Harry Maguire’s late header sealed Man Utd a first Anfield win since 2016 – but Gary Neville couldn't believe what Virgil van Dijk did before the opening goal of the game
Gary Neville couldn't believe what Virgil van Dijk did before Manchester United's opening goal against Liverpool
Gary Neville couldn't believe what Virgil van Dijk did before Manchester United's opening goal against Liverpool
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Harry Maguire scored a late winner for Manchester United to condemn Liverpool to a fourth consecutive defeat. Arne Slot’s side headed into the game at Anfield looking to get back on track after three defeats in the space of a week before the international break.
But they got off to the worst possible start at Anfield after Bryan Mbeumo scored after just 63 seconds. However, Liverpool’s players and supporters were left furious with referee Michael Oliver after he failed to stop the game in the build-up to the goal.
Alexis Mac Allister picked up a head injury after clashing with team-mate Virgil van Dijk. Sky Sports then reported during the game that Oliver had played on as he had not seen the World Cup was down hurt.
But it was what happened next that caught Gary Neville’s eye, as he couldn’t believe the way Mbeumo managed to break clear.
“Watch Van Dijk, that’s the thing that stuns me here. Mbuemo runs off the back of him, I don’t think Van Dijk sees him!” he told Sky Sports.
“Konate can’t get across, but watch Van Dijk, Mbuemo gets up, reacts like a boxer who’s been punched and off he goes.
“Do you think Van Dijk is passing him on or trying to play him offside? Watch him here, he slows down, he sort of points to Konate to say ‘it’s your man’. It’s a strange handover from him.”
Cody Gakpo looked like he had rescued his side a point 12 minutes from time, but Maguire secured United their first win at Anfield since 2016 when he headed home a ball into the box Bruno Fernandes.
Harry Maguire celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Liverpool at Anfield
Harry Maguire celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Liverpool at Anfield
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Speaking after the game, Van Dijk said: "I think we conceded a very sloppy second goal. We worked so hard to get back into the game and we created great opportunities to score the winner but if you concede a second goal like that, that is the disappointing part.
"If you look at the game as a whole, we were far too rushed. I think they were very patient they didn't press us high but they didn't let us on the ball. We still created many opportunities to score but the reality is that we lost."
On the first goal, the Dutchman admitted: "I think the ball went long, first header was a United player, second by me.
“My elbow hit the player and he goes down and I went down. That angle it was difficult to score and he did. There was plenty of football left to be played [and score] and we didn't.
"We need to stay humble and stay working and keep our confidence as high as possible. When things get tough, it is important we keep the mentality of being there for each other. It is a long season."
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