By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
Manchester United secured a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield, ending a significant drought and moving within two points of the Premier League champions. The win marks United’s first away triumph over Liverpool since January 2016, snapping a nine-match winless run on their ground.
United, managed by Ruben Amorim, defied the odds, having failed to win their previous eight Premier League away games. They got off to a dream start, taking the lead after just 62 seconds. Bruno Fernandes played the ball out to Amad Diallo, whose square ball found *Bryan Mbeumo. The Ivorian slotted past Giorgi Mamardashvili for the second-earliest goal in this fixture’s PL history. The goal was controversial, as Liverpool were incensed that the referee did not stop play after Virgil van Dijk collided into Alexis Mac Allister, who was down with a head injury.
Liverpool initially struggled but grew into the contest. They were denied by the woodwork in the 21st minute after Cody Gakpo curled a shot off the far post. United also missed a glorious chance to double their lead when Amad’s square ball found Fernandes on the edge of the box, but the Portuguese maestro struck the post. The home side appeared shaky at the back, conceding chances, including Mbeumo being denied by Mamardashvili, who then saved from Mason Mount’s follow-up. Gakpo again saw a cross deflected onto the woodwork, and Alexander Isak was denied by a strong save from Senne Lammens’ feet, ensuring Amorim’s side led at the break.
Liverpool flew out of the traps in the second half and were immediately denied by the woodwork again. Mohamed Salah’s floated ball to the far post found Gakpo, who composed himself before whipping a shot towards the far corner, but the Dutchman’s effort crashed off the post once more.
Both Amorim and Arne Slot made triple changes around the hour mark, transforming the game into an end-to-end affair with Liverpool pushing men forward. Their attacking approach eventually paid off. After Salah failed to steer an effort on target, Federico Chiesa’s ball across the face of goal was turned in by Cody Gakpo for the equalizer.
Anfield erupted, but United struck back in the 84th minute. Fernandes’ cross into the box was headed home by Harry Maguire. As expected, Liverpool threw everything forward, but the Red Devils defended superbly to secure their first set of back-to-back Premier League wins under Amorim.
The 2-1 defeat condemns Liverpool to a fourth consecutive loss in all competitions and a third straight loss in the Premier League.
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