Arne Slot Reacts: “He Truly Shocked Me”
In a heartfelt post-match interview following Liverpool’s 2–1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield, manager Arne Slot made an unexpectedly honest admission that has quickly grabbed headlines across the football world.
Despite Liverpool controlling much of the game, Slot confessed that one United player — Matheus Cunha — delivered a display so remarkable that even he, as the opposing coach, couldn’t help but admire it.
Slot, usually calm and calculated, didn’t hold back:
“My players gave everything tonight, but one Manchester United player completely surprised me. It was one of the most stunning individual performances I’ve ever witnessed — especially here at Anfield, where most players struggle.”
He went on to add, with clear admiration:
“He made life very difficult for us. His composure, movement, decision-making, and control were outstanding. That wasn’t luck — that was real quality.”
The Match: Rivalry Reignited
Whenever Liverpool and Manchester United meet, fireworks are guaranteed — and this clash lived up to the billing.
United edged out a 2–1 win thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, while Liverpool’s late push fell short.
Yet amid all the drama and intensity, Matheus Cunha stole the spotlight.
Brought in over the summer under new boss Ruben Amorim, Cunha has been gradually settling into his role. But few could have predicted such a commanding performance in one of football’s most hostile environments — Anfield.
Cunha’s Display: Energy, Intelligence, and Fearlessness
From the opening whistle, Cunha made his presence felt.
Deployed as a false nine, he constantly disrupted Liverpool’s defensive setup, dragging Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté out of position. His relentless pressing forced errors, while his link-up play with Rashford and Fernandes was simply brilliant.
Cunha completed 91% of his passes, created two clear chances, and won eight duels — an exceptional return against a side known for their pressing game.
His clever movement also created space for Fernandes’ goal, while his tireless work off the ball helped United retain structure when Liverpool tried to counterattack.
Arne Slot’s Full Praise
Slot went on to elaborate on just how disruptive Cunha’s performance had been:
“We prepared for Rashford, we prepared for Fernandes — but Cunha caught us off guard. His work rate was unbelievable. Every time we tried to build from the back, he was there. Every time we thought he was out of the game, he reappeared.”
He added:
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that level of hunger from a forward here. Even some of our supporters acknowledged it — you could see sections of the crowd applauding him after the final whistle. That says it all.”
Fans Show Respect at Anfield
Perhaps most surprising was the reaction from the Liverpool faithful. Despite the disappointment of defeat, parts of the Anfield crowd reportedly stood to applaud Cunha as he left the pitch — a rare show of respect in one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
Online, fans from both sides echoed the sentiment:
Liverpool fans said:
- “You don’t often see us clapping a United player, but Cunha earned it. He was brilliant.”
- “He tore our defense apart. Fair play to him.”
Manchester United fans added:
- “Cunha has arrived! Amorim’s vision is coming to life — power, intelligence, and composure. What a display!”
Amorim’s Reaction in the Dressing Room
After the match, Ruben Amorim was full of praise for his forward, calling it Cunha’s “breakthrough performance” in a United shirt.
“He’s worked hard and stayed patient, and tonight showed exactly why we believed in him. His mindset is top-level, and he’s adapting quickly to the Premier League.”
Amorim hinted that Cunha’s showing could earn him a more prominent role moving forward, noting his tactical flexibility:
“He’s not just a striker — he’s a thinker. He reads the game, moves intelligently, and sacrifices himself for the team. That’s exactly what we need at Manchester United.”
Pundits and Analysts Weigh In
Former United star Robin van Persie, speaking on Premier League Productions, applauded Cunha’s maturity and intelligence:
“That was a complete centre-forward performance. He made the team tick — that’s elite-level understanding of the game.”
Even Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher admitted on Sky Sports that Cunha was the difference-maker:
“Everyone expected Rashford or Fernandes to be the threat, but Cunha was the one who hurt Liverpool. His movement, awareness, and confidence were exceptional.”
A Rivalry Moment to Remember
Liverpool versus Manchester United has produced countless iconic moments — and this will go down as the night Matheus Cunha silenced Anfield through sheer brilliance and determination.
It’s not often an away player earns applause from the Anfield faithful, but Cunha did exactly that.
Even Arne Slot — known for his discipline and attention to detail — couldn’t hide his admiration.
“Sometimes, as a manager, you just have to respect true quality,” Slot concluded. “Tonight, it came from a Manchester United player — and he fully deserved the applause.”
Conclusion: A Defining Performance
Cunha’s display wasn’t just impressive — it was a statement.
Under immense pressure, on one of the world’s biggest stages, he showed confidence, intelligence, and heart.
If this is the beginning of Amorim’s new era at Manchester United, this game might be remembered as the night Cunha announced himself to the Premier League — and even won over the Anfield crowd.
Even Liverpool fans stood and applauded him at full time.
