In a pulsating Premier League clash, Manchester United secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, marking their first win at the stadium since 2016. The Red Devils' triumph came courtesy of a late header from Harry Maguire, who struck in the 84th minute to silence the home crowd and extend Liverpool's losing streak to four consecutive games.
The match began with a dramatic flourish as Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring just 62 seconds into the game, capitalizing on a pass from Amad Diallo. The goal came amid controversy, as Liverpool players and fans expressed frustration over the referee's decision not to stop play for a head injury sustained by Alexis Mac Allister in the buildup. Mac Allister, who continued to play wearing protective headgear, collided with Virgil van Dijk, but VAR could not intervene as no foul was deemed to have occurred.
Liverpool fought back valiantly, with Cody Gakpo equalizing in the 78th minute after tipping home a low cross from Federico Chiesa. The Dutchman had earlier struck the post three times, showcasing his determination to find the net. Mohamed Salah, who has been out of form, missed several golden opportunities, adding to Liverpool's frustration.
Manchester United, however, held firm and capitalized on a moment of magic from Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder delivered a pinpoint cross that Maguire headed home, securing the three points for the visitors. United could have taken an early lead had Fernandes not squandered a clear chance in the first half.
Liverpool's efforts to rally in the closing stages were thwarted by a series of missed opportunities. Gakpo, in particular, spurned a glorious chance to level the scores, heading wide from Jeremie Frimpong's cross when it seemed easier to score. The defeat marks Liverpool's fourth consecutive loss, the first time they have suffered such a run since 2014.
The victory is a significant milestone for Manchester United, who have now won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time under manager Ruben Amorim. The win moves them to within two points of Liverpool in the table, with the champions trailing leaders Arsenal by four points.
In the aftermath of the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot reflected on the individual performances, noting that while Mohamed Salah missed crucial chances, the team as a whole had ample opportunities to secure a win. "We had more than enough chances to score," Slot said. "Mo missed a big one, some others missed big chances. We are not used to this."
Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United manager, praised his team's resilience and fight. "It means a lot today," he said. "We fought for every ball. In key points we had some luck, but we fought for every ball."
The dramatic encounter at Anfield underscored the intense rivalry between the two clubs and set the stage for an exciting season ahead in the Premier League.
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