Jamie Redknapp blasted the ‘nervous’ performance of Milos Kerkez as Liverpool suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.
The Red Devils arrived on Merseyside after a topsy-turvy start to the season and without a win at Anfield in almost a decade.
But despite all that, Ruben Amorim’s side produced the defining performance of his United tenure to consign the defending champions to their fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
The visitors took the lead after barely a minute when Bryan Mbeumo ghosted in behind Virgil van Dijk before smashing past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Arne Slot rung the changes in the second half in search of a comeback, and it was one of his substitutes, Federico Chiesa, who supplied Cody Gakpo with the assist to draw level.
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But it was United who had the last laugh as Harry Maguire thumped home Bruno Fernandes’ cross in the 84th minute to secure the winner.
After cantering to the league title in such dominant fashion last season, it was another chaotic and out-of-character performance from Liverpool, who are clearly still adjusting to their new-look squad after a series of big signings over the summer.
Metro at the Match: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.
Here are our team’s key takeaways from United’s dramatic win at Anfield:
Panic stations for Liverpool
Four losses on the bounce and a first home defeat to United in almost a decade should have alarm bells ringing on Merseyside. The season is still young, but Arne Slot’s chaotic side currently look a shadow of the well-oiled machine that cantered to the title last season. Ben Fleming – Sports Reporter
A turning point for Amorim’s tenure?
If beating newly-promoted Sunderland felt like a job-saver for Ruben Amorim, the dramatic win at Anfield felt like a defining and potentially transformational moment for the Old Trafford boss. A Liverpool winner felt inevitable once they finally broke United’s resistance but the visitors rallied superbly and snatched the three points themselves. Much of the talk will be about Liverpool’s fourth straight defeat but this was huge for Manchester United and perhaps the turning point in Amorim’s tenure. Louis Sealey, Deputy Sports Editor
Is Van Dijk beginning to slip?
Much has been made of Mohamed Salah’s slow start to the season, but is Virgil van Dijk also starting to show signs of his age? The Dutchman allowed Bryan Mbeumo to ghost in behind with ease after only a minute, in what is his second costly mistake in as many club games. Ben Fleming – Sports Reporter
Lammens takes to Anfield like a duck to water
Senne Lammens’ selection effectively confirmed his status as Ruben Amorim’s No. 1 after his solid debut against Sunderland. Wayne Rooney was among those questioning the £18m deal – especially as Gianluigi Donnarumma and Emiliano Martinez were available – but it’s looking like money well spent. Lammens denied £125m striker Alexander Isak in the first half and generally provides a more assuring presence in the United goal than either of Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir. Louis Sealey, Deputy Sports Editor
And the performance of Kerkez once again came to the fore, with the Hungarian international once again struggling at left-back.
‘Kerkez looked nervous, he looked like a nervous wreck out there, I feel for him a bit,’ Redknapp said of the Liverpool defender to Sky Sports.
‘Amad caused him all sorts of problems.’
But Redknapp also questioned the performance of captain Virgil van Dijk, particularly for his role in United’s opening goal.
‘I think Virgil van Dijk makes a big mistake. He has to sprint back,’he added,
‘Yes, there was a collision, but you can’t pass it onto Konate. You have to sprint back as fast as you can and make sure that run doesn’t go in behind you.
‘Fundamentally, they’e made a mistake. They can defend that much better.’
And speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Stephen Warnock suggested that the connection between Kerkez and Van Dijk will be one of many huge concerns for Slot.
‘Kerkez and Van Dijk’s relationship on this left hand side is not working,’ Warnock said.
‘There is a lack of communication and the ball is getting slipped down the side far too many times. Again they are far too easy to get at.
‘Far too vulnerable to the turnover of possession.’
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