In a thrilling Premier League showdown at Anfield, Manchester United pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool, marking their first league win at the iconic ground in nearly a decade. Despite being underdogs and facing a Liverpool side eager to bounce back from recent defeats, United’s mix of resilience, clinical finishing, and standout individual performances saw them leave Merseyside with all three points.
United Defy the Odds at Anfield
Manchester United entered the clash on the back of a win against Sunderland, hoping to string together consecutive league victories for the first time under Ruben Amorim. While recent head-to-head records across all competitions suggested a tightly contested matchup, the Red Devils hadn’t won a league fixture against Liverpool since August 2022—and not at Anfield since before that.
Despite being unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Reds, United were widely viewed as second-favourites. Amorim raised eyebrows with a bold decision to drop young defender Leny Yoro in favour of veteran Harry Maguire. The only other change saw Matheus Cunha come in for Benjamin Sesko. Liverpool, meanwhile, stuck with the same lineup that had lost to Chelsea in their previous outing.
The match also marked notable milestones: Giorgi Mamardashvili made his Anfield debut in the league for Liverpool, while Bruno Fernandes played his 100th Premier League away game—a century he celebrated in style.
Mbeumo Strikes Early as Liverpool Stumble Again
Just over a minute into the match, Bryan Mbeumo stunned the Anfield faithful by opening the scoring with a composed finish—the fastest goal of the 2025/26 Premier League season and the earliest in this historic rivalry since 1995. It was a worrying sign for Arne Slot’s side, who had already conceded more early goals (inside 15 minutes) than any other Premier League team this season.
Though Liverpool dominated early possession, enjoying over 65% of the ball in the first 30 minutes, it was United who carved out the better chances. Fernandes rattled the post soon after Gakpo did the same for the hosts, highlighting the end-to-end nature of the encounter. Remarkably, United tallied three shots on target in the opening half-hour—something they hadn’t managed in a league game since April 2024.
United’s Front Three Shine as Liverpool Struggle to Convert
Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo, and Mason Mount formed a lively attacking trio that consistently troubled Liverpool’s backline, while the Reds’ own front three—Salah, Gakpo, and Alexander Isak—struggled to find the same rhythm.
Despite Liverpool’s 19 crosses in the first half, United held firm and entered the break with a lead—the first time they’d done so at Anfield since the 2014/15 season under Louis van Gaal. And history was on their side: United had never lost a Premier League match at Anfield when leading at halftime.
Gakpo’s Equaliser Offers Hope—but Not for Long
Liverpool returned from the break with renewed urgency, and Cody Gakpo continued to be their most threatening outlet. He hit the woodwork again early in the second half, making it three times in the match—an unfortunate hat-trick that underlined Liverpool’s frustrations in front of goal.
Still, Liverpool’s relentless pressure eventually paid off. With 13 minutes left on the clock, Gakpo finally found the net, levelling the score with his fourth goal in six appearances against United. The strike also etched his name into the record books as the first Liverpool player to score in his first three Premier League starts against the Red Devils.
Maguire the Match-Winner in Memorable Night
Just as Liverpool appeared to be in the ascendency, Manchester United struck back. A corner wasn’t dealt with, and Harry Maguire rose above everyone to power home a header—his first goal of the season and a deserved reward for a dominant defensive display.
Maguire’s contribution went far beyond his goal. The England international won 10 duels, contested nine aerial battles, recovered possession four times, and had three touches inside Liverpool’s box—joint-most alongside Mbeumo and Cunha.
It was a performance that symbolised United’s gritty, backs-to-the-wall style on the night.
Salah’s Struggles Continue as Lammens Shines
While United celebrated, Liverpool were left to rue another frustrating outing—particularly for Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian was subbed off after another ineffective display, extending his longest run without a non-penalty league goal to seven games.
The real star at the back for United, though, was goalkeeper Senne Lammens. He made five crucial saves, including several in the frantic closing stages, and finished the match with 55 touches—the joint-most of any United player. His performance was key in helping Amorim’s side withstand a Liverpool barrage in the final 15 minutes, during which the hosts held a staggering 78.9% possession.
Final Whistle: United Make a Statement, Liverpool in Crisis
Manchester United’s 2-1 win not only handed them a rare and historic triumph at Anfield but also extended their unbeaten run when leading at halftime in the league to 11 matches. For Liverpool, it was a fourth straight defeat in all competitions—their worst run since 2014—and a third consecutive Premier League loss, last experienced in early 2021.
With questions now mounting over Arne Slot’s tactics and Liverpool’s leaky defence, this result could prove a pivotal moment in both clubs’ seasons.
