Man Utd suffer double fitness scare after valiant Liverpool showing

Manchester United battled to a deserved point against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, but may now be sweating over the fitness of two players who started on Merseyside.

The Red Devils took the lead through Lisandro Martinez’s thunderbolt and stuck to their task after goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead. A share of the spoils was earned by Amad Diallo’s smart finish into the bottom corner, following good work on the wing by substitute Alejandro Garnacho.

United lined up with Rasmus Hojlund up front – the Dane preferred in the central striking role to Joshua Zirzkee – and Matthijs de Ligt was one of three central defenders to start alongside Martinez and Harry Maguire.

After a tough encounter, the Manchester Evening News revealed that Hojlund limped through the mixed zone after the game – an area where journalists assemble to talk to players after the game – while De Ligt left with what appeared to be ice strapped to his leg.

A potential injury would pour further misery onto De Ligt, who was responsible for conceding a penalty midway through the second half. The Dutchman rushed in to close Alexis Mac Allister down in the box as a cross came in, only to see his flailing arm deflect away the former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder’s header.

Salah did the rest from the spot, despite Andre Onana getting a hand to his penalty, but United would not be denied on an afternoon where a number of players impressed. Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo all shone in midfield – arguably putting in their best performances of the season – while Martinez was also at his tenacious best in defence.

The display did frustrate head coach Ruben Amorim, though, with the Portuguese tactician somewhat perplexed as to why United have not been able to compete at such a high level in other fixtures.

“I get more mad because of the other games so it’s even harder to understand some things,” Amorim said. “It’s not about a system, the technique, it’s about something else and it’s hard to understand for the coach.

“It’s a point and I think we should get mad and disappointed more than what we did against Newcastle. We need to be really disappointed and I have to calm down and say the right things. We’re in a difficult moment. If we play against Liverpool every day we will do that but we have to do it against any opponent. We need to fight really bad to get out of this situation.

“The way we were really competitive, that’s the crucial thing going forwards. I’m happy for the performance, not happy with the result but am really, really mad with the other games.”