Premier League
Manchester United Ends Nine-Year Anfield Drought With Dramatic Victory Over Liverpool
For the first time since January 2016, Manchester United walked off the Anfield turf victorious and they did it in style.
In a thrilling Premier League clash full of controversy and woodwork rattles Ruben Amorim’s side ended a nine-match winless run on Liverpool’s ground, sealing a memorable 2-1 win that puts them just two points behind the reigning champions.
A Lightning Start
Few could have predicted such a fast start. Barely 62 seconds into the match, United silenced Anfield. Captain Bruno Fernandes spread play wide to Amad Diallo, who slipped a perfectly timed through ball to Bryan Mbeumo.
The Ivorian’s weighted pass split Liverpool’s backline, allowing Mbeumo to calmly slot past Giorgi Mamardashvili. The goal was the second-earliest ever scored in a Premier League meeting between these two historic rivals.
Liverpool, however, was furious. Moments before the goal, Alexis Mac Allister had gone down after a collision with Virgil van Dijk, but referee Anthony Taylor waved play on.
As United celebrated, boos echoed across the stadium, with Anfield fans feeling their side had been unfairly punished while their midfielder was down injured.
Liverpool Fight Back
After a sluggish start, Arne Slot’s men gradually found their rhythm. Cody Gakpo, leading the line in fine form, almost equalised in the 21st minute when his curling effort beat Senne Lammens but clipped the far post.
United, though, wasn’t content to sit back. Moments later, Amad again caused havoc on the right, squaring for Fernandes, whose thunderous strike cannoned off the post.
Liverpool’s defense, usually so assured at home, looked nervy and vulnerable to United’s sharp counters.
Bryan Mbeumo could have doubled his tally before half-time, but Mamardashvili came to the rescue with two vital saves first from Mbeumo’s strike and then Mason Mount’s follow-up.
At the other end, Gakpo saw a cross deflected onto the bar, while Alexander Isak, a summer signing who has yet to fully ignite at Liverpool, forced Lammens into a reflex save. The Red Devils entered the break 1-0 up and full of confidence.
Liverpool’s Woodwork Woes Continue
Slot’s halftime talk appeared to have the desired effect as Liverpool came out flying. Within minutes, Mohamed Salah, quiet in the first half, began to find pockets of space, tormenting United’s backline.
His floated cross to the back post found Gakpo, who controlled beautifully before firing towards goal, only to see his shot ricochet off the post once again.
That was Liverpool’s third time hitting the woodwork, a cruel reflection of their misfortune. Amorim and Slot both reacted around the hour mark, making triple substitutions that transformed the tempo into an end-to-end battle.
Gakpo Sparks Anfield into Life
With Liverpool pouring forward, it felt only a matter of time before the equaliser came and it did, courtesy of the man who had been their brightest spark all game.
In the 73rd minute, Federico Chiesa, introduced from the bench, whipped a teasing cross across the six-yard box, and Gakpo was on hand to bundle the ball home.
The roar was deafening as Liverpool looked to ride their momentum and complete the turnaround. The home fans believed, and for a brief spell, United looked under real pressure.
Maguire the Unlikely Hero
But as has often been the case under Amorim, Manchester United found a way. Against the run of play, they struck again and it was their captain in waiting, Harry Maguire, who delivered.
In the 84th minute, Bruno Fernandes sent a delicious, curling cross into the box, and Maguire rose above Van Dijk to power his header into the bottom corner.
The goal stunned Anfield. United’s bench erupted in celebration while Amorim remained composed on the touchline, urging focus for the final minutes.
Statement Win for Amorim’s Men
When the final whistle blew, the United players collapsed in relief and jubilation.
For the first time since 2016, Manchester United had conquered Anfield and they did it with a performance that blended grit, structure, and clinical edge.
This victory marked back-to-back Premier League wins for the Red Devils, a first under Amorim’s reign, and further evidence that the Portuguese manager’s philosophy is starting to click.
