Liverpool 2-2 Man United - PLAYER RATINGS: Who is Arne Slot's Mr Consistent?

Manchester United earned a dramatic point against Premier League leaders Liverpool after a thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield.

Ruben Amorim' side were much improved against their arch rivals and grabbed a deserved lead seven minutes after the interval through Lisandro Martinez.

But the Reds hit back with goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah from the spot, which looked to have sent Arne Slot's side eight points clear of the table.

But Amad Diallo would provide a sting in the tail, with a well-taken finish past Alisson that sent the away supporters into raptures.

Slot's side missed the chance to capitalise on slip-ups from their title rivals on Saturday. United, meanwhile, offered a defiant response to weeks of dire headlines following their recent dismal run.

Mail Sport's LEWIS STEELE and CHRIS WHEELER were at Anfield to appraise the performers on Sunday night.

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)

Alisson - 6.5

Did not face a single shot on target at West Ham on Sunday, or after the sixth minute against Leicester on Boxing Day – but finally had some work to do at the end of the first half here and strongly denied Hojlund. Could do little about United’s goals.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 4 (Booked)

A tough afternoon with pundits – and a small minority of fans – on his back. Very poor defensively but made the penalty for 2-1.

Ibrahima Konate - 6.5

A big presence back in the team after a month on the sidelines. Would have wanted to do better with United’s goals.

Virgil van Dijk - 7

Bailed Liverpool out several times when covering for team-mates’ errors. Had several angry rants at sloppy errors from other defenders.

Andy Robertson - 5

Allowed Amad to run across him too easily for United’s equaliser to make it 2-2. Had been decent before that.

Ryan Gravenberch - 7

A super footballer who glides around the pitch. Could have had a couple of assists if for better finishing.

Alexis Mac Allister - 8

Never gets the headlines but, alongside Van Dijk and Salah, is Mr Consistent for Liverpool. Dictates play and finds killer passes.

Mohamed Salah - 7

A quieter afternoon than normal but made it 21 for the season with a prolific penalty. Never even a tiny thought that he would miss it.

Curtis Jones - 6.5

Constant source of energy in midfield and put in hard yards but in an attacking and defensive sense. But did not impact the game enough in final third.

Cody Gakpo - 7.5

Last week it was a ‘maybe’ in his best form in a Reds shirt – now upgrade that to a ‘definitely’. Excellent composure and finish to equalise.

Luis Diaz - 5.5

Has been brilliant in recent weeks for Liverpool but Diaz could not get his usual grip on proceedings here.

Substitutes

Darwin Nunez (for Diaz, 60min) - 6 (Booked)

Diogo Jota (for Jones, 60) - 6

Conor Bradley (for Alexander-Arnold, 86min)

Harvey Elliott (for Gakpo, 87)

Subs not used: Kelleher, Endo, Chiesa, Tsimikas, Quansah.

Manager

Arne Slot - 6

Not Liverpool’s best performance of the season – did not create enough and looked open on the counter-attack.

Referee

Michael Oliver - 5

Got the big calls right. The only question is why he needed VAR to help him award the penalty.

MAN UTD (3-4-3)

Andre Onana 6.5

Made some big saves, notably from Mac Allister. No chance with Gakpo’s strike or Salah’s penalty even though he got a hand to it.

Matthijs de Ligt 5

Got left on his backside by Gakpo for the first goal and then conceded the penalty for the second with a high arm.

Harry Maguire 6.5

Amorim wants him to be more of a leader and this was a really good start. Could have won it at the death but fired over.

Lisandro Martinez 7

Smashed in the first goal after great interception and also set up Hojlund’s chance. Better defensively too.

Noussair Mazraoui 6.5

Cool under pressure at the back and got forward effectively as well. Continues to impress in this team.

Manuel Ugarte 7

United needed his combative approach and he didn’t let them down, but was caught out of position for the equaliser.

Kobbie Mainoo 7

His form has dipped but this was much more like it. Overcame early knock to put in a really strong midfield performance.

Diogo Dalot 7.5

Gave Alexander-Arnold a chasing as United threatened down the left. Good defensive job on Salah too despite early booking.

Amad Diallo 7

Came up with another big goal against Liverpool, making amends for misjudging a header in front of goal from Dalot’s cross.

Rasmus Hojlund 6

He was never going to have many chances and couldn’t take the best of them when he was one-on-one with Alisson.

Bruno Fernandes 8

Back from suspension to lead his team and was involved in all United’s best moments including both goals.

Substitutes

Bayindir, Malacia, Yoro (for De Ligt 83, 7), Casemiro, Collyer, Eriksen, Antony, Garnacho (for Mainoo 72, 6.5), Zirkzee (for Hojlund 86)

Head coach

Ruben Amorim 7

Had a few more days to work with his players on the training ground this week and it showed. Huge improvement.