Manchester United secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, ending a nine-year winless streak there in the Premier League. Bryan Mbuemo gave United an early lead, Cody Gakpo equalized for the hosts, but Harry Maguire's late header clinched the points. The result marks Liverpool's fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions.
The Premier League clash at Anfield kicked off at 16:30 BST on October 19, 2025, with Manchester United striking first just one minute in. Amad Diallo received a pass from Bruno Fernandes and slotted Bryan Mbuemo through on goal, where the Cameroonian tucked the ball under the goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead. This was only the second time a goal had been scored within the opening two minutes of a Liverpool vs. Manchester United Premier League match, the first being Nicky Butt's effort in 1995.
Liverpool dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create clear chances. Cody Gakpo hit the post with a curling right-footed strike around the 20-minute mark and also struck the bar with a wayward cross, becoming the seventh player in Premier League history to hit the woodwork three or more times in a single match. An incident marred the buildup to United's opener when Alexis Mac Allister suffered a head injury in a collision with Bryan Mbuemo and Virgil van Dijk, but play continued without interruption, leading to controversy as Mac Allister received treatment afterward and donned protective headgear.
At halftime, the score remained 0-1 to United, their first lead at Anfield since 2014/15. In the second half, Liverpool equalized when substitute Federico Chiesa drilled a low ball across the box for Gakpo to smash home from close range, marking his third Premier League goal in starts against United at Anfield. However, momentum shifted in the 84th minute as Bruno Fernandes delivered a superb volleyed cross, which Harry Maguire headed in at the back post for a 2-1 lead.
Despite eight added minutes, United held firm, with Maguire's goal silencing the crowd. This victory moves Manchester United to ninth in the table, two points behind Liverpool, who drop to fourth. It is United's first Premier League win at Anfield since 2016 and continues Maguire's trend of clutch goals, his sixth since last season in critical moments.