Liverpool’s slump continued as they fell 2-1 to Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, marking their fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in 11 years and United’s first win at the ground since 2016.
Harry Maguire’s towering 84th-minute header sealed back-to-back Premier League victories for United under Ruben Amorim — the first time the Portuguese coach has managed that feat since taking charge.
Bryan Mbeumo had stunned the home crowd by opening the scoring after just 61 seconds, before Cody Gakpo equalised 12 minutes from time. But Maguire’s late winner ensured a memorable triumph for United and piled more pressure on Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
The result leaves Liverpool four points behind leaders Arsenal and searching for solutions despite spending nearly £450 million to rebuild the squad over the summer. United, meanwhile, climb to ninth in the table, closing the gap to their historic rivals to just two points.
“It means everything,” Maguire said after the match. “They’ve had the better of us for years and we haven’t given our fans enough days like this. It’s been a long time coming, winning here and taking three points.”
United End Anfield Drought
Liverpool had dominated this fixture in recent seasons, losing just once in their previous 14 league meetings with United. But the defending champions, still mourning the tragic loss of Diogo Jota in July, looked unsettled as they continue to adjust to Slot’s new era.
Their problems deepened almost instantly when Mbeumo burst past Virgil van Dijk and slotted home from Amad Diallo’s pass, though Liverpool were furious that play hadn’t been stopped moments earlier when Alexis Mac Allister went down with a head injury.
Slot, who again benched £100 million signing Florian Wirtz, watched his side struggle to create chances. Gakpo hit the post from Mohamed Salah’s pass in their only fluent first-half move, while Bruno Fernandes and Mbeumo both struck the woodwork at the other end.
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept United in front with a key save to deny Alexander Isak’s close-range effort — the striker still searching for his first goal since arriving in a British record £125 million move.
Liverpool’s Late Rally Falls Short
After the break, Gakpo twice struck the post again before Liverpool finally broke through in the 78th minute. Substitute Federico Chiesa drilled in a low cross that Gakpo turned home from close range to make it 1-1.
But United capitalised on Liverpool’s continued defensive frailties when Maguire rose highest to head home from a Bruno Fernandes corner six minutes from time, silencing Anfield and sealing a landmark victory.
For United, it was their biggest win under Amorim and a morale-boosting statement; for Liverpool, it was another night of frustration in a turbulent title defence.
