Liverpool’s slump continued as Harry Maguire’s header sealed a 2-1 victory for Manchester United in an exhilarating Premier League contest at Anfield.
Cody Gakpo, who had earlier hit the woodwork three times, thought he had rescued at least a point for Liverpool when he tucked home in the 78th minute.
The pressure had been building from the champions, who trailed after 62 seconds – Bryan Mbeumo having capitalised on a mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Yet Man Utd had squandered chances of their own, with Bruno Fernandes striking the post with a very presentable chance during the first half. The Red Devils’ captain made amends when he volleyed in the sumptuous cross from which Maguire headed home the winner.
Man Utd’s victory takes them into ninth place, just two points behind Liverpool, who are fourth but have now lost their last four games in all competitions.
How the match unfolded
Having got back to his feet following a collision in midfield with Alexis Mac Allister and Van Dijk, Mbeumo made no mistake as he darted in behind Liverpool’s captain and finished from Amad’s pass to stun the home fans.
Those supporters almost had a superb equaliser to celebrate in the 21st minute, but Gakpo struck the upright at the end of a sweeping move.
Fernandes could have made Liverpool pay for that miss moments later, only to hit the right-hand post with a first-time shot from the edge of the box, but the woodwork came to Man Utd’s rescue again at the other end from Gakpo’s deflected cross.
Gakpo slammed another effort against the post just after half-time, before a triple change from Arne Slot — bringing on Hugo Ekitike, Curtis Jones and Florian Wirtz - saw Liverpool go all-out attack. Mohamed Salah sliced wide from close range, but the pressure told when Gakpo steered in Federico Chiesa’s centre.
Liverpool’s hopes of a comeback victory were quashed in the 84th minute, though, as Maguire expertly met Fernandes’ brilliant cross, though there was still time for Gakpo to head wide with the goal at his mercy as Man Utd held on for their first league win at Anfield since 2016.
Slot’s machine falters again
Slot would have been hoping the international window provided a well-timed break for his misfiring team, who had gone into it on the back of late defeats to Chelsea and Crystal Palace, as well as a UEFA Champions League loss to Galatasaray.
But the nervousness around Anfield was palpable when Mbeumo struck. Slot was not happy that play was not called back for a Mac Allister head injury, but even so, Van Dijk and Konate failed to cover themselves in glory.
But Liverpool’s superstar attackers must shoulder responsibility, too.
Alexander Isak snatched at his one big chance, seeing a shot smothered by Senne Lammens midway through the first half.
Gakpo toiled and tussled, three times frustrated by the frame of the goal before his luck finally turned, after Slot boldly switched to 4-2-4.
Yet Gakpo and the bright Chiesa aside, Liverpool’s attack faltered, with Salah particularly short of form.
The Egyptian spurned a glorious opportunity when he was picked out by Milos Kerkez at the back post, but was otherwise on the fringes, and he was subbed off in the 85th minute.
This should just be a bump in the road for an elite team, but Slot will know the importance of stopping the rot soon. Liverpool face Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday, before heading to Brentford for their next league outing.
Amorim’s statement win?
Is this finally lift-off for Ruben Amorim at Man Utd?
The Red Devils managed an admirable 2-2 draw in the corresponding fixture last season, and also claimed a huge win at Manchester City, but those results ultimately proved false dawns. But this time, will it be different?
Man Utd, for all their troubles, are into the top half and within touching distance of the top four. Even at this early stage, that will be a huge morale boost.
It could hardly have been a more ideal start for the visitors. Mbeumo deserves all the credit – he reacted sharply after that collision with two Liverpool players and showed a great burst of pace to get behind Van Dijk, and then great composure to finish past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
It could easily have been more for Man Utd, too, even if they did ride their luck at the other end. Fernandes was frustrated by the woodwork and Mason Mount directed a shot straight at Mamardashvili before half-time.
It was more of a counter-attacking approach for Man Utd after the interval, with Matheus Cunha excellent as a link between defence and the forward line, while Fernandes worked tirelessly in midfield.
Gakpo’s goal did not take the wind out of Man Utd’s sails, either, and when the big moment came, Maguire was on hand to secure a win that might just prove Amorim’s team are on the right track. They host Brighton & Hove Albion next weekend.
Club reports
Liverpool report | Man Utd report
What the managers said
Arne Slot: "It is a difficult moment. We need to focus on ourselves. We had so many chances, we should score more, and we should have defended better than we did. It is always difficult to play against a team that defends in a low block and mainly plays the long ball. It makes it even more difficult when you go one down after one minute."
Ruben Amorim: "I think that was the biggest win in my time at Manchester United. We fought for every ball, we lost our composure in the second half but the spirit was there and that is the most important thing. If you have the spirit, you can win any game."
Next PL fixtures
Key facts
Liverpool have lost four consecutive matches across all competitions for the first time since November 2014, with the Reds losing three Premier League games in a row for the first time since February 2021 (4).
Man Utd have won their first Premier League away game against Liverpool since January 2016 under Louis van Gaal, ending a run of nine league games without victory at Anfield (D5 L4).
Man Utd have won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since winning their final two games of the 2023/24 season and their opening game of the 2024/25 campaign. The Red Devils are the last of the 17 ever-present sides since the start of last season to win two in a row in the top flight.
Since the beginning of May, Liverpool have conceded 2+ goals in more Premier League games than any other side, doing so in eight of their 12 league matches.