Man Utd flustered and rattled Liverpool but have to back it up: Alan Shearer
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Manchester United's 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday delivered a thrilling spectacle, as the league leaders struggled to cope with the Red Devils' unrelenting attacks. Despite the dropped points, Liverpool maintains a six-point lead at the top of the table, with a game in hand over second-placed Arsenal, who drew 1-1 with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Premier League all-time top scorer Alan Shearer shared his views on Liverpool's performance, emphasizing there is no need for panic. “I don't think many people expected Manchester United to achieve a positive result at Anfield, let alone deliver the outstanding performance they showed on Sunday.
I certainly didn’t anticipate it,” Shearer told a prominent media outlet. “In contrast, Liverpool were far from their best and didn’t reach the levels we’ve come to expect this season. “Still, there’s no cause for alarm. Despite these dropped points and a lackluster display, Liverpool remains in a commanding position at the top of the table. What might give the chasing pack some hope are the goals Liverpool conceded. They appeared unsettled after falling behind in the second half, something we haven’t seen often this season, and United’s relentless attacks continued to trouble them,” Shearer added. The match was a stark contrast in form, with United—who have only secured two league wins in nine games under head coach Ruben Amorim—sitting in 13th place but seemingly outclassing the league leaders.
Shearer highlighted that United's performance could be a turning point and a benchmark for their upcoming fixtures, including their FA Cup clash against Arsenal at the Emirates. “Now, they have to build on this. While we already know Liverpool is the real deal, and one disappointing day doesn’t change that, the challenge for United is proving this wasn’t a one-off. “Anfield is the toughest place to visit in the Premier League this season, and this performance has showcased their potential. However, every game going forward will be measured against this standard. Whether it’s against Arsenal in the FA Cup next weekend or at home against bottom-placed Southampton, the level they displayed here needs to become their new normal,” he concluded.
