual and Alexander-Arnold will hope higher shows are forward as issues didn’t enhance within the second interval.”
The Guardian‘s Andy Hunter thought it was clear that Alexander-Arnold was focused by United:
“The guests’ best risk got here down their left with Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund all prospering in house behind Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Scrutiny was extra intense than ever on the Liverpool proper again following Actual Madrid’s failed strategy for his companies earlier within the week.
“The highlight was unforgiving.”
Good stat: 53.8% of Manchester United’s assaults on this match got here down their left-hand facet, in comparison with simply 28.1% on the correct.
Clearly concentrating on that facet.
— Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) January 5, 2025
Talking on Sky Sports activities, Roy Keane didn’t maintain again in his criticism of the right-back:
“We speak about how good Trent goes ahead, however Trent’s defending right now – my goodness, it’s like schoolboy stuff.
“There’s speak about him going to Actual Madrid. He’s going to Tranmere Rovers [currently 20th in League Two] after this.
“He’s obtained to do higher.”
Lastly, BBC Sport‘s Phil McNulty was one other who assessed a dire exhibiting from Alexander-Arnold:
“The guests preyed on Alexander-Arnold’s defensive weak point all through, launching common raids down Liverpool’s proper flank, whereas his standard sturdy level of passing was additionally horribly wayward.
“It was a poor go by Alexander-Arnold that led to Martinez’s opener whereas Diallo’s equaliser originated on his flank.
“Alexander-Arnold was proven a yellow card three minutes after Diallo’s purpose and it was virtually a merciful launch when he was changed by Conor Bradley shortly after.”
Liverpool 2-2 Man United
