Manchester United defeated Liverpool with a 1-2 away win at Anfield on Sunday on matchday 8 of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

In the first half, Mbeumo's close-range goal, after taking advantage of McAllister's head injury, caused controversy, and Gakpo's long-range shot hit the post. In the second half, Gakpo's powerful shot hit the post again, but he later found the net from close range. In a crucial moment, Maguire scored with a header, but Gakpo's header missed the target. Ultimately, Manchester United won 1-2 with a away win against Liverpool, ending their winless streak at Anfield since 2016. Following this round of matches, the Red Devils temporarily moved up to ninth place on the table with 13 points, while the Reds, who suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, temporarily dropped to fourth with 15 points.

First Half

In the second minute, Manchester United launched a deadly counterattack. Amad Diallo made through pass from the right, wing. After successfully beating the offside trap, Bryan Mbeumo got the ball, quickly followed up, took a few steps, and dribbled into a very close distance in the box, before slotting the ball into the high center of the net with a right-footed shot against the outshing Giorgi Mamardashvili. Manchester United broke the deadlock first to take a 0-1 lead!

However, before that, Alexis McAllister, who had been competing for an aerial ball near the midfield center circle with Mbeumo and Virgil van Dijk, was knocked unconscious by the latter. The referee should have immediately stopped the game in accordance with FIFA's regulations to prevent concussions. However, instead of doing so, they continued to award the goal, sparking controversy and criticism.

In the 21st minute, Mohamed Salah made a low diagonal pass from the right wing. After successfully beating the offside trap, Cody Gakpo quickly followed up, got the ball, dribbled, cuts inside and took a few steps before making a right-footed long shot from the edge of the penalty area. Unfortunately, his shot hit the right side of the post and bounced off. Liverpool missed a golden opportunity to equalize Manchester United!

Three minutes later, Diallo passes horizontally from the right side of the box. Bruno Fernandes quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, made a powerful right-footed shot from the center of the box, but his shot went just slighlty wide of the top right corner of the post.

In the 32nd minute, Alexander Isak crossed from the frontcourt. Giacpo quickly followed up to receive the ball, dribbled inside to the left side of the penalty area, and volleyed his right-footed shot. Luke Shaw blocked the ball just before the goal line. Liverpool and Giacpo missed another golden opportunity to equalize Manchester United!

3 minutes later, Ibrahima Konaté made a through pass from his own back half. After beating the offside trap, Alexander Isak quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his right foot from the right side of the box, but his shot was blocked by Senne Lammens' outstretched legs.

At halftime, Liverpool temporarily trailed Manchester United 0-1.

Second Half

In the 50th minute, Mohamed Salah crossed into the box from the right wing. Gakpo stopped the ball and adjusted his angle before firing powerful right-footed shot from the left side of the box. Unfortunately, his shot hit the right side of the post, this is the third golden opportunity to equalize Manchester United that Liverpool and Gakpo had missed!

In the 78th minute, Federico Chiesa passes horizontally from the left side of the box. After beating the offside trap, Gakpo quickly followed up and upon receving the pass, pushed the ball into the top left corner of the net with a right-footed shot from a very close distance in the box. Liverpool and Gakpo finally broke the deadlock and equalized Manchester United at 1-1!

Thanks to this assist, leading football statistics website, Opta, arevealed that Federico Chiesa, who scored or assisted once every 86 minutes of his Liverpool career, has become the Reds' player with the highest goal-contrubation rate!

7 minutes later, Fernandes crossed into the box from the left wing. Harry Maguire rose high and scored with a header in the box, Manchester United regained their leade again at 1-2 ! This was the 13th goal that the England international defender has scored in his Red Devils' career!

In the 87th minute, Jeremie Frimpong's cross from the edge of the byline at the right side of the box. Totally Unmarked, Gakpo rose high and attempted with a header, however his header missed the target and his effort sailed past the left side of the post, Liverpool missed a golden opportunity to equalize Manchester United late in the match.

At full time, Liverpool lost 2-1 to Manchester United in a clash that was both the result and the sloppiness of Gakpo.