LONDON: Liverpool have lost their way. They won their first five matches of the Premier League title defence but have now have lost four matches in a row in all competitions for the first time since November 2014. Thus Manchester United moved within two points after their first victory at Anfield in almost a decade.

United’s victory could prove a crucial turning point in the reign of manager Ruben Amorim. Bryan Mbeumo struck for United after only one minute in front of a shocked Kop. Arne Slot’s Reds were always chasing the game. Cody Gakpo equalised late in the second half but Liverpool, disorganised by a stream of attacking substitutions, conceded an even later United winner to Harry Maguire.

Liverpool named the same team that lost at Chelsea before the international break which meant Alex Isak preferred to Hugo Ekitike up front and with Florian Wirtz again on the bench and Dominik Szoboszlai at the centre of midfield.

Ibrahima Konate was fit to partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of defence but the pair of them were caught out at United grabbed the lead after one minute. Van Dijk and Mbeumo tangled in the air with Alex Mac Allister and, as the Argentinian fell, so the Cameroon striker recovered the quicker to outpace Liverpool’s captain and convert the perfect assist from Amad Diallo.

United had not won at Liverpool since 2016 but suddenly they had a glimpse of beating the jinx.

Liverpool surged forward to try to make amends. They had a penalty claim rejected for hands against Amad before Cody Gakpo shot against a post and saw a deflected shot strike a post. Early in the second half a post denied Gakpo for a second time and Mohamed Salah mistimed a half-volley at close range before Slot brought on both Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

The Frenchman was twice off target before Slot increased the attacking pressure power by sending on Federico Chiesa. He provided a close-range equaliser for Gakpo but Liverpool’s relief was short-lived. They failed to clear a corner and Maguire headed United back in front.

Even eight minutes of stoppage time proved insufficient for them to mount a second rescue.

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