Liverpool actually did something no other Premier League side have done this season against Manchester United

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool played out a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Arne Slot saw his side being described as firm favourites to win this Premier League clash in the buildup, given the fact Liverpool sat top while Manchester United languished down in 14th place.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	18	14	3	1	45	17	28	45
2	ArsenalArsenal	19	11	6	2	38	17	21	39
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	19	11	4	4	26	19	7	37
4	ChelseaChelsea	19	10	5	4	38	23	15	35
5	NewcastleNewcastle	19	9	5	5	32	21	11	32
6	Man CityManchester City	19	9	4	6	32	26	6	31
7	B’mouthBournemouth	19	8	6	5	29	23	6	30
8	FulhamFulham	19	7	8	4	28	25	3	29
9	Aston VillaAston Villa	19	8	5	6	28	31	-3	29
10	BrightonBrighton	19	6	9	4	29	28	1	27
11	TottenhamTottenham	19	7	3	9	41	28	13	24
12	BrentfordBrentford	19	7	3	9	33	35	-2	24
13	West HamWest Ham	19	6	5	8	23	35	-12	23
14	Man UtdManchester United	19	6	4	9	21	26	-5	22

However, a thunderous strike from Lisandro Martinez in the 52nd minute shocked Anfield and had Manchester United fans dreaming of a memorable result, although Cody Gakpo quickly brought Liverpool level with an equally powerful shot in the 59th minute.

Mohamed Salah then put Liverpool 2-1 up from the penalty spot after a bizarre handball by Matthijs de Ligt, before Amad Diallo snatched back a point.

Before either Alisson or Andre Onana were beaten – however – Liverpool did something no other side have managed to do in the Premier League so far this season.

The statistic which shows just how timid Liverpool were against Manchester United

If Slot had hair, the Dutchman would have surely been pulling it out during that opening 45 minutes.

Liverpool allowed Manchester United in behind far too often, while also failing to show the type of aggressiveness out of possession which has led them to be favourites for the title this season.

In fact – according to Squawka – Liverpool failed to make a single tackle in the first half, something no other Premier League side has done in the 2024/25 campaign so far.

Against a shaky Manchester United side who came into this clash on the back of three consecutive Premier League defeats, that is unacceptable.

Slot – who rejected Manuel Ugarte – needed his players to put early pressure on Ruben Amorim’s men, but far too much respect was shown, allowing Manchester United to grow in confidence and secure a result.

Liverpool’s next five Premier League fixtures as Arsenal now sit six points behind

Liverpool – who want Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth – are sitting very comfortably in the Premier League right now.

Slot’s side even have a game in hand against Everton to come, a chance to add to their current six-point gap on Arsenal.

However, the next five Premier League fixtures involve some potential banana skins for Liverpool.

The Reds travel to the City Ground when next in Premier League action, looking to exact revenge on Nottingham Forest – the only side to beat them so far this season.

Another tricky away day then follows as Slot takes his side to Brentford, who just recorded a 5-0 win at Southampton.

Ipswich then travel to Anfield before Liverpool go away to Bournemouth – currently unbeaten in eight Premier League games – before Wolves visit Merseyside.

As you can see, Slot has some tricky fixtures to navigate across the next month, along with a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham, two UEFA Champions League clashes against Lille and PSV, as well as an FA Cup tie against Accrington Stanley.