Man United’s win at Anfield on Sunday was the best of the Ruben Amorim era, and it also marked Liverpool’s fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
— Ruben Amorim tasted back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time as Manchester United manager after Harry Maguire’s late headed goal sealed a 2-1 win at Anfield that plunges Liverpool into crisis after a fourth straight loss in all competitions.
Bryan Mbeumo’s second-minute goal had given United a dream start until Cody Gakpo, having twice struck the post, leveled for Liverpool in the 78th minute. But United defender Maguire capped a majestic display at the back by heading into the Liverpool net in the 84th minute to score United’s first winning goal at Anfield since Wayne Rooney’s strike in a 1-0 victory in January 2016.
United climb to within two points of fourth-placed Liverpool, who face Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday aiming to avoid a fifth successive defeat. — Mark Ogden
Amorim has endured an 11-month nightmare as Manchester United head coach since leaving Sporting CP to take charge at Old Trafford last November. The Portuguese has suffered defeat in the UEFA Europa League final, guided United to their worst-ever Premier League finish and seen his job prospects questioned for months.
But this win at Anfield could, and should, be his big breakthrough moment at United. By winning away from home against the champions, Amorim has claimed the biggest possible result for his team.
It is the first time his side have won back-to-back Premier League games and put them within two points of the top four. And while the result will be everything to Amorim, United’s performance was also hugely significant as it was the best his side has produced since he took charge.
United were organized and convincing in defense, Casemiro’s experience shone in midfield and they carried threat up front with Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount. Too often under Amorim, United have collapsed under the minimum of pressure from the opposition, but they withstood an Anfield onslaught in the second half.
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This win will give Amorim and his players the confidence that they have lacked and the knowledge that they now have the opportunity to go on a winning run, with games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur to come before the November international break. — Ogden
When does a slump become a crisis? Judging by the beleaguered looks on the faces of Liverpool players at the full-time whistle, this might just be the day.
