Late Maguire Header Sinks Liverpool as United End Anfield Hoodoo
Liverpool, October 19, 2025 – For the first time in more than a decade, Manchester United triumphed at Anfield, snatching a 2–1 win thanks to Harry Maguire’s late header, which deepened Liverpool’s ongoing slump.
The defeat marked Liverpool’s fourth straight loss in all competitions—their worst run since 2014—and extended a miserable spell for Arne Slot’s reigning Premier League champions.
United made the perfect start when Bryan Mbeumo struck within the opening minute, capitalizing on confusion following a clash that left Alexis Mac Allister briefly down injured after colliding with Virgil van Dijk’s elbow. Despite Liverpool protests, play continued, and the visitors led for much of the contest.
Liverpool eventually equalized in the second half through Cody Gakpo, who had already struck the woodwork three times before finally converting a close-range effort. But just when a comeback seemed inevitable, Maguire rose highest to nod home the decisive goal, sealing United’s first win at Anfield since 2014.
With Arsenal’s victory over Fulham the previous day, Liverpool now sit four points behind the Gunners at the Premier League summit.
Liverpool Player Ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK – Giorgi Mamardashvili (5.4): Shaky from the start and never truly settled after conceding early.
RB – Conor Bradley (6.5): Lacked his usual attacking drive; substituted on the hour.
CB – Ibrahima Konaté (6.9): A strong showing after recent poor form; his recovery pace limited United’s counters.
CB – Virgil van Dijk (7.5): Commanding in parts but guilty of lapses, including the accidental blow to Mac Allister.
LB – Milos Kerkez (6.3): Struggled to make use of the space United’s shape left open.
CM – Ryan Gravenberch (6.5): Looked off the pace after returning from injury and lasted just an hour.
CM – Alexis Mac Allister (5.8): A difficult afternoon after the early head knock; showed flashes of control but little end product.
AM – Dominik Szoboszlai (7.5): Energetic and industrious, though his final pass lacked bite.
RW – Mohamed Salah (6.3): Another frustrating outing; wasteful and withdrawn as Liverpool chased the game.
ST – Alexander Isak (6.3): Still searching for his first league goal in red; missed a big chance in the first half.
LW – Cody Gakpo (8.3): Liverpool’s brightest spark, finally scoring after a trio of near misses.
Substitutes:
Florian Wirtz (61’) – 6.6
Hugo Ekitiké (61’) – 6.0
Curtis Jones (62’) – 6.7
Federico Chiesa (72’) – 7.1
Jeremie Frimpong (86’) – N/A
Subs not used: Woodman, Gomez, Robertson, Ngumoha.
Manchester United (3-4-2-1)
Starting XI: Senne Lammens; Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot; Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha.
Subs used: Ugarte, Dorgu, Šeško, Yoro, Mainoo.
Player of the Match: Senne Lammens (Man Utd)
Match Recap
Liverpool entered the fixture desperate to rediscover form after three straight losses. But Rúben Amorim’s revitalized United had other plans, carrying the confidence from their solid win over Sunderland into Anfield.
Mbeumo’s early strike silenced the Kop and unsettled Slot’s men. The Reds struggled to impose themselves against United’s disciplined, fluid system. The visitors’ pressing and compact defense forced Van Dijk and his back line into repeated errors.
Before the break, both teams traded chances—Bruno Fernandes should have doubled United’s lead, while Gakpo and Isak both went close.
Slot’s second-half changes—introducing Wirtz, Ekitiké, and Jones—gave Liverpool more energy. Salah squandered a golden chance before Gakpo finally brought them level, setting up a tense finale.
But United struck the final blow. From a late corner, Maguire powered home a header that deflected off the post and in. Gakpo missed a gilt-edged chance to equalize again in stoppage time, heading wide from Frimpong’s cross, as United held on for a famous victory.
Key Stats
| Statistic | Liverpool | Man Utd |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 63% | 37% |
| xG | 2.76 | 1.26 |
| Total Shots | 19 | 12 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 4 |
| Big Chances | 5 | 5 |
| Pass Accuracy | 86% | 68% |
| Fouls | 8 | 14 |
| Corners | 9 | 4 |
United’s win snapped their 10-year Anfield curse and plunged Liverpool deeper into crisis. With pressure mounting on Arne Slot, the Reds will need a swift response to revive their title defense and rediscover the spark that made them champions.
