Manchester United stunned Premier League giants Liverpool with a dramatic 2–1 victory at Anfield on Sunday, courtesy of a late header from Harry Maguire, ending a nine-year winless streak at the home of the reigning champions.
The result adds to Liverpool’s mounting woes, leaving them four consecutive defeats across all competitions and raising questions over their title ambitions.
Liverpool, now sitting fourth in the Premier League table with 15 points, remain four points behind leaders Arsenal, while Manchester United climbed to ninth place with 13 points, marking their first consecutive league wins since Ruben Amorim took charge last November.
The match started explosively, with Manchester United taking an early lead just a minute after kickoff. Bryan Mbeumo capitalized on a precise forward run by Amad Diallo, who flicked a ball for the striker to finish neatly from inside the penalty area. The early goal shocked Anfield and left the home supporters in disbelief.
Liverpool fans were visibly frustrated, believing play should have been stopped after Alexis Mac Allister collided with teammate Virgil Van Dijk, leaving Mac Allister clutching his head. However, the goal stood, giving United an unexpected advantage.
Liverpool responded with urgency, dominated possession, and created numerous opportunities, but misfortune struck early and often. Cody Gakpo, in particular, proved a constant threat, hitting the post three times before finally finding the net in the 78th minute. He calmly tapped in a cross from Federico Chiesa, restoring parity and seemingly setting the stage for a late Liverpool surge.
However, United had one final twist in store. In the 84th minute, Bruno Fernandes delivered a perfectly floated cross into the box, and Harry Maguire rose above Ibrahima Konate to power a decisive header past Liverpool’s goalkeeper, sending Manchester United fans into jubilation. The goal marked a historic end to United’s nine-year wait for a league victory at Anfield.
The match was not without controversy. Early on, there were shouts for a Liverpool penalty when Casemiro’s cross struck Amad Diallo’s arm in the penalty area. VAR intervened, and the video assistant referee ruled that Diallo’s arm was in a natural position, letting play continue.
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Despite United’s efficient counterattacking, Liverpool dominated many statistical aspects of the game. The hosts had 19 shots to United’s 12, including a series of near misses that could have dramatically changed the scoreline. Gakpo’s relentless efforts in the first half saw him strike the post twice, followed by another near miss shortly after the restart. Yet, the Dutch forward’s attempts to complete a hat-trick were thwarted in the dying minutes when he headed wide from close range, missing a golden opportunity to equalize.
Adding to Liverpool’s woes, Mohamed Salah, who had been a consistent goal threat in the league, squandered a high-quality chance in the second half. With the ball falling to him unmarked at the far post, Salah’s attempt went wide, leaving the Egyptian visibly frustrated and further compounding the team’s anxieties.
The defeat is historically significant for Liverpool, marking the first time the club has lost four consecutive matches in all competitions since November 2014, under the management of Brendan Rodgers. The current run of poor results has not only dented morale but also raised concerns about Liverpool’s defensive solidity and finishing efficiency, issues that may require urgent attention from manager Jürgen Klopp.
Manchester United, on the other hand, can take heart from the result. The team displayed resilience and tactical discipline, making the most of limited opportunities and capitalizing at crucial moments. Bryan Mbeumo’s early strike and Harry Maguire’s late header highlighted United’s ability to punish opponents with clinical finishing, while defensive organization helped keep Liverpool’s prolific attack at bay for long stretches of the game.
The win also provides a psychological boost for United, who have struggled to assert themselves consistently in the Premier League. Securing back-to-back victories for the first time under their current management demonstrates that the team can perform under pressure, even against elite opposition on the road.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will need to regroup quickly. With their title challenge in jeopardy, the Reds must find solutions to their defensive lapses, capitalize on scoring opportunities, and rediscover consistency in front of goal. United, meanwhile, will hope to build on this historic victory and maintain momentum as the season progresses.
In a thrilling encounter filled with tension, missed chances, and moments of brilliance, it was ultimately Harry Maguire’s towering header that stole the headlines and etched another memorable chapter in Manchester United’s storied history at Anfield.