Manchester United Shock Liverpool with a Fourth Consecutive Defeat

Manchester United deepened the misery of rivals Liverpool, handing them a fourth straight defeat with a 2-1 victory at Anfield in Match week 8 of the Premier League.

This marked United’s first win at Anfield against the English champions since January 17, 2016, in what was the 100th derby on this stadium. The “Red Devils” earned their 27th win in this fixture at Anfield, compared to 48 defeats and 26 draws.

The loss dropped Liverpool to fourth place with 15 points, while United claimed their second consecutive win and fourth of the season, lifting them to ninth with 13 points. It was also the first time Portuguese manager Rúben Amorim managed back-to-back league wins since his appointment 11 months ago in November 2024.

By contrast, his Dutch counterpart Arne Slot suffered three straight league defeats for the first time since taking charge of the “Reds.”

Match Highlights

United wasted no time, taking the lead after just 66 seconds when Cameroonian forward Bryan Mbeumo finished a move initiated by Ivorian Amad Diallo inside the box. His right-footed shot was initially parried by Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili but bounced into the net, marking the fastest goal in the history of the fixture at Anfield.

In the 21st minute, Liverpool were denied an equalizer when Cody Gakpo’s shot struck the left post, and minutes later Bruno Fernandes saw his powerful effort crash off the same upright (24).

The woodwork again frustrated Liverpool when another Gakpo cross from the left was deflected onto the post (33), before Mohamed Salah’s close-range header was smothered by Belgian keeper Senne Lammens (33).

Liverpool’s efforts were denied once again early in the second half when Gakpo’s fierce close-range shot hit the post (50). The Dutchman finally found the net when he pounced on a rebound from Federico Chiesa’s shot to level the score (78).

But it was England defender Harry Maguire who stole the spotlight, restoring United’s lead with a close-range header from a Fernandes cross (84). Just three minutes later, Gakpo squandered a golden chance to equalize when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy (87).

Elsewhere, Aston Villa continued their resurgence with a 2-1 win away at Tottenham, securing a third straight victory. Spurs, meanwhile, suffered their second defeat of the season, leaving them on 14 points in sixth place — level on points but behind Chelsea on goal difference after the Blues’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.