5 Key Takeaways from Liverpool vs Man Utd –  Van Dijk Lashes Out at Teammate as Arne Slot’s Prediction Comes True

Liverpool was held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester United, despite being six points clear at the top of the Premier League. Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah both found the net for the Reds, while Lisandro Martinez scored for United, and Amad Diallo equalized to complete the stalemate.

While Arne Slot had previously emphasized Manchester United’s ability to perform even when struggling in the league, it became evident during the match. Here’s what we noted as the game progressed.

Contract Situation Sends a Message, but Alexander-Arnold Struggles A new banner on The Kop now reads, “Give Mo And Co Their Dough”, a reference to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, who are nearing the end of their contracts. As speculation about Alexander-Arnold’s future intensifies, especially with Real Madrid reportedly interested, the right-back’s struggles were apparent during the match. He failed to make a significant impact going forward and was often caught out defensively. Roy Keane humorously suggested Alexander-Arnold was more likely to end up at Tranmere Rovers than Real Madrid, but concerns over his form and potential distractions are becoming hard to ignore. Van Dijk visibly expressed his frustration when Alexander-Arnold took too long over a throw-in, but it was his lax defending that raised more serious concerns.

Manchester United Impressed Ahead of the game, many expected a dominant Liverpool performance, especially after their 7-0 victory over United in 2023 and the sizeable points gap in the standings. However, Manchester United defied expectations. In the first half, they created the better chances and played with confidence. Their 3-4-3 formation allowed them to build play effectively from the back while nullifying Liverpool’s press, with Luis Diaz often isolated. After Martinez put United ahead in the second half, Gakpo quickly responded, but Amad Diallo’s strike ensured the game ended in a draw. Liverpool were fortunate not to lose, as United’s performance was more than commendable.

Alexis Mac Allister Shines In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister was exceptional. Despite a slow start to the match, it was Mac Allister who played a pivotal role in getting Liverpool back into the game. He was instrumental in orchestrating their play, setting the tempo and threading clever passes through United’s press. His ability to think and move quickly set him apart from the other midfielders, with Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch struggling to make an impact. Mac Allister’s display once again highlighted why he remains one of Liverpool’s standout performers this season.

Arne Slot’s Insight Proves Accurate Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, had warned about Manchester United’s potential danger before the match, recognizing the quality of their squad. “I think every game we play is a serious test,” Slot said. “Manchester United has much more quality than some other teams, so we know, not only because of the rivalry but also the quality players, it is a challenging game.” His foresight proved correct, as United showcased their resilience, earning a valuable point at Anfield. Slot had predicted that United could spring a surprise, and while Liverpool avoided defeat, it was two points dropped considering the gap in the standings.

Premier League Lead Remains Intact Despite the draw, Liverpool still leads the Premier League by six points, with a game in hand. That game could be crucial, as it’s a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. However, this result will be seen as a missed opportunity, and Liverpool will be disappointed not to have capitalized on the chance to extend their lead further. While the performance was not disastrous, it was far from convincing, and Slot will be keen to quickly move on from this result and focus on the next challenge.