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Harry Maguire stunned Liverpool as his 84th-minute header secured Manchester United’s first win at Anfield since 2016, condemning the hosts to a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat.
Maguire powered in Bruno Fernandes’s cross just six minutes after Cody Gakpo had cancelled out a controversial opening goal from Bryan Mbeumo, scored only 61 seconds into the match.
According to Sky News, Mbeumo beat Giorgi Mamardashvili from Amad Diallo’s pass, leaving Anfield shellshocked. Liverpool were furious that play continued despite Alexis Mac Allister sustaining a head injury after colliding with Virgil van Dijk. Mac Allister received treatment and returned wearing protective headgear, but VAR could not intervene as no foul was committed.
Premier League guidance confirmed referee Michael Oliver did not see the injury and therefore did not stop play.
The dramatic start set the tone for a pulsating encounter. Manchester United initially resisted Liverpool’s efforts to equalise, aided by some luck, before Gakpo struck the post three times and finally scored from substitute Federico Chiesa’s low cross.
Mohamed Salah, struggling for form, missed two gilt-edged chances, but Liverpool seemed poised to find a winner before Maguire’s late header sparked jubilant celebrations from Manchester United.
Fernandes had an earlier chance to extend the lead but fired wide.
Liverpool pressed in the closing stages, but Gakpo missed a gilt-edged opportunity, heading wide from Jeremie Frimpong’s cross.
The result means Liverpool have now lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2014, following defeats to Chelsea, Galatasaray, and Crystal Palace.
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