Liverpool’s title defence took another hit on Sunday as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield, marking their fourth straight loss across all competitions.
The home crowd was left stunned as the champions struggled to break down a resolute United side, leaving manager Arne Slot openly frustrated with his team’s defensive lapses.
Early Setback Sets the Tone
The match got off to a nightmare start for Liverpool when Bryan Mbeumo scored just 62 seconds in.
The goal came after a collision between Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister, which left the midfielder down and allowed Mbeumo to slip through and beat goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Slot admitted the early concession made chasing the game even more difficult against a team that set up a low block and relied heavily on long balls.
Slot Criticises Defensive Approach
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Slot highlighted the challenges posed by Manchester United’s approach.
“It is always difficult to play against a team that defends in a low block and mainly plays the long ball,” he said.
“When you go one down after just one minute, it makes it even harder. We had chances to score more than one goal, but conceding two – including a set-piece goal – is tough to swallow.”
Slot also drew attention to a recurring problem this season: set pieces.
Similar to defeats against Crystal Palace and Chelsea, Liverpool’s inability to defend dead-ball situations has been costly.
“It’s hard to win a game if you have a negative balance on set pieces,” he added.
United Respond and Seal Victory
Cody Gakpo equalised midway through the second half after twice hitting the woodwork, giving Liverpool hope.
However, Harry Maguire’s towering header in the 84th minute restored United’s lead and sealed a historic win – their first at Anfield since 2016.
For Liverpool, it was another example of opportunities wasted and defensive vulnerabilities exposed.
Implications for the Premier League Race
Sunday’s loss leaves Liverpool third in the table, four points behind leaders Arsenal, after enjoying a five-point advantage before the international break.
United, meanwhile, celebrate their second consecutive league victory under Ruben Amorim, with momentum now firmly on their side.
Looking Ahead for Liverpool
Slot knows his side must regroup quickly. Liverpool face a crucial Champions League tie midweek before travelling to Brentford next weekend.
With set-piece weaknesses exposed and confidence shaken, the Reds are under pressure to arrest their slide and prove they can still mount a serious challenge for the Premier League crown.