In a dramatic Premier League showdown at Anfield yesterday, Manchester United sealed a gritty 2-1 victory over Liverpool, thanks to a late header from Harry Maguire. The result ended United’s nine-year winless run at Anfield and piled new pressure on Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool, already enduring a disastrous spell with four consecutive losses across all competitions, once again squandered chances and failed to convert their dominance.
The opening goal came early for United through Bryan Mbeumo in an attacking burst that caught Liverpool off guard.
Liverpool responded when Cody Gakpo leveled with a composed finish. But Gakpo also struck the woodwork three times later in the match, missing multiple golden chances.
The decisive moment arrived in the 89th minute, as Maguire rose highest to head home the winner — a powerful strike that silenced the home crowd.
Mohamed Salah, who had several opportunities, notably missed a close-range chance that might have leveled the game. Some pundits even questioned whether he should remain an automatic starter in away matches
This loss drops Liverpool to 4th in the table, four points behind leaders Arsenal, emphasizing just how precarious their situation has become.
Liverpool’s performance was marked by attacking aggression but defensive frailties. When chasing the game, they left gaps that United exploited, particularly late on. Slot admitted his team’s finishing and defensive lapses were costly.
Their forward players looked dangerous, but efficiency was missing. Gakpo’s woodwork strikes and Salah’s miss reflect a deeper issue of converting chances — a pattern that has haunted them recently.
Added scrutiny came from former Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who said Salah’s form has dipped so much that he shouldn’t be an automatic starter in away games.
The mounting pressure has even led to speculation about Klopp’s possible return, with some viewing Slot’s tenure as fragile after this string of losses.
From a football prediction perspective, United’s win at Anfield will prompt odds adjustments. Matches involving Liverpool may now favor double chance (draw or away) or both teams to score (BTTS) markets. Given Liverpool’s attacking volume despite poor results, BTTS could remain a consideration.
Liverpool must rebound quickly, starting with crucial fixtures in the Champions League and Premier League. For Slot, failure to reverse this trend soon could erode confidence from fans and the board alike.
United, buoyed by this historic win, will look to build momentum and push for a European spot. For Ruben Amorim, this may be the biggest victory of his tenure so far — but he’s warned not to get carried away.
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