Gary Neville says Manchester United targeted Liverpool star at Anfield
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Gary Neville believes Manchester United targeted a Liverpool player during Sunday’s Premier League clash at Anfield. There were fears United would be on the receiving end of an embarrassing scoreline given the fortunes of both sides going into the match.
![[Liverpool FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192539077.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
United had lost four games in a row and were beaten by Newcastle United, Wolves and Bournemouth without scoring a goal. Liverpool, meanwhile, had won four games on the bounce, putting five past West Ham and six past Tottenham over the Christmas period.
![[Liverpool FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2192549634.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
But after withstanding some early pressure, Manchester United grew into the game and took the lead shortly after half-time through Lisandro Martinez. United’s opener came down the left-hand side with Trent Alexander-Arnold enduring a difficult afternoon and attracting brutal criticism from the likes of ex-Old Trafford captain Roy Keane.
The Premier League leaders equalised through Cody Gakpo and then went ahead courtesy of another Mohamed Salah goal, this time from the penalty spot after Matthijs de Ligt handled in the box. Manchester United refused to give up, however, and earned a well-deserved equaliser through Amad Diallo’s 80th-minute goal.
United’s second also came down Alexander-Arnold’s side of the pitch and Neville believes the visitors purposely targeted the Liverpool right-back, who was mercifully subbed off late on shortly after receiving a yellow card. ‘From the first minute, [Manchester United’s] Diogo Dalot thought, “I’ve got you”,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast in reference to the Portuguese’s battle with England star Alexander-Arnold.
