De Ligt Explains How United Exploited Liverpoolβs Weaknesses in 2β1 Anfield Win
Liverpool, October 19, 2025 β Matthijs de Ligt has revealed the tactical plan behind Manchester Unitedβs stunning 2β1 victory at Anfield on Sunday, a result that ended Liverpoolβs four-match losing streak and gave United their first Premier League win over the Reds since 2022. Harry Maguireβs late header sealed the three points, moving United to 13 points, just two behind Liverpool.
The game burst into life within the opening minutes when Bryan Mbeumo scored in under two minutes, shocking the Anfield faithful. Liverpool pressed hard, hitting the woodwork three times before Cody Gakpo finally equalized. But Maguireβs towering header in the dying minutes snatched the win and silenced the home crowd.
π Stat to note: Liverpool have now suffered four consecutive defeats in all competitionsβtheir worst run since 2014.
De Ligt Reveals Unitedβs Tactical Edge
After the match, the Dutch defender explained that Unitedβs plan centered on Liverpoolβs full-backs, a weak point in Arne Slotβs setup:
βWe knew where their weaknesses wereβthe full-backs. We stayed focused and exploited those spaces. Games like this are all about concentration.β
The comments underline the struggles of Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley, who were repeatedly exposed on the flanks. Pundit Jamie Redknapp described Kerkez as looking βlike a nervous wreck,β while Bradley failed to win any aerial duels and squandered several attacking opportunities.
Defensive Numbers Tell the Story
| Player | Tackles (Won) | Interceptions | Clearances | Ground Duels (Won) | Aerial Duels (Won) | Possession Lost | Errors Leading to Shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conor Bradley | 1 (1) | 0 | 1 | 4 (3) | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Milos Kerkez | 1 (1) | 1 | 3 | 4 (3) | 1 (1) | 15 | 1 |
Whatβs Next for Liverpool?
With Champions League action against Frankfurt coming midweek, Slot faces urgent decisions. If Liverpool do not tighten their defensive flanks, this season could quickly spiral into another crisis.
