Maguire decides in the 84th minute: fourth defeat in a row for the Reds, first defeat since 2016 and renewed confidence for the Red Devils
Liverpool are officially in crisis. Manchester United tries to build yet another attempt at rebirth with the most important result of the Ruben Amorim era. This is the verdict of the 2-1 that the Red Devils snatched at Anfield, at the end of a splendid match that United won with a header from Harry Maguire in the 84th minute (here is the table). It was since 2016 that the Red Devils had not won in the den of the team with which they share the record of championships won, 20: this result adds enormous confidence to a group always in the spotlight, which for the first time in the Amorim era has won two games in a row in the Premier League. It is also a first for Liverpool: 4 defeats in a row in all competitions with this one, in which the Reds would have deserved at least a draw, and the first time in Slot’s career as manager with such an important negative series, which risks leaving its mark, because Liverpool’s problems increase instead of decreasing. In the other match of the day, Aston Villa achieved their third victory in a row by passing 2-1 at Tottenham, ahead first with Bentancur. Emery’s team has 12 points, Spurs are stuck on 14 with their first defeat after 4 useful results.
THE KEYS
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It’s been a long time since United played with such determination. He struck after 62 seconds with Bryan Mbeumo, reacted with personality like Cody Gakpo and almost immediately found the new advantage with Maguire. The Red Devils created and wasted, defended and attacked, but they always seemed perfectly inside the game, never crushed even though Liverpool controlled the game for most of the time. This victory, the second in a row, brings them to 13 points in the standings, -2 behind Liverpool who only a few weeks ago seemed impregnable, on another planet compared to United. The Reds, on the other hand, have returned to earth in the worst way, with Slot who has an obvious Mo Salah problem (his condition worsens instead of improving), he burned Hugo Ekitké, who had also been fantastic in August, to facilitate the insertion of Alexander Isak and he still doesn’t seem to know what to do with Florian Wirtz, the second most expensive signing in the history of the Premier League who once again started from the bench. The defense continues to be a problem: this time it was Virgil Van Dijk who performed much less than his usual level. With a calendar that offers no respite (Wednesday away match in the Champions League in Frankfurt) and some important injuries (Gravenberch, the only irreplaceable player in the middle of the pitch, left after an hour with a possible sprain of his right ankle), Slot will have to patch things up quickly and understand what’s wrong, because his Liverpool are taking worrying steps backwards, instead of steps forward.
THE MATCH
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United immediately sting with Mbeumo who, launched by Diallo, slips past Van Dijk and the Liverpool defense and passes Mamardashvili. The result was a brilliant match, with the Reds’ reaction blocked twice by the post (again with Gakpo) and United creating enough chances (the most delicious with Fernandes in the 24th minute) to think they deserved a 2-0 at half-time, rather than a single goal lead. Gakpo increased their score to three at the start of the second half and shortly after the hour mark Slot risked a 4-2-4 with Ekitiké and Isak together in attack, Szoboszlai at right back and Wirtz with Jones in midfield. In the 72nd minute Chiesa also entered and had a hand in the equalizer, finding Gakpo in the center of the area for an easy deflection. United did not lose courage and regained the lead in the 84th minute with Maguire, who headed home a good cross from Fernandes. Liverpool attacks until the end, but the 2-1 United never changes again.
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