Not exactly fighting talk for what is, arguably, currently the European game’s toughest assignment, a meeting with a Liverpool side racing clear at the top of the Premier League and carrying all before them in the Champions League.
And yet, against all odds and in the teeth of a Merseyside blizzard, United showed all the qualities Amorim claimed they had been missing to deliver the finest performance of his short reign to earn a 2-2 draw.
Yes, the derby win at Manchester City may be United’s best result under the Portuguese, but this was the most complete display.
There was a freakish element to that win at Etihad Stadium, two late goals pinching the points at the end of a dreadful game. Here, with the Kop expecting Liverpool to over-run this United side in reduced circumstances, Amorim’s men stood up to be counted.
Lisandro Martinez gave them the lead but, even after Cody Gakpo’s angled strike and Mohamed Salah’s penalty left them chasing, United never gave up hope or took a backward step as Amad Diallo’s late equaliser shared the points.
And it could have been more. Much more. If Harry Maguire had not shot over the top of an open goal with seconds of seven added minutes left, Amorim and United could have been celebrating a landmark first win at Anfield since Wayne Rooney struck in 2016.
“If we show this level at Liverpool, first in the Premier League, then why can’t we do this everywhere,” Bruno Fernandes said.
“We have been criticised and fairly. Our position in the table says it all. We have lost too many points. I’m pretty upset. It frustrates me and finally I did a proper performance. We know how tough it is to play Liverpool, but we put in a real effort and played with some passion and heart. We can’t stop here. We have to bring this heart, passion and frustration to the next game,” Fernandes stated.
