United 'a different team' in spirited draw at Liverpool

If the measure of a Manchester United player is how he performs against their fiercest rivals, then Amad Diallo has begun in auspicious style.

- RICHARD JOLLY

His United career is not yet 50 games old and yet he has displayed a capacity to have the final say against Manchester City and Liverpool alike. Last month he produced a game-changing late intervention in a Manchester derby; last March an extra-time winner against Liverpool. Here, with United trailing at Anfield and set for a fifth successive defeat, up popped Amad again. United instead became only the fifth team to deny the league leaders victory in Arne Slot’s reign.

For a team who have rarely arrived at Anfield as such underdogs, it was a triumph of sorts, though it could have been an actual win had Harry Maguire not blazed over in the 97th minute. “A big chance,” Slot admitted. He nevertheless deemed it “two points dropped”.

For Liverpool, perhaps it only represented a minor hiccup en route to the 20th league title that would draw them level with United. Historic foes were tied here, even as a 2-2 draw means Liverpool’s points tally remains more than double United’s. There was nothing to separate them, and yet they have nothing in common.

For that, United had Amad to thank. He guided in a shot from Alejandro Garnacho’s cutback, the substitute’s role helping Amorim make his point as his team gained one. For the head coach, some much-needed time on the training ground produced a performance that stood in contrast to the shambles of the start against Newcastle. “Today we were a different team,” Amorim said. “They face the competition in a different way. We need to face every day like that.”