Manchester United had horrible recent memories at Anfield, but Erik ten Hag’s side returned to the site of last season’s crime to defeat Liverpool in an unexpected show of defiance. Jürgen Klopp despised the pre-match predictions of another Liverpool landslide; he’ll have despised the final result even more.

Liverpool’s record of 11 consecutive home wins this season was ended by a tenacious United performance in front of Anfield’s largest crowd in over a half-century. The additional 7,000 seats in the upper tier of the new Anfield Road stand only added to the anguish of the home supporters as Klopp’s side blew the chance to reclaim the Premier League title. Diogo Dalot was sent off in the 94th minute for two ridiculous displays of dissent in rapid succession, but Liverpool lacked the composure or time to inflict more pain on their archrivals.

The 212th encounter between the teams may have extended Liverpool’s unbeaten streak to eight games, but it was Ten Hag, under pressure and requiring a reaction after exiting the Champions League in midweek, who received the fight that he desperately needed.

The United boss was hampered by an injury list that comprised three central defenders – Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martnez, and Victor Lindelöf – as well as the suspension of Bruno Fernandes and the illness of Anthony Martial. Nonetheless, the haphazard style of United’s starting lineup and inexperience on the bench highlighted how poorly the club had recruited at such expense in recent years. The visitors may consider it an accomplishment to reach halftime with the game scoreless.

Klopp had promised Liverpool would “go for them” in an attempt to capitalize on any lingering fears from last season’s 7-0 thrashing. He wasn’t telling the truth. After 26 seconds, Liverpool won the game’s first corner. When Ryan Gravenberch forced Sofyan Amrabat into a United corner and won possession moments later, the home crowd erupted. Rasmus Hjlund, United’s center-forward, was assisting Luke Shaw at left-back long before he made his presence felt in the Liverpool half.

Diogo Dalot is shown the red card by Michael Oliver.

The home side applied persistent pressure, forcing United into desperate defensive efforts from the start, but too many errant last balls allowed the visitors to ride the storm in the first half. André Onana was only severely tested by Virgil van Dijk’s header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner after fumbling a Gravenberch header under pressure to Mohamed Salah and scrambling to turn his scrambled attempt wide. From close range, the United goalkeeper tipped over. When he played out with his feet, Onana’s main contribution was to the palpitations of the away spectators.

The first booking of the game for Darwin Nez epitomized Liverpool’s lack of composure in the first half. When pursuing a long ball out of defense, the Uruguay international put his arm into Jonny Evans’ chest and was booked for kicking the ball away after a clear free-kick was awarded. He then praised the assistant referee harshly. The foul on Evans deserved a yellow card more than the offense for which Nez was admonished.

To damage Liverpool, United relied on the counterattack. They might have succeeded if their front line had more talent, confidence, and intelligence, especially in the second half when the visitors had enough opportunities to expose Liverpool’s defense.