HERE was everything we thought Manchester United were not – proud, resilient, brilliant and above all United.
Sure, they had to settle for a point. Sure, Liverpool remain red-hot favourites to equal their record of 20 top-flight titles.
But the way this match had been previewed, you’d have thought we were talking about Accrington Stanley’s FA Cup visit to Anfield next weekend, rather than the grandest fixture in English football.
Amad Diallo, whose winner at the end of extra-time knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup in a classic quarter-final last season, stole a point with a cool finish.
United, written off as cannon fodder, had deservedly led through a Lisandro Martinez strike early in the second half, before a spectacular Cody Gakpo equaliser and a Mo Salah penalty propelled Liverpool into the lead.
Yet there was a never-say-die attitude about United which we barely thought them capable of – Harry Maguire magnificent in defence, Manuel Ugarte dynamic in midfield – as Ruben Amorim seemed to discover his best available team.
This after United had suffered four straight defeats, failing to score in the previous three.
The fixture had never felt so much of a home banker, the gap between two mighty clubs hadn’t been bigger for half a century.
In December, United had lost six games in a calendar month for the first time since 1930. Nobody saw this coming.
Earlier, it felt as if only the weather could stop Liverpool, that only the miserable Merseyside climate could give us the faintest illusion of a title race – after the trip to Goodison Park was called off in the autumn.
Andre Onana – 7
Saved well from Alexis Mac Allister early on and looked strong on set-pieces – could do nothing about either goal and almost stopped Mo Salah’s penalty.
Another two saves right at the death helped his men earn a point.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7
Strong performance to help frustrate Liverpool and produced important interceptions and tackles to clear danger.
Matthijs de Ligt – 7
The Dutchman was another impressive member of the back three and seemed on a mission not to leave Anfield without a share of the spoils.
Harry Maguire – 7
Marshalled the defence well and won several big tackles and clearances.
Had his day spoiled by a yellow card for what looked to a be another great challenge and then blazed over right at the death.
Lisandro Martinez – 7
Excellent alongside the rest of the back three and finished his strike like a seasoned striker.
Diogo Dalot – 7
Played on the front foot and was an attacking threat throughout but landed himself a booking for a needless and blatant foul on Mo Salah.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7
Great defensive and compact display as he got the better of his England rival Curtis Jones in front of Thomas Tuchel.
Was only taken off after United fell behind as his manager went more offensive.
Manuel Ugarte – 6
Just got caught out of position and was punished for Cody Gakpo’s goal, which marred an otherwise hard-fought and disciplined display.
Amad Diallo – 7
Turning into a man capable of producing big moments after another crucial strike. Had messed up twice in two earlier attacks but took his goal superbly.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
The skipper was on top form for the Red Devils both defensively and with the ball.
Led his team well and fully deserved at least a point.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Came underfire for slack marking from Fernandes early doors then blew a big chance after beating the offside trap – a chance you NEED to take at Anfield.
Struggled to make much of an impact with the ball.
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But after further slip-ups from Arsenal and Chelsea on Saturday, Liverpool were looking impregnable.
A midday safety meeting gave this fixture the green light amid the slow and ice, which had turned to teeming rain before kick-off.
Amorim had admitted his side were gripped by fear and anxiety. The Portuguese is not mincing his words about the scale of the task he faces, even bringing up the prospect of relegation.
United fans were even worrying about Ipswich winning at Fulham to further narrow the gap between their side and the bottom three – and it was a measure of their pessimism that they welcomed a late equaliser from Raul Jimenez at Craven Cottage.
Ugarte was back from suspension, with Kobbie Mainoo also restored to the midfield.
And United started with a basic competence few expected of them, having a fair share of the ball and defending their box with determination.
Gakpo had the first clear sight of goal but shot wide across the face after Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch had combined to tee him up.
Then Salah conjured a gorgeous lofted centre but Alexis Mac Allister’s half-volley was blocked by Andre Onana at his near post.
Suddenly, on 20 minutes, United created a glaring chance – Diogo Dalot darting down the left and centring for Amad Diallo who somehow headed in the opposite direction with the goal gaping.
United enjoyed a decent spell of pressure, although Gravenberch galloped forward to ping one just wide from range.
In the piddling rain and with the odds stacked against him, it felt like a day for Maguire and the England centre-half was putting himself about in a none-shall-pass mood.
United were threatening down the left and when Rasmus Hojlund was released, Alisson rushed off his line to block.
Without a win at Anfield since 2016 and without a goal in five and a half hours, United were still heading in for half-time feeling heartened.
Liverpool have tended to come alive after half-time this season but not this time.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – a Galactico-in-waiting who had been struggling all afternoon – misplaced a pass to Martinez, who fed Fernandes.
The United skipper cased the joint for an opening before he slipped a pass to the Argentinian centre-half, who thumped in off the underside of the crossbar.
United’s supporters went berserk, cameramen being knocked to the floor amid the bedlam.
Yet the lead lasted just seven minutes. McAllister fed Gakpo with an angled pass and the Liverpool forward cut inside, sent his fellow Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt for a bag of chips then lashed into the roof of the net from an angle.
It was a goal of quality, just when Liverpool needed it most.
And when Alexander-Arnold centred from the right, Gakpo headed against the upturned arm of his marker, De Ligt, who completed a miserable few minutes by conceding a penalty – the offence spotted by VAR Chris Kavanagh.
Onana dived left and almost stopped Salah’s spot-kick but the Egyptian’s effort had too much power.
Amorim showed attacking intent by sending on Alejandro Garnacho for Mainoo.
And the Argentinian winger – who had incurred Amorim’s wrath in recent weeks, played a sweet cut-back for Diallo to steer his shot past Alisson.
Conor Bradley was denied by Onana when he shot from a tight angle but United were well worth their point.
Then from a Joshua Zirkzee pass, Maguire had a chance to win it in the dying seconds, only to blaze over the bar.
