Fernandes and Amorim upset about United after impressive draw at Liverpool | Football news

Frustrated footballer Bruno Fernandes has said that if Manchester United can perform at Anfield, they must “do it everywhere” after the crisis-hit side secured drew 2-2 against Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.

Cody Gakpo canceled out Lisandro Martinez’s shock strike for United on Sunday before Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot, but Amad Diallo scored a late equaliser.

United finished the game stronger, with defender Harry Maguire scoring a last-gasp chance to win by firing wide from Joshua Zirkzee’s square pass.

The point for Liverpool puts them six ahead of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand. United are way below in 13th, but at least they finished their four-game losing streak.

“We’ve been criticised, and fair enough,” United captain Fernandes told Sky Sports. “Our position in the table says it all. We lost too many points. Even today, we cannot be satisfied with a point. We need points and we could have won the game in the end, but it’s a fair result. Both teams played good football.

“I’m quite upset. If we show this level in Liverpool, first in the league, why can’t we do it everywhere? That frustrates me. Also, I finally did a real gig. We said we need a lot more from ourselves to get more out of this season.”

The midfielder said next week’s FA Cup tie with Arsenal will be tough for the holders but “we want to get to the final again”.

“We know how difficult it is to play against Liverpool,” he said. “Today we put a real effort into the game. Playing with a little passion and heart is what will give you something out of the game. We have to make an effort, and that’s why we have taken action starting today.

“It cannot be stopped here. We have to take this frustration to the next game to realize that this has to be level. If we can do it at Anfield, we have to do it everywhere.”

👆 @LFC they are six points ahead of Arsenal after today’s draw with Man Utd! #LIVMUN | #FestiveFixtures pic.twitter.com/uTOw1Tq3Si

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 5, 2025

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said it could have been worse for his side had Maguire converted a late chance. “I’m definitely disappointed to drop points at home but it is what it is and we have to move on and we will,” he said.

“We found 2-1 and then it’s about trying to control the game and keep the ball for more than three or four passes. At times we lost the ball too easily, and then we were more open than we should have been. We are not perfect. We are still learning and we have to learn from this.”

The defender said that Liverpool did not underestimate United, despite the problems of their rivals this season.

“It’s all the media, the media story,” he said. “It has nothing to do with us. We prepared for a very difficult match as we saw today. We didn’t mean any of that.”

United manager Ruben Amorim has endured a miserable start to his time in charge at Old Trafford, with the club slumping to six defeats in September, culminating in a four-game losing streak.

“We are in a difficult moment,” Amorim told Sky Sports. “If you play against Liverpool every day, we will get those positions back. But if you play against any opponent, we will have to do it. We have proven that we can do it. The way we were really competitive – that’s what we have to go forward.

“It’s not just the players, it’s all the employees at the club. I’m happy about the performance, not the result. But I’m really angry for the rest of the games,” Amorim continued after United suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, and sixth in December, against Newcastle on Monday.

Look at @ManUtdaverage positions from their last two matches 🔎

What stands out to you?

📊 @Oracle | #LIVMUN pic.twitter.com/UG07jqgHCo

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 5, 2025

“Of course we will improve in training, but that’s how we faced the game, not training,” he continued. “You can ask any fan – how we fight, how we shoot, how we fight for the ball. It’s so clear.

“Today I feel the players really wanted it. It is important not to relax tomorrow and return to the same performance. I will do everything to make the players understand, they have to suffer in the game. I’m really struggling with the basics and we have to move on.

“Congratulations on the performance, but not the result. Everyone will say that the players did everything right, so I can be angry [with them for the other results] today.”