Weekend Review: Man Utd show pride against Liverpool as Detroit Lions seal NFC No. 1 seed

Manchester United had positives to take against Liverpool, while Detriot Lions sent out a warning to the rest of the league. 

It is the first weekend review of the new year and what a weekend it was. While a host of sporting competitions are still on break due to the festive holidays, fans were still treated to some excitement. 

The tennis season is back as the United States of America beat Poland to win the United Cup ahead of the Australian Open, which starts next Monday. Meanwhile, there were NBA games over the weekend as teams continued their quest for a playoff spot. 

The West seems keenly contested, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks all currently battling it out for the sixth spot. 

However, the biggest sporting headlines last weekend came from the world of football (both international football and American Football). Let’s get right into it. 

Manchester United show pride against Liverpool 

The biggest game in the Premier League was at Anfield as Liverpool hosted Manchester United on Sunday evening. Every season, this is always one of the games of the season irrespective of their fortunes. 

For Man Utd, though, it was not a match their fans were looking forward to because they have been dreadful this season. United went into the game, sitting in 14th position and having lost their last three league games. 

No one gave them a chance going into the game as they were up against a Liverpool side that had lost just one game all season. Liverpool had a chance to move eight points clear with a win after Brighton held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw. 

However, it was Man Utd that went home happier of the two sides after they managed an impressive 2-2 draw. 

In fairness, Liverpool did not do enough to win it. Arne Slot’s men were lethargic for most of the first half, failing to exert dominance. 

Despite their poor form, United won the second ball and looked to be up for it, unlike the home side. 

The Red Devils eventually got the reward their performance deserved as they took the lead minutes after the break after Lisandro Martinez fired past Alisson Becker in Liverpool’s goal. 

Martinez’s goal did wake Liverpool up as Cody Gakpo fired the Reds level almost immediately with a brilliant finish. 

Moments later, Mohamed Salah put Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot after Mathijs De Ligt was adjudged to have handled in the box after a VAR review. 

It looked like Liverpool would eventually go on to win it, but Ahmad Diallo’s finish drew United level ten minutes from time. 

Diallo’s goal gave Man Utd more energy to go for it and they almost did in the last minute, but Harry Maguire could only sky a ball from Zirkzee with the goal at his mercy. 

Nonetheless, it was a performance that would give Ruben Amorim’s men the confidence they need ahead of their next run of games.

Detroit Lions seal NFC top spot 

Going to the final week of the National Football League (NFL) regular season, all eyes were on the Detroit Lions clash against the Minnesota Vikings as the NFC No. 1 seed was at stake for the winner. 

While the Lions had the home-field advantage, they went into the game with a lot of injury problems on the defensive end. However, it was not even close at all as they secured a 31-9 win. 

Jahmyr Gibbs was the star of the show as he ran for 139 yards and scored four touchdowns as the Lions dominated the Minnesota Vikings in a winner-take-all game at Ford Field. The Lions now know that they are just two wins away from reaching the Super Bowl.