Man Utd break Anfield curse with Maguire’s late winner
Harry Maguire’s late header secured Manchester United’s first win at Anfield in nearly a decade, handing Liverpool their fourth successive defeat.
Cody Gakpo’s strike with 12 minutes remaining looked set to end Liverpool’s losing streak, only for Maguire to head beyond goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili six minutes from time.
Gakpo had earlier hit the woodwork three times before finally scoring from close range, but Ruben Amorim’s side continued to press forward, with Maguire providing a dramatic finale.
United stunned Liverpool by taking the lead inside two minutes, though the goal was surrounded by controversy as referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue despite Alexis Mac Allister lying on the pitch with a head injury after an accidental clash with team-mate Virgil van Dijk.
Bryan Mbeumo made the most of the situation, finishing past Mamardashvili, who was deputising for the injured Alisson.
In a thrilling end-to-end encounter, United captain Bruno Fernandes squandered a chance to double the lead, shooting wide with the goal at his mercy. Liverpool’s misfortune was summed up by Gakpo hitting the woodwork twice before the break and once more in the second half in front of The Kop. The Dutchman also headed wide late on when he looked certain to equalise for a second time.
United’s new Belgian goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, also impressed with a crucial save from Alexander Isak when the striker broke clear.
The second half was action-packed, and Maguire’s decisive header sealed United’s first win at Anfield since January 2016. Liverpool, meanwhile, have now suffered four straight defeats for the first time since November 2014 under Brendan Rodgers.
