Gary Neville likened 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 after the restart, a foray down the left channel allowed centre-back Martinez to crash home the opener from Bruno Fernandes’ pass to end United’s six-year wait for an away goal against the Reds.
“They’ve played so well,” former United captain Neville told Sky Sports. “Honestly, it’s a miracle where this team has been in recent weeks – it’s been a disaster, but today they were delightful.
“He just smashes it into the roof of the net. He’s almost like Ryan Giggs, from the ’99 (FA Cup) semi-final against Arsenal. This Manchester United team – you could say one of the worst – put in one of the best performances we’ve seen after 55 minutes.”
Lisandro Martínez unleashes a thunderbolt past Alisson! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/z3vmqkbIol
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Did he revisit Ryan Giggs’ goal?
United legend Giggs scored his iconic solo goal in added time to beat Arsenal in a replay at Villa Park almost 26 years ago, shutting out the holders before the Red Devils won the final against Newcastle.
Former right-back Neville was unable to enjoy the ensuing 19 minutes for the side who started day 14 in the Premier League.
Cody Gakpo headed home a corner to equalize less than eight minutes after Martinez’s goal, and Mohamed Salah’s 70th-minute penalty then reversed the scoreline.
In the 20 minutes after United’s goal, Liverpool had all five attempts and seven of the nine touches in the opposition area between the teams.
It’s exactly one week until our last one @EmiratesFACup semi-final, so let’s look back at a previous…#ThisDay 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: Guest response
United’s distribution also looked to be on the wrong side in an unlikely win, producing an abysmal 51% accuracy during that period, compared to Liverpool’s 77%.
They hit back, however, when Amad Diallo – who had earlier made a curious miss from Diogo Dalot’s cross – curled in a low finish.
Ruben Amorim’s troubled side came into the game on the back of four consecutive defeats in all competitions, with three league defeats in a row without scoring.
Victory for Liverpool would send them eight points clear of second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand on the Gunners.
