Liverpool Collapse at Anfield: Player Ratings Revealed
Anfield fell silent on a night that promised redemption but ended in disappointment. Liverpool’s fierce rivalry with Manchester United produced another emotional chapter—one dominated by frustration and missed opportunities. Rúben Amorim’s men looked strong early but lost control when it mattered most.
Manchester United seized their chances with clinical precision. The defeat left Liverpool fans questioning focus, discipline, and composure. Every player carried responsibility for the collapse, and every performance deserved deep analysis.
Let’s break down the player ratings from Liverpool’s dramatic defeat against Manchester United.
Alisson Becker – 6.5
Alisson saved Liverpool from deeper humiliation. He reacted sharply several times, especially in one-on-one situations. However, his distribution faltered under United’s high press.
He communicated actively with defenders but received little support. Alisson’s command inside the box remained reliable, yet he could not stop everything thrown his way. Despite conceding, his focus never dropped.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5.5
Trent struggled to balance attack and defense. His forward runs created danger, but his positioning often left spaces behind. Rashford repeatedly exploited those gaps on the counter.
Trent’s passing retained quality, and some crosses troubled United’s defense. Yet his defensive awareness declined as fatigue grew. Amorim expects leadership from him, but consistency still eludes the right-back.
Ibrahima Konaté – 6.0
Konaté played with aggression and intensity. He intercepted several key balls and blocked shots bravely. However, his risky tackles sometimes invited danger near Liverpool’s penalty area.
His physical duels with Højlund looked fierce throughout the match. Konaté’s strength helped Liverpool recover possession multiple times, but lapses in coordination with Van Dijk proved costly.
Virgil van Dijk – 5.5
Van Dijk looked uncharacteristically uncertain. The Dutch captain struggled to command his line and misjudged several aerial duels. United’s first goal came after a defensive mix-up that exposed his lack of anticipation.
Despite moments of composure, Van Dijk failed to inspire calm under pressure. His usual aura of dominance vanished in the chaos. Fans expected leadership, but it never arrived in time.
Andrew Robertson – 6.5
Robertson gave everything. His overlapping runs injected life into the left flank. He tracked back tirelessly and delivered accurate crosses.
However, Liverpool’s attack rarely finished his efforts. He remained one of the few players who maintained intensity until the end. Robertson’s work rate deserved better support from teammates.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5.0
Mac Allister struggled to dictate tempo. He often appeared isolated and overwhelmed by United’s physical midfield. His passing accuracy dropped under pressure, and his defensive coverage lacked sharpness.
Amorim demanded control from him, but transitions bypassed his zone too easily. The match exposed his need for stronger positional awareness against high-intensity opponents.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6.0
Gravenberch showed flashes of brilliance. He carried the ball confidently and pushed forward with intent. Yet he occasionally lost discipline when tracking back.
His energy supported pressing phases, but decision-making in the final third looked inconsistent. Gravenberch still grows under Amorim, but this match revealed his inexperience in chaotic battles.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6.5
Szoboszlai displayed relentless effort. He sprinted tirelessly and tried to connect midfield with attack. His passing opened several half-chances, though finishing failed to match creation.
He shot from distance a few times, forcing Onana into saves. Even in defeat, Szoboszlai’s drive stood out. His commitment earned applause from sections of the crowd.
Mohamed Salah – 5.5
Salah endured a frustrating night. United’s defense doubled him constantly, denying space and rhythm. His dribbles lacked precision, and his shots flew wide.
Despite hard work, he rarely threatened directly. Salah looked disconnected from Núñez and Díaz. Amorim might adjust his positioning in upcoming matches to revive his effectiveness.
Darwin Núñez – 5.0
Núñez battled hard but produced little end product. He pressed with energy yet wasted golden opportunities. His finishing lacked composure, and timing in the box disappointed.
He argued with teammates over misplaced passes, showing visible frustration. Amorim appreciates his intensity but needs better efficiency. Núñez’s performance embodied Liverpool’s chaos in the final third.
Luis Díaz – 6.0
Díaz brought spark and flair. He ran relentlessly and forced fouls near the box. His movement unsettled United’s defenders but lacked decisive final touch.
He nearly equalized late in the second half with a curling attempt that brushed the post. Díaz looked dangerous, yet isolation on the flank limited his impact.
Substitutes
Harvey Elliott – 6.0
Elliott entered with purpose. His creativity injected energy, and he linked well with Salah. However, United’s compact defense reduced his space.
Cody Gakpo – 5.5
Gakpo failed to influence the game significantly. He lost several duels and rarely tested Onana. His confidence seemed low.
Joe Gomez – 5.0
Gomez entered late but struggled to stabilize defense. United exploited gaps immediately after his introduction.
Rúben Amorim – 5.5
Amorim faced his toughest evening as Liverpool manager. His tactical setup looked brave but overly open. He urged his players to press high, yet transitions broke too easily.
He substituted logically but too late. Amorim’s gamble with an attacking shape backfired when United countered clinically. He must now rebuild confidence quickly before the next fixture.
Manchester United’s Ruthless Edge
Manchester United executed their plan perfectly. Ten Hag’s men absorbed pressure and struck at the right moments. Fernandes controlled tempo, while Rashford’s pace ripped open Liverpool’s defense.
Their discipline contrasted Liverpool’s disorganization. The difference between strategy and execution defined the match. United’s players stayed patient, calm, and focused.
Anfield’s Silence and Supporters’ Reaction
When the final whistle blew, Anfield fell quiet. The supporters remained stunned. A place famous for defiance turned reflective instead.
Still, many applauded as players walked off. They recognized the effort, even amid frustration. The fans understand Amorim’s project requires time. However, patience fades when results slip repeatedly.
Social media buzzed with mixed emotions. Some blamed finishing, others tactics. A few questioned leadership. Yet most agreed: Liverpool must respond fast or risk losing grip on their season’s goals.
Final Verdict: Average Rating – 5.8
Liverpool’s overall performance looked energetic but unfocused. Effort existed without clarity. The defense crumbled under pressure, and the midfield lacked rhythm.
Manchester United deserved their victory through sharper execution. Liverpool, meanwhile, left Anfield searching for identity. Amorim now faces a crucial challenge—to transform frustration into motivation before confidence erodes completely.
Read too: Liverpool vs Man United: Arne Slot’s Bold Midfield Plan
