Gary Neville compared Lisandro Martinez’s goal for Manchester United at Anfield to a Ryan Giggs classic – only for the visitors to squander their surprise lead.
Seven minutes from the restart, a foray down the left channel allowed centre-back Martinez to crash in the opener after Bruno Fernandes’ pass to end United’s six-year wait for a goal away to the Reds.
“They played so well,” former United captain Neville told Sky Sports. “Honestly, this is a miracle compared to where this team has been in the last few weeks – they’ve been a disaster, but today they were excellent.
“He just smashes it into the roof of the net. He’s almost like Ryan Giggs, from ’99 [FA Cup] semi-final against Arsenal. This Manchester United team – one of the worst you could say – put in one of the best performances we’ve seen after 55 minutes.”
Lisandro Martínez fires a thunderbolt beyond Alisson! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z3vmqkbIol
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Rethinking Ryan Giggs’ goal?
United legend Giggs scored his legendary solo goal in added time to beat Arsenal in a replay at Villa Park almost 26 years ago, knocking out the holders before the Red Devils won the final against Newcastle.
There was less for former right-back Neville to enjoy over the ensuing 19 minutes for the side who started the day 14th in the Premier League.
Cody Gakpo scored the equalizer less than eight minutes after Martinez’s goal, and Mohamed Salah’s 70th-minute penalty turned the tide.
In the 20 minutes following United’s goal, Liverpool had all five attempts and seven of nine touches in the box between the teams.
There is exactly one week left until the latest one @EmiratesFACup semi-final, so let’s look back at the previous one…#OnThisDay In 1999, Ryan Giggs intercepted a pass in midfield and did it against Arsenal 👇 pic.twitter.com/LfWDgnhu6g
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 14, 2018
Liverpool vs Man United: The visitors’ response
United’s distribution also seemed to go astray with an unlikely victory in sight, producing an abysmal 51% accuracy during that period, compared to Liverpool’s 77%.
They hit back, however, when Amad Diallo – who earlier produced a bizarre miss from Diogo Dalot’s cross – curled in a low finish.
Ruben Amorim’s struggling side came into the game on a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, including three consecutive league defeats without scoring a goal.
A win for Liverpool would send them eight points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand against the Gunners.
