Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United (Gakpo 78′ | Mbeumo 2′, Maguire 84′)
ANFIELD — A week shy of 11 months into the job, we can finally utter the phrase Ruben Amorim got it right.
As jubilant supporters slowly made their way out of Anfield having seen their side silence their oldest of foes after a first win at Anfield in nine years, Amorim’s name hung in the Merseyside air, belief from fans he will bring back the glory days again.
Such buoyancy wasn’t unfounded. Amorim’s beloved system actually worked at Anfield. His big team selection calls paid off. Back-to-back league wins secured for the first time in the job. Champions Liverpool, seemingly playing a different sport to United until recently, now only two points ahead.
Redemption for Ruben. And Sir Jim Ratcliffe after his comments last week insisting the under-fire United chief needs three years to prove himself. Turns out only 90 minutes was required.
Eyebrows were raised in the press room ahead of kick off when teamsheets were handed around. Casemiro, whose legs are fading fast, was starting in a midfield two after 180 minutes for Brazil in South Korea and Japan over the international break. Bold.
Leaving expensive new hitman Benjamin Sesko on the bench after two goals in two seemed more foolish. As did picking a more cumbersome Harry Maguire over the effervescence of Leny Yoro at the back.
There was, of course, no budging on the system, but Anfield did seem like the perfect place for Amorim’s beloved formation to bear fruit, given operating with less possession is where United have been most effective of late.
But each of those individual selections paid off handsomely, as did Amorim’s ploy of overloading Milos Kerkez with Bryan Mbeumo’s velocity and Amad Diallo’s fleet of foot. Sometimes two weeks is too long to formulate a gameplan, one that ends up eating itself. At Anfield, Amorim’s masterplan could not have gone any better.
Casemiro controlled the first half, utilising his unrivalled experience that makes up for the weary legs. He tired very quickly after the break, but his poise and composure were pivotal to putting United into a winning position.
Maguire, despite what the naysayers like to profess on social media, more often than not steps up on the big stage, revelling in the adversity that unfairly comes his way.
While he may not cover the ground Yoro can, he was a colossus at the back, before, not for the first time under Amorim, stepping up with a brilliantly taken winner, 10 months on from his infamous miss that should have earned United a similar victory last season.
The decision to go with Matheus Cunha over Sesko through the middle gave United a different, game-changing dimension, too. With the Brazilian pulling defenders one way, Mbeumo was given the freedom of Stanley Park to double up with Amad and give Kerkez a nightmare afternoon, one that will leave him seeing stars for some time.
The deadly duo set United on their way before many had even taken their seats. Hopes Gone in 62 Seconds. The move was no accident and had Amorim’s stamp all over it.
An afternoon like this had been a long, long time coming. Not just victory on such a stage, but one down to a manager still with so much to prove.
Amorim is very likeable, you want him to succeed. It appeared he lacked the knowhow to do so. There’s still a long, long way to go, with a tricky clash with Brighton to come next, but a victory over Anfield, a planned one, shows there is perhaps something there after all.
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