There was something poetic about it — Sir Alex Ferguson standing in the Main Stand at Anfield, smiling broadly as Manchester United led Liverpool at half-time.
The legendary former manager hasn’t had many reasons to grin on Merseyside in the past decade, but this time was different.
Holding a bag of chocolates, he even offered one to Sir Kenny Dalglish beside him — two old rivals sharing a surprisingly warm moment amid a fierce football rivalry.
That image perfectly summed up the mood of the afternoon — a windswept, emotional day by the River Mersey where United rediscovered a spark of their old glory.
For the first time in nearly ten years, they walked off Anfield’s pitch victorious.
Harry Maguire’s Redemption Moment
And what a story it was. Harry Maguire — a player often ridiculed and written off — rose above the noise, quite literally, to head home the winning goal.
His late strike sealed a dramatic 2–1 win and condemned Liverpool to a fourth straight defeat.
For Maguire, it was a career-affirming moment; for United, it was a performance full of steel, resilience, and much-needed belief.
Amorim’s Job Hanging by a Thread
Heading into the match, all eyes were on United manager Rúben Amorim.
His future seemed uncertain, with whispers that defeat could cost him his job. The narrative wasn’t new — after all, a similar loss to Liverpool back in 2018 spelled the end for José Mourinho.
Even Erik ten Hag never fully recovered from that infamous 7–0 humiliation at Anfield in 2023.
So, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. But Amorim’s team delivered when it mattered most.
Against all odds, they outsmarted Liverpool, taking full advantage of their opponents’ growing frailties.
It wasn’t just a win — it felt like a statement that this United side might still have something to build on.
United Find Their First Anfield Win Since 2016
It’s been a long road back. United hadn’t tasted victory at Anfield since Wayne Rooney’s winner in January 2016.
That nine-year drought ended with a performance full of composure and character — the kind of win that can lift an entire dressing room.
For Liverpool, though, the mood was far less optimistic.
The title dreams that once looked within reach are now fading fast, replaced by mounting frustration and inconsistency.
Arsenal fans, meanwhile, will have watched this result with delight.
Liverpool’s Cracks Begin to Show
This loss highlighted just how fragile Liverpool have become. Their new goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, lacks Alisson’s commanding presence.
Milos Kerkez is still finding his rhythm alongside Virgil van Dijk, while the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creative playmaking has left a visible gap on the right.
Mohamed Salah, once so reliable, now looks strangely unsettled.
The arrival of Alexander Isak has disrupted his rhythm, and though Florian Wirtz’s talent is undeniable, the young German is still adapting to the physical demands of English football.
A Controversial Early Lead
United couldn’t have asked for a better start. Just over a minute into the match, chaos unfolded in Liverpool’s box.
As Mbeumo challenged both Van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister for a high ball, Van Dijk’s stray elbow caught Mac Allister in the head.
While the midfielder lay on the turf, play continued.
Amad Diallo seized the moment, threading a perfect pass through to Mbeumo, who calmly slotted past Mamardashvili — a goal that should have been prevented.
Protests from the Liverpool bench were loud, but the referee allowed play to stand.
Mac Allister returned to action wearing a black protective cap, but by then, United had already silenced the Kop.
Liverpool Fight Back but Luck Runs Out
Liverpool tried to respond, and for a while, it felt like they might.
Mo Salah almost conjured magic from his own half, setting up Cody Gakpo for a beautiful chance that rattled the post.
It was one of those moments that summed up Liverpool’s luck — so close, yet so far.
United, meanwhile, had their own near misses. Bruno Fernandes hit the post from close range, wasting what should have been a decisive second goal.
Even when Liverpool pressed hard, the woodwork seemed to mock them — Gakpo and Salah both saw shots bounce away cruelly.
The Curse of the Woodwork
It became almost comical. By the time Gakpo struck the post for the third time, fans were half-convinced some invisible force was protecting United’s goal.
Every Liverpool effort seemed destined to bounce away, as if fate itself had chosen to side with the visitors.
Salah, once clinical, now looked hesitant. His timing was off, his touch unsure.
Without chemistry with his new strike partners, he appeared a shadow of his former self — and it showed.
Liverpool Finally Draw Level
When Liverpool finally equalized in the 78th minute, relief swept through Anfield.
Florian Wirtz picked out Enrico Chiesa on the left, and Chiesa’s low cross was nudged home by Gakpo at close range. For a brief moment, it felt like the comeback was on.
But that hope was short-lived. Just six minutes later, United hit back. A rebound fell kindly to Fernandes, whose volleyed cross found Maguire.
The defender rose above everyone to guide a perfect header into the corner. It was a captain’s goal — and a poetic finish.
Gakpo’s Late Miss Seals Liverpool’s Misery
Even in the dying moments, the drama didn’t end. Jeremie Frimpong’s brilliant cross found Gakpo unmarked six yards out — an open goal begging for a finish.
But somehow, the Dutchman nodded wide, leaving Anfield in disbelief.
That miss summed up Liverpool’s afternoon: full of effort, full of fight, but empty of luck.
For United, it was a symbolic victory — one that might just breathe life back into a struggling season.
And for Sir Alex Ferguson, watching from the stands with his chocolates, it must have tasted sweeter than ever.