Premier League leaders Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the table by six points on Sunday after a resolute Manchester United held them to a 2-2 draw at Anfield.
Lisandro Martinez swept United into the lead before Cody Gakpo levelled the scores with a blistering finish into the top corner. Mohammed Salah edged Liverpool ahead from the spot before Amad Diallo scored a late equaliser to earn United a crucial point.
The Red Devils are now seven points above the relegation zone and in 13th place in the standings.
Before the match, Liverpool manager Slot warned that United was “much better” than their startling league place indicated, and it turned out to be true.
The return of Manuel Ugarte and captain Bruno Fernandes from suspension, as well as Kobbie Mainoo to the starting lineup, strengthened Amorim’s hand.
Although the Portuguese’s strategy of frustrating Liverpool was successful, the home team did have early opportunities to break through.
With a through pass from Ryan Gravenberch, Gakpo poked past the far post.
Shortly after, Salah found Alexis Mac Allister with a sumptuous pass that the Argentine snatched up and caused Andre Onana to make a wonderful physical save.
United should have been ahead before halftime, but it took some time for them to establish themselves as an attacking danger.
With the goal gaping from Diogo Dalot’s cross, Diallo made a mistake with his header.
After racing in behind the Liverpool defence, Rasmus Hojlund had the finest opportunity of the first half, but he was unable to defeat Alisson Becker.
However, United players who had been dejected in recent weeks were suddenly regaining their confidence.
The visitors’ breakthrough came from an unexpected source as Martinez scored his second goal for the team with a blazing hit that landed off the underside of the bar, teaching his strikers how to finish.
The league leaders were momentarily at a loss, and the Anfield crowd was starting to become restless.
However, Liverpool’s depth of firepower is largely responsible for their top-of-the-table standing.
They had a forward who was in form to come up with the magic moment needed to change the game, even on a quiet day for Salah.
At the hour, Gakpo scored his 10th goal in 15 games by turning inside his Dutch international teammate Matthijs de Ligt and blasting high beyond Onana.
Slot made two offensive substitutions right away after the equaliser, introducing Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, and he was rewarded for it.
In a VAR review, a spot-kick was awarded when MacAllister’s header brushed off De Ligt’s outstretched arm within the penalty area.
Salah scored his 18th Premier League goal in 19 games with a low, powerful smash past Onana.
But United’s strong performance earned the point it deserved, ending Amorim’s worrying losing run so early in his tenure.
Alejandro Garnacho’s new manager has questioned his mentality, but the Argentine came off the bench to equalise when Diallo turned in his low cross.
And with the goal gaping deep into stoppage time, Harry Maguire should have made it even better for United by spooning a pass from Joshua Zirkzee over the bar.
