Liverpool vs Manchester United Player Ratings- Anfield Agony as Maguire Seals Red Devils Win! | OneFootball

Under the glow of the Anfield floodlights, amidst a storm of noise and narrative, Manchester United exorcised a nine-year curse. A bruising, breathless encounter ended with Harry Maguire – the once-maligned captain, now perhaps reborn under Ruben Amorim – rising high to head home the winner that silenced the Kop.

Barely a minute in, Manchester United took the lead as Bryan Mbeumo pounced after a mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister left Giorgi Mamardashvili stranded. Liverpool huffed and harried, their attacks increasingly frantic against an organised Manchester United wall. Cody Gakpo’s late equaliser seemed to have restored Anfield’s roar, but Maguire’s header six minutes from time restored the old rivalry’s sting, earning Amorim’s side their first victory at Anfield since 2016.

For Liverpool, there were flashes of fight but too little fluency. For Manchester United, this was the steel and structure Amorim promised – and delivered.

Liverpool Player Ratings

Giorgi Mamardashvili – 6/10

Beaten early by Mbeumo through no fault of his own, the Georgian steadied himself with solid handling and distribution. His sweeping passes offered Liverpool an outlet, but he was powerless to prevent Maguire’s bullet header late on.

Conor Bradley – 4.5/10

Preferred to Frimpong for his defensive reliability, yet struggled in possession and failed to provide the creative thrust from right-back that Liverpool demand. Caught flat-footed several times and lacked conviction in his passing lanes.

Ibrahima Konaté – 7/10

The standout of Liverpool’s back line. Made several vital interventions and won aerial duels with authority. Tried to drive the team forward with progressive carries but was left exposed by a disjointed midfield.

Virgil van Dijk – 6/10

A bruising afternoon for the captain. His collision with Mac Allister in the build-up to the opener set the tone for a shaky display. Threatened offensively from set pieces but lacked his usual composure in defensive transitions.

Milos Kerkez – 4/10

A torrid outing. Positionally suspect and guilty of hesitancy in key moments. Manchester United repeatedly targeted his flank, and his loose passing gifted the visitors dangerous moments. Replaced late on to spare further damage.

Ryan Gravenberch – 6.5/10

Showed glimpses of his technical ability in tight areas but couldn’t dictate tempo as he might have liked. A few promising carries through midfield, yet too often bypassed when Manchester United pressed aggressively.

Alexis Mac Allister – 5.5/10

A frustrating night. His early head injury clearly affected his rhythm, and he struggled to regain control in the centre of the pitch. Tried to knit play together but often found himself outnumbered as Manchester United’s midfield compressed space effectively.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 5.5/10

Worked hard but drifted on the periphery for long spells. Some sharp bursts into half-spaces but failed to link efficiently with Salah or Isak. Needed to take on more creative responsibility when Mac Allister faltered.

Mohamed Salah – 6/10

Liverpool’s talisman had one of those rare, wasteful afternoons. Missed key chances and struggled against the physical presence of Shaw and Maguire. Delivered a few teasing crosses, including one early to Van Dijk, but lacked the decisive edge.

Cody Gakpo – 8/10

The bright spark. Persisted when others faltered – hitting the woodwork twice before finally netting Liverpool’s equaliser from close range. Intelligent movement between the lines and showed admirable resilience in a trying contest.

Alexander Isak – 5/10

Still searching for his first league goal for Liverpool, and this performance won’t have helped. Spurned a clear chance in the first half and lacked sharpness in front of goal. His link play was tidy but not transformative.

Substitutes

Hugo Ekitike – 7/10

Injected energy and directness after coming on for Mac Allister. Nearly tested Lammens twice from range and unsettled Manchester United’s back line. A bright cameo.

Florian Wirtz – 6/10

Struggled to find rhythm after replacing Bradley. Some tidy touches but didn’t influence the game as Slot would have hoped.

Curtis Jones – 6/10

Helped maintain possession and provided balance late on, though without truly impacting the scoreline.

Federico Chiesa – 7/10

Brought on to produce a spark and did just that, setting up Gakpo’s equaliser with a sharp, low cross.

Jeremie Frimpong – 6.5/10

Replaced Salah for the closing minutes, but Manchester United’s late winner curtailed any late surge from Liverpool.

Manchester united Player Ratings

Senne Lammens – 8.5/10

A commanding display. Produced crucial saves from Isak and Salah, dealt calmly with Liverpool’s aerial bombardment, and claimed crosses with confidence. The Belgian’s assured presence underlined his growing stature.

Matthijs de Ligt – 6.5/10

Solid and understated. Handled Gakpo well for large portions and read danger intelligently, even if occasionally dragged wide by Isak’s movement.

Harry Maguire – 9/10

A colossal performance. Defensively dominant, clearing everything that came near him, and rose above everyone to power home the winner. His leadership and timing were immaculate – a throwback display of defiance and redemption.

Luke Shaw – 6/10

Defended diligently and covered ground effectively on the left, though offered little going forward. A disciplined showing in a hostile environment.

Amad Diallo – 7.5/10

Electric in the early stages, setting up Mbeumo’s goal with vision and precision. Worked tirelessly in both directions, contributing to defensive stability while maintaining threat on the counter.

Casemiro – 6/10

Used experience to marshal midfield zones and disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm but picked up an inevitable yellow card, prompting his substitution. Disciplined and combative.

Bruno Fernandes – 6.5/10

Mixed evening. Hit the post early, misplaced a few passes under pressure, but redeemed himself with the inch-perfect assist for Maguire’s decisive header. Led by example in pressing and defensive recovery.

Diogo Dalot – 5/10

Struggled on the left side defensively, particularly against Salah’s movement. Nearly handed Liverpool an equaliser with a poor clearance but improved marginally as the match wore on.

Bryan Mbeumo – 8/10

A constant menace and Manchester United’s sharpest outlet. His early finish was ice-cold, and his chemistry with Amad troubled Liverpool throughout. Faded slightly after the break but had already left his mark.

Mason Mount – 5.5/10

Quiet performance from the midfielder. Worked hard defensively but offered little penetration going forward before being substituted.

Matheus Cunha – 7/10

Provided energy and aggression in pressing from the front. Linked play well and helped the Red Devils transition quickly, setting the tone for Amorim’s disciplined approach.

Substitutes

Manuel Ugarte – 6/10

Steady introduction, breaking up play and offering fresh legs in midfield.

Patrick Dorgu – 5.5/10

Struggled defensively after replacing Amad, losing his marker on Gakpo’s goal.

Benjamin Šeško – 5/10

Pressed with energy but lacked involvement in attack.

Leny Yoro – 5.5/10

Brought composure late on as United shut up shop.

Kobbie Mainoo – 5.5/10

Commanding at both ends, resolute in the face of adversity, and the match-winner. A vintage defensive performance was capped with a thunderous header to end the Red Devils long Anfield hoodoo.

For Manchester United, this was more than just three points – it was a statement of steel and revival under Amorim. The Red Devils leapfrog into the top half of the table and perhaps reclaim belief that had seemed distant months ago. Liverpool, meanwhile, are left to reckon with their profligacy and structural frailties and drop down to 4th with 15 points after 8 games, 4 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Anfield has long been a fortress. On this night, Maguire and company finally tore down the gates.