LIVERPOOL, 20 October (H.S.): A late header from Harry Maguire secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday night, handing Liverpool their fourth consecutive defeat for the first time in 11 years and dealing a significant blow to their title aspirations.

Maguire found the net in the 84th minute, clinching the first back-to-back Premier League victory of Rúben Amorim's tenure as United's manager. The win lifts United to ninth place in the table, now just two points behind their historic rivals. For Liverpool, the loss leaves them four points adrift of league leaders Arsenal and mounts further pressure on coach Arne Slot, despite a summer transfer spending spree of nearly £450 million.

The match at Anfield, a venue where United had not won since January 2016, started poorly for the hosts. Bryan Mbeumo beat Virgil van Dijk to score from an Amad Diallo pass within the first minute. Liverpool struggled to respond, and despite dominating possession, they were unable to find a breakthrough in the first half.

After the interval, Liverpool's persistence finally paid off when Cody Gakpo turned in a low cross from Federico Chiesa to level the score with 12 minutes remaining. However, the parity was short-lived. Just minutes later, Maguire was left unmarked in the box and powerfully headed home a looping cross from Bruno Fernandes to seal the three points for the visitors.

The defeat was Liverpool's first in the Premier League at Anfield in over a year, compounding a difficult period for the club following major squad changes and the tragic death of Diogo Jota in July.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar