Liverpool's struggles continue as Manchester United secures a crucial victory at Anfield.
Liverpool slumped to a fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in 11 years as Manchester United won 2-1 on Sunday, marking a significant moment for the Red Devils who ended their nearly decade-long wait for victory at Anfield.
Harry Maguire’s 84th-minute header secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time under manager Ruben Amorim. The match saw Bryan Mbeumo score just 61 seconds into the game, giving Liverpool an early lead, but Cody Gakpo equalized twelve minutes before Maguire’s decisive goal.
The defeat leaves Liverpool four points adrift of Arsenal at the top of the table, with manager Arne Slot still searching for answers after investing nearly £450 million in new players during the transfer market. Meanwhile, United’s victory brings them within two points of their historic rivals and up to ninth place in the league, easing the pressure on Amorim after his biggest win in nearly a year.
“It means everything. They had had the better of us over the last few years and it’s not been good for our club,” said Maguire. “We have not given our fans enough days like today, so it has been a long time coming, coming to this ground and picking up three points.”
STATE OF FLUX
Liverpool had previously lost only one of their last 14 Premier League meetings with Manchester United, and the Red Devils had not tasted victory at Anfield since January 2016, during the early days of Jurgen Klopp’s reign. However, the Reds are currently in a state of flux, having transformed their squad after winning the title last season and dealing with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July.
After three consecutive defeats, Liverpool’s start to the match could not have been worse. Mbeumo sped past Virgil van Dijk with ease before firing past goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Amad Diallo’s pass just a minute into the game.
The home side and their supporters were furious that play was not stopped in the build-up after Alexis MacAllister went down with a head injury, inflicted by his own captain, Van Dijk. Slot opted to leave £100 million signing Florian Wirtz on the bench for the second consecutive game as he struggled to find the right balance between defense and attack.
Gakpo had a chance to level for the defending champions but hit the post from Mohamed Salah’s through ball during Liverpool’s only notable attacking move of the first half. United, on the other hand, could have extended their lead before halftime, with Bruno Fernandes missing a glorious opportunity when he hit the outside of the post while unmarked from the edge of the area.
At the other end, goalkeeper Senne Lammens was rarely troubled in the first half but made a crucial save to deny Alexander Isak his first Premier League goal since joining Liverpool for a British transfer record of £125 million. Gakpo’s deflected cross hit the post, and he rattled the woodwork for a third time early in the second half.
DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES
Slot turned to his nearly £200 million worth of attacking options off the bench, introducing Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to join Salah, Gakpo, and Isak in a five-man attack. Salah, who has scored more goals than any other player in this fixture, showed signs of poor form, slicing wide with just Lammens to beat at the back post.
Liverpool’s wealth of attacking talent finally broke through when Federico Chiesa, who had replaced Isak moments earlier, drilled in a low cross that Gakpo converted from point-blank range. However, their defensive frailties meant that parity lasted only six minutes, as Maguire was left unmarked to head in Fernandes’s looping cross.
Gakpo had another chance to rescue a point but headed wide from Jeremie Frimpong’s inviting delivery. Ultimately, Liverpool fell to their first league defeat at Anfield in over a year, further diminishing their hopes of claiming a record 21st English top-flight title.
Key Points
- Liverpool suffers fourth consecutive defeat, a first in 11 years.
- Manchester United secures a crucial 2-1 victory at Anfield.
- Harry Maguire scores the winning goal in the 84th minute.
- Liverpool's struggles continue despite significant investment in new players.
- United moves up to ninth in the Premier League table.
Sources: Man Utd condemn Liverpool to fourth successive defeat
