LIVERPOOL 1-2 MAN UTD: Harry Maguire was the hero as Ruben Amorim finally clinched successive Premier League wins on a huge afternoon for the Manchester United manager
The last place Ruben Amorim probably expected to banish his most unwanted record was Anfield.
But, sure enough, it says everything about the current state of Liverpool’s form that Amorim finally won back-to-back Premier League games 11 months into his reign as Manchester United manager. Incredibly, Liverpool have now lost four games in a row for the first time since November 2014 and the alarm bells are ringing loud and clear for Arne Slot.
Liverpool, the reigning champions, are just not right. They are just not clicking and, despite such a promising start, their raft of new signings do not look like a team.
Slot’s defence looked wide open and Harry Maguire was given so much space to head home the dramatic 84th minute winner. Maguire had been an absolute rock at the heart of United’s defence all afternoon and no-one deserved it more than him. Maguire ran over to the away end, spread his arms open wide and just breathed in the moment in pure celebration.
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Let’s be clear: Liverpool wasted so many chances. They will be kicking themselves. But United fought so hard and victories are rarely sweeter than against their great rivals.
And the manner of victory probably made it even sweeter because United had led so long through Bryan Mbeumo’s controversial opener, Cody Gakpo equalised with 12 minutes left and normally, from there, Liverpool kick on and win games.
But this feels like a long way from last season. Alexander Isak was subbed again and the £125m striker looks a long way off. Milos Kerkez is another new boy who is struggling. They are just not on the same wavelength.
United, meanwhile, fought, scrapped and no wonder the away end was jubilant at the final whistle. The army of white United shirts went to the away end and celebrated an incredible moment.
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They still look a long way from the finished article but Mbeumo scored, Matheus Cunha was sensational, tenacious and so dangerous. Maguire led the United rearguard; they appear to have found themselves a proper keeper in Senne Lammens.
You have to admire the way United fans have never given up singing Amorim’s name and how he is going to fix their club. Well, wins like these will live long in the memory.
It all started after just one minute. Virgil van Dijk caught Alexis Mac Allister with an elbow in the back of the head, the Liverpool midfielder crashed to the floor and United just played on. Bruno Fernandes swept the ball wide to Amad Diallo and his slick pass played in Bryan Mbeumo whose shot almost went through Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Liverpool were fuming and claimed play should have been stopped because of a head injury. VAR could not intervene as it was not a foul. But the ball was in the net within three seconds of the Mac Allister injury. It was referee Michael Oliver’s call and he did not stop it.
United could have actually gone further ahead but Fernandes hit the outside of the post. Gakpo hit the post an incredible three times. Liverpool had so many missed chances.
Slot rang the changes. Hugo Ekitike was lively and Federico Chiesa always makes a difference. It was Chiesa’s low cross and Gakpo smashed it in to level it up. Six minutes later, Fernandes’ cross found Maguire at the back post and he headed in. Still there was more drama as Gakpo missed an absolute sitter as he planted a header wide of the target.
That was the story of Liverpool’s day. And the glory was all United’s.
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