Liverpool suffered a 19th defeat of the season, their joint-most this century, despite having come from two goals down against Man United.
## Man United 3-2 Liverpool
Premier League (35) | Old Trafford
May 3, 2026
Goals
Cunha 6′
Sesko 14′
Szoboszlai 47′
Gakpo 56′
Mainoo 77′
Stats
Possession: 38% – 62%
Shots: 18 (6) – 13 (5)
Big Chances: 3 – 1
Expected Goals (xG): 2.14 – 0.89
Another injury and a depleted squad
With Alexander Isak picking up an injury in training in the week, to add to Mo Salah being absent and Alisson not able to make his return, it was a weakened Liverpool XI.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Third-choice ‘keeper Freddie Woodman continued in goal, while Curtis Jones deputised at right back again with Jeremie Frimpong instead in attack.
It was pretty much a 4-4-2 shape, with Cody Gakpo left wing, Frimpong right wing, and Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz central.
The Reds’ bench, meanwhile, was severely depleted, with average age of 21 and five players who have never started a Premier League game.
Liverpool 2-0 down inside 14 minutes
United started well on top and it was no surprise when they took the lead inside six minutes when Liverpool failed to clear a corner and Matheus Cunha eventually finished.
It was the 21st time Liverpool had conceded the opening goal this season, having gone on to win just two previously. You would be forgiven for thinking it was already game over.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That assumption was compounded inside 14 minutes when the home side doubled their lead. Benjamin Sesko was the one to profit from more haphazard defending.
There was a VAR to check whether the ball had hit Sesko’s hand, the review going in favour of the home side.
Liverpool attempted to get some possession but every time United got the ball they looked threatening; Bruno Fernandes almost made it three before the half hour.
United were pressing high up, pressuring the Reds’ defence in a way Liverpool used to in a bygone era.
A first shot on target arrived from distance, which was Liverpool’s only route to goal.
Half-time: Man United 2-0 Liverpool
An unexpected second half comeback
Liverpool came out like a different side after the break, though, with Dominik Szoboszlai halving the deficit with a solo goal.
United sub Amad gave the ball away in midfield and Szoboszlai ran through United’s defence before placing a left foot shot into the bottom corner.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai scores his side's first goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
All of a sudden, it was the Reds who were the ones pressuring and doing the hard running, forcing mistakes.
And it was another mistake from United passing out from a goal kick that gifted the equaliser for Gakpo. Credit to Mac Allister and Szoboszlai for their pressing high up.
The game had completely flipped on its head; Liverpool now looking threatening on every attack and playing with much more intensity and energy.
It should have been 3-2 for Liverpool when Szoboszlai’s free kick out wide caused problems but somehow didn’t get bundled over the line.
Instead it was United who restored their lead through Kobie Mainoo when Liverpool failed to deal with a cross from the left. Mac Allister twice effectively assisted United’s goals.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding his side's third goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Fernandes then picked up a yellow for a challenge on Szoboszlai that was clearly worthy of a red.
Slot played his wildcard by bringing on Chiesa for Konate late on but no equaliser was forthcoming.
A 19th defeat of the season and 11th in the league. United do the double over Liverpool for the first time in a decade.
The win guarantees United’s Champions League qualification, while Liverpool now have three games remaining to ensure their place among Europe’s elite next season.
TIA Man of the Match: Dominik Szoboszlai
Man United 3-2 Liverpool: Match Facts
Man United: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Yoro, Dorgu, Malacia, Mazraoui, Mount, Ugarte, Amad, Zirkzee
Liverpool: Woodman; Jones, Konate (Chiesa 87′), Van Dijk, Robertson (Kerkez 59′); Frimpong (Ngumoha 76′), Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Gakpo; Szoboszlai, Wirtz
Subs not used: Pecsi, Ndiaye, Gomez, Nyoni, Morrison, Wright
Referee: Darren England
Next match: Chelsea (H) – Premier League – Saturday, May 9, 12.30pm