In the wee hours of the night just past, Arsenal fans undoubtedly felt a sense of gratitude towards Manchester United. Had it not been for United holding Liverpool to a draw at Anfield, Arsenal's title hopes would have been all but dashed.
On the early morning of January 6th, Beijing time, the second "Double Red" match of the season took place, with Liverpool hosting Manchester United. The game nearly faced cancellation due to heavy snow at Anfield, but after considerable efforts, it proceeded as scheduled. It is unclear whether the weather had an impact, but Liverpool's performance was far from their usual standard, while United played with an almost manic energy, ultimately securing a surprising 2-2 draw against the formidable Liverpool.
Playing away, United focused their attacks on the left flank, nearly overwhelming Alexander-Arnold. Not long into the second half, Fernandes delivered a brilliant pass, and Martinez scored a close-range shot to give United the lead.
After conceding, Liverpool launched a counterattack and quickly scored two goals to take the lead. Gakpo showcased his individual prowess with a powerful shot to level the score, followed by Salah converting a penalty to make it 2-1.
At a critical juncture, substitute Ganche crossed the ball, and Diawara met it with a shot to secure a 2-2 draw. Although both teams ended up with a point each, they were likely unsatisfied with the outcome. Liverpool could not defeat United at home, leaving them feeling不甘 (unwilling to accept), while United missed out on taking all three points at Anfield due to Maguire's missed opportunity, also leaving them with regrets.
This draw allowed United to halt their slump in form. Although their hopes of finishing in the top four remain slim, they have significantly altered the title race landscape in the Premier League. With this result, Liverpool now only hold a six-point lead over Arsenal, having played one fewer game. Even if they win their postponed match against Everton, the gap between the two will not reach double digits. With more than half of the league season remaining, Arsenal still has a chance to turn things around.
It can be said that there is still much suspense in the Premier League title race this season. In the second half of the season, Liverpool will face tough away matches against Manchester City, Villa, and Chelsea, in addition to a home showdown with Arsenal. It is clear that Liverpool will drop points in upcoming games, giving Arsenal opportunities. However, Arsenal must avoid losing points easily themselves; otherwise, no external help will suffice. The Premier League title race is far from reaching its climax. United's ability to draw with Liverpool indicates that the latter is not invincible, unlike Manchester City in previous seasons. Liverpool's advantage in strength is not significant, and with Alexander-Arnold's desire to join Real Madrid and Salah's contract situation unresolved, there is potential unrest within the team. If these core issues are not addressed promptly, Liverpool's title aspirations may become uncertain!
