In a pulsating encounter that had a bit of everything — thrills, spills and comedy — it was Manchester United’s young midfielder Amad Diallo who provided the most compelling storyline. The 21-year-old’s manic energy, ceaseless running and crucial late equalizer gave United fans a much-needed injection of hope on an afternoon when their team finally showed some fight at the home of their greatest rivals.
Amorim Rolls Dice On Midfield
New United manager Ruben Amorim has cut an increasingly beleaguered figure in recent weeks as he has grappled with the club’s perennial midfield issues. But at Anfield, the Portuguese coach made his most decisive intervention yet, ditching the ponderous Casemiro-Eriksen axis in favor of the all-action Ugarte-Mainoo partnership, with Bruno Fernandes tucking in to form a midfield three without the ball.
Crucially, Amorim also instructed his center-backs to step up and compress the space, rather than sitting back and allowing Liverpool’s creative players time on the ball. In those tighter confines, debutant Kobbie Mainoo excelled, snapping into challenges and providing much-needed bite, while Fernandes grew into the game as United began to offer a threat of their own.
Diallo’s Infectious Optimism
But it was Diallo who embodied United’s new-found sense of purpose, haring around the pitch, committing wholehearted to lost causes and generally making a nuisance of himself. Yes, there were moments of slapstick — an attempted diving header that resulted in him heading the ball backwards with the goal gaping, a booking for over-celebrating a goal he had no hand in — but Diallo’s sheer enthusiasm was infectious.
Diallo is above all a hopeful footballer. This was no bad thing at Anfield.
Barney Ronay, The Guardian
That hope manifested itself in the defining moment of the match. Still haring around the pitch with just 10 minutes remaining, Diallo produced a lovely darting run across Andy Robertson to get on the end of an Alejandro Garnacho cross and bundle the ball home for a crucial equalizer. Cue wild, knee-sliding celebrations as Diallo was mobbed by teammates and had to be dragged away from the delirious away support.
Hope Springs Eternal
The draw, as important as it felt, remains just that — United are still languishing in mid-table and have a long way to go to even get back into the Champions League conversation. But in the manic, infectious energy of Amad Diallo, in Amorim’s willingness to be bold in his team selection and tactics, United fans can perceive the first green shoots of a more promising future.
There will no doubt be more bumps in the road ahead, as evidenced by Harry Maguire’s comedic late miss and Amorim’s post-match comments about his players’ fragile mental states. But United have unearthed a potential gem in Diallo, and in the process rediscovered a sense of fight and purpose that has been sorely lacking. For that reason above all, their fans will leave Anfield with a newfound sense of optimism.
