Harry Maguire’s late header delivered Manchester United their first victory at Anfield since 2016, a dramatic 2-1 triumph that condemned Liverpool to a fourth consecutive defeat and marked a potential turning point in Ruben Amorim’s tenure.
The captain powered home Bruno Fernandes’ cross in the 84th minute, just six minutes after Cody Gakpo had cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s sensational early opener. The win gives United back to back Premier League victories for the first time under Amorim and closes the gap to Liverpool to just two points.
Mbeumo stunned Anfield after only 62 seconds, finishing past Giorgi Mamardashvili following Amad Diallo’s pass to record the quickest Premier League goal scored at the ground between these fierce rivals. The strike came amid controversy, as Liverpool players protested that play should have been stopped for a head injury to Alexis Mac Allister, who went down after colliding with Virgil van Dijk in the buildup.
The early goal set the tone for what became a thrilling encounter between two sides experiencing contrasting fortunes. United executed their game plan effectively, getting the ball forward quickly and exploiting gaps in Liverpool’s defense through a mobile front three of Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Mason Mount.
Amorim’s tactical decision to leave Benjamin Sesko on the bench proved justified, with Mbeumo and Cunha particularly effective against Liverpool’s left side where Van Dijk and Milos Kerkez struggled throughout. The opening goal exposed defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued Liverpool during their recent slump, marking the seventh successive match without a clean sheet for Arne Slot’s side.
Liverpool dominated possession with 63.8 percent and created numerous chances, but wasteful finishing and resolute defending kept them at bay for long periods. Gakpo hit the woodwork three times before finally beating Senne Lammens in the 78th minute, but his most glaring miss came with three minutes remaining when he planted a close range header wide of an open goal.
That squandered opportunity proved fatal. Moments later, Fernandes delivered an exquisite cross into the box and Maguire rose above Ibrahima Konate to power a header past Mamardashvili. The goal vindicated the much criticized defender’s place in the team and capped a composed performance that answered questions about his role in United’s squad.
Lammens produced several crucial saves on what was effectively his competitive debut, having impressed in United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland before the international break. The Belgian goalkeeper’s shot stopping kept Liverpool’s attacking threats neutralized during periods of sustained pressure.
For Liverpool, the defeat extends their worst run since 2014 and ends a 20 match unbeaten streak at Anfield. The champions now sit four points behind leaders Arsenal in third place, with their title defense unraveling amid defensive fragility and attacking inefficiency.
Mohamed Salah endured a frustrating afternoon, cutting an isolated figure as United’s defensive structure limited his opportunities. When presented with a clear chance at an acute angle, the Egyptian forward sliced his shot wide, summing up Liverpool’s profligacy in front of goal.
Slot made three substitutions in an attempt to spark his side, bringing on Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Curtis Jones, but United’s defensive organization held firm. The manager later acknowledged his team created enough chances to win but lamented their inability to convert opportunities.
The loss represents Liverpool’s third consecutive Premier League defeat, a collapse that has transformed their season from title contenders to a side searching for answers. Defensive issues at set pieces continue plaguing them, with Maguire becoming the latest player to exploit their aerial vulnerability.
United’s victory carries enormous significance beyond the three points. Breaking the Anfield curse removes a psychological barrier that has haunted the club for nearly a decade. The manner of the win, coming from behind after conceding an equalizer, demonstrates character and resilience that has been lacking in Amorim’s early months.
The Portuguese manager now has momentum, with consecutive league victories providing breathing space after an inconsistent start to his reign. United sit ninth with 13 points, suddenly within striking distance of European qualification spots.
This result could mark the moment when United’s season ignited and Liverpool’s imploded. For one set of fans, it’s the return of belief after years of suffering at their rivals’ fortress. For the other, it’s a crisis demanding immediate answers before their title ambitions disappear entirely.
The iconic rivalry delivered another memorable chapter, one that will be replayed endlessly in Manchester while causing nightmares on Merseyside. Sometimes football’s narratives shift in 90 minutes, and this was one of those occasions.