Manchester United ended a nine-year drought at Anfield with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool on October 19, 2025. Harry Maguire’s 84th-minute header secured back-to-back wins for United under manager Ruben Amorim, lifting them to ninth in the Premier League standings, just two points behind their rivals. Liverpool, now four points adrift of leaders Arsenal, suffered their first home league defeat in over a year, exposing defensive weaknesses despite a £450 million squad overhaul.

The match exploded into action when United’s Bryan Mbeumo scored after just 61 seconds, racing past Virgil van Dijk to convert Amad Diallo’s pass. Liverpool contested the goal, arguing play should have stopped due to Alexis MacAllister’s head injury from an accidental clash with Van Dijk. Despite holding 63.3% possession and creating nine open chances, Liverpool struggled to capitalise. Cody Gakpo hit the post, and Mohamed Salah fired wide early in the second half. United’s goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, was pivotal, making five saves, including a crucial stop to deny Alexander Isak his first Premier League goal since his £125 million transfer.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot, still seeking balance after heavy transfer spending, introduced £100 million signing Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to form a five-man attack. The move briefly paid off when Federico Chiesa’s low cross led to Gakpo’s 78th-minute equaliser. However, defensive lapses proved costly as Maguire, left unmarked, headed in Bruno Fernandes’s cross six minutes later. Slot lamented his team’s set-piece frailties, noting, “It’s almost impossible to win a big game with a negative set-piece balance.” Gakpo’s late header, which missed an open goal, epitomised Liverpool’s wasteful finishing.

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This loss, Liverpool’s third consecutive defeat under Slot, underscores ongoing challenges in blending a star-studded attack with defensive stability, further compounded by the absence of Diogo Jota. For United, the win eases pressure on Amorim, marking his biggest triumph in nearly a year. As Liverpool regroup to chase the title, United’s resurgence signals a potential shift in their season’s trajectory.

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