Manchester United had bad memories of Anfield, but Erik ten Hag’s side returned to the scene of the crime last season and defeated Liverpool in an unexpected show of defiance. Jürgen Klopp loathed the pre-match expectations of another Liverpool landslide, and he’ll have despised the outcome even more.
A tenacious United performance in front of Anfield’s greatest crowd in over a half-century interrupted Liverpool’s record of 11 consecutive home wins this season. The additional 7,000 seats in the upper tier of the new Anfield Road stand only added to the frustration of home fans as Klopp’s side squandered a chance to recapture the Premier League title. Diogo Dalot was sent off in the 94th minute after two outrageous displays of dissent in quick succession, but Liverpool lacked the poise or time to inflict further damage on their archrivals.
The 212th meeting between the rivals may have stretched Liverpool’s unbeaten streak to eight games, but it was Ten Hag who earned the battle he desperately needed after exiting the Champions League in midweek.
The United manager was hampered by an injury list that included three central defenders – Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martnez, and Victor Lindelöf – as well as Bruno Fernandes’ ban and Anthony Martial’s illness. Nonetheless, United’s erratic starting lineup and inexperience on the bench underscored how inadequately the club had recruited at such a great cost in recent years. The visitors may consider it a victory to reach halftime with the game still scoreless.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had promised to “go for them” in an attempt to capitalize on any lingering worries from last season’s 7-0 defeat. He wasn’t being truthful. Liverpool won the game’s first corner after 26 seconds. The home crowd exploded as Ryan Gravenberch forced Sofyan Amrabat into a United corner and won possession shortly later. United’s center-forward Rasmus Hjlund was supporting Luke Shaw at left-back long before he made his presence felt in the Liverpool half.
Michael Oliver shows Diogo Dalot the red card.
The home team generated constant pressure from the opening, forcing United into desperate defensive efforts, but too many wayward last balls allowed the visitors to ride the storm in the first half. After mishandling a Gravenberch header under pressure to Mohamed Salah and scrambling to deflect his scrambled attempt wide, André Onana was only seriously tested by Virgil van Dijk’s header from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner. The United goalie tipped over a close-range shot. Onana’s greatest contribution as he played with his feet was the palpitations of the onlookers.
Darwin Nez’s first booking of the game exemplified Liverpool’s lack of composure in the first half. When chasing a long ball out of defense, the Uruguay international placed his arm into Jonny Evans’ chest and was booked for kicking the ball away after a clear free kick had been awarded. He then fiercely applauded the assistant referee. The foul against Evans was more deserving of a yellow card than the violation for which Nez was chastised.
United used the counterattack to hurt Liverpool. They could have won if their front line had more talent, confidence, and intelligence, particularly in the second half when the visitors had ample chances to expose Liverpool’s defense.