Amorim’s men end nine-year Anfield drought as champions suffer fourth straight defeat
Manchester United produced one of their most memorable performances in recent memory, defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield to claim their first Premier League victory at the ground since 2016. Harry Maguire’s commanding late header sealed the result, turning a tense rivalry encounter into a statement win for Ruben Amorim’s side.
The win marked United’s second consecutive league triumph, the first time that feat has been achieved under Amorim, and lifted them within two points of the reigning champions as Liverpool’s alarming slump continued. Arne Slot’s side have now lost four matches in a row across all competitions, the club’s worst run in over a decade.
United made a dream start, silencing Anfield inside 63 seconds when Bryan Mbeumo pounced on a ball from Amad Diallo and fired past Giorgi Mamardashvili. The goal, however, sparked controversy as Liverpool appealed for the play to be stopped due to a head injury sustained by Alexis Mac Allister in the buildup after colliding with Virgil van Dijk. The referee allowed play to continue, and Mbeumo’s quick reactions gave United an early lead that set the tone for an explosive match.
Liverpool responded with intensity, dominating stretches of possession and peppering Senne Lammens’ goal. Cody Gakpo struck the post three times, once from a deflection and twice with fierce drives, before finally levelling the score in the 78th minute, turning in Federico Chiesa’s low cross at the near post to ignite hopes of a comeback.
Those hopes were crushed six minutes later. From a Bruno Fernandes free-kick, Maguire rose highest, guiding a powerful header into the bottom corner to send the travelling support into delirium. The goal crowned a defiant defensive display from the England international, who had been drafted into the starting XI for his aerial prowess and ended the night as captain and match-winner.
Manager Ruben Amorim hailed the victory as “the most important of my tenure so far,” praising his players’ spirit and composure under immense pressure. “We lost our rhythm at times, but the fight was unquestionable,” Amorim said post-match. “If you have the spirit, you can win any game”.
For Liverpool, however, a week of frustration grew darker. Despite controlling large parts of the game and recording 23 shots, Slot’s men were punished for defensive lapses and poor finishing. Mohamed Salah’s goal drought reached seven league matches, while Alexander Isak’s wait for his first Premier League goal as a Red continues.
Team captain Virgil van Dijk admitted post-match that Liverpool “must stick together” amid growing criticism, while Slot lamented his side’s costly mistakes. “We created more than enough to win,” the manager said. “But the few chances we conceded turned into goals. If you don’t defend set pieces properly, you get punished”.
The victory not only ended United’s Anfield curse but also breathed new life into their campaign. Amorim’s tactical flexibility, opting for a fluid front trio of Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Mason Mount, allowed United to exploit Liverpool’s high defensive line with pace and precision. Goalkeeper Lammens also earned plaudits for multiple key saves, cementing his place as one of the club’s best summer acquisitions.
For Liverpool, the result extended their spell without a league win to nearly a month and raised serious concerns over the defending champions’ form heading into a congested winter schedule.
As the final whistle blew, United’s bench emptied onto the pitch, Amorim embracing Maguire near the away end as fans roared in disbelief. After nearly a decade of waiting, Manchester United’s redemption at Anfield had finally arrived, a win that may just signal a new chapter in their season and extend the gloom hovering over their fiercest rivals.
