Manchester United defeated Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in what was an intense encounter.
In addition to being United’s first win at Anfield since 2016, the match also marked the first time that Man United manager Ruben Amorim has been able to lead his team to back-to-back wins in the Premier League.
First half
With less than two minutes on the clock, United were off to a dream start. Despite clashing with both Virgil van Dijk and Alexis MacAllister when leaping up for a header, Bryan Mbeumo picked himself up and burst forward, getting on the end of a through ball from Amad Diallo, which he slotted into the net from a tight right angle. Manager Ruben Amorim would have surely been delighted with his team’s alertness so early in the match.
Five minutes in, Cody Gakpo put a through ball into the box in an attempt to get Liverpool back into the game, only for Harry Maguire to clear his ball out of danger.
Liverpool were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, although Mohamed Salah’s cross to van Dijk yielded no fruit as the defender headed his effort well wide.
In the 20th minute, Gakpo was in on goal, catching the United defence off guard. He curled his shot past Senne Lammens, only for the ball to reverberate off the far post. A moment of luck for United.
United almost had the perfect reply when Bruno Fernandes received a ball on the edge of the box from Amad. The United skipper took a shot with his first touch, belting the ball onto the outside of the post, where it flew out for a goal kick.
Suddenly, the intensity of the match seemed to have been turned up a notch.
Mason Mount took a threatening shot from outside the box to force a parry from the goalkeeper. It was an encouraging display from United, who were clearly intent on extending their lead in order to put some space between themselves and their opponents.
In the 35th minute, Isak came close to scoring when he took a close-range shot that Lammens did brilliantly to save with his leg.
Even with four minutes of stoppage time, Liverpool were unable to break United down.
While United produced a decent defensive performance, they surely would have been plotting to find another goal in the second half so as to create some breathing space with their fierce rivals.
Second half
Connor Bradley almost levelled the scoreline when his shot hit the upright just minutes after the restart. United needed to maintain their concentration in order to avoid conceding.
Amad received a yellow card in the 52nd minute for a rough follow-through when he tackled Gakpo.
Just five minutes later, Casemiro picked up a booking due to a cynical challenge on Salah.
With little over 32 minutes to play, Amorim took off Amad Diallo and Casemiro for Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte.
Barely a few minutes later, Benjamin Sesko came on for Mount, providing United with some additional firepower up front.
In the 65th minute, United grabbed a crucial corner kick. Maguire got on the end of Fernandes’ cross, only for the defence to clear the ball.
With just 13 minutes left on the clock, Liverpool equalised. Federico Chiesa sprinted into the box, putting in a ball from the left that drifted past the keeper into the path of Gakpo, who belted the ball into an empty net. The goal was hardly a surprise given United’s lack of intention to attack over the past few minutes.
Then, in the 84th minute, it all changed. Harry Maguire emerged as United’s hero, getting himself into the box to head a Fernandes cross into the back of the net. While Mbeumo’s initial shot was blocked, Maguire did well to track the ball’s movement, remaining in the box to collect the impending cross. Excellent play from the veteran centre-back.
With just over five minutes to play, Amorim made the bold decision to take off Fernandes and Luke Shaw for Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro.
Barely a minute later, United’s hearts were in their chest when Jeremie Frimpong found Gakpo in the centre of United’s box. Gakpo’s header strayed wide, allowing United to breathe a massive sigh of relief.
Eight minutes of added time were announced, leaving United with a long period in which to defend their lead.
Frimpong sprinted down the right flank, with Patrick Dorgu responded strongly by jostling him off the ball. Ultimately, the Liverpool winger was flagged offside.
The hosts continued to dominate possession, although Amorim’s substitutes, such as Mainoo, remained resolute, using their energy to prevent their opponents from closing in on goal.
Despite the pressure, United remained composed, refusing to allow Liverpool to cruise into their final third, even with their dominance in possession.
Kerkez thumped a threatening ball into the box, only for Ugarte bravely sliding in to clear the ball out of danger.
Soon enough, the referee blew the whistle for full-time, handing United a sweet win away from home against their most bitter rivals.
It was a phenomenal win for United, who finally seem to have hit the ground running this season.
Starting XI: Lammens, Dalot, De Ligt, Maguire, Mount, Fernandes, Cunha, Amad, Casemiro, Mbeumo, Shaw
Subs: Dorgu, Ugarte, Sesko, Mainoo, Yoro
Featured image Michael Reagan via Getty Images
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Mathew Cohen
A faithful Manchester United supporter, Mathew has worked as a football writer and analyst for SB Nation, FanSided, and now The Peoples Person. Mathew’s heroes include David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sir Alex Ferguson, all of whom played their part in creating some special childhood memories.
