Liverpool 1-2 Man United: Player Ratings

Liverpool were again very poor as they suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, this time 2-1 to Man United, with big question marks at both ends of the pitch.

Liverpool 1-2 Man United

Premier League (8) | Anfield
October 19, 2025

Goals: Gakpo 78′; Mbeumo 2′, Maguire 84′

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Giorgi Mamardashvili (out of 10) – 5

Mamardashvili’s home Premier League debut was a huge game and the pressure was on to fill the void left by Alisson.

He was beaten far too easily by Bryan Mbeumo within the second minute and looked nervy, spilling a cross soon after.

Did bail out Milos Kerkez after a poor back pass but it wasn’t exactly a convincing display.

Conor Bradley – 5

Bradley’s lack of form has been an issue, with yellow cards coming regularly, and he struggled again.

There wasn’t enough attacking quality from him, although he did manage to keep Matheus Cunha relatively quiet.

Ibrahima Konate – 6

Another out-of-form player, Konate was a rare positive in an awful first half, playing one superb through-ball to Alexander Isak and defending with purpose.

He was good again after the break, but then lost Harry Maguire far too easily for the winner.

Virgil van Dijk – 5

It’s not often that Van Dijk looks ruffled but he did here.

He was poor for the opener, not dealing with the run of Mbeumo, and generally looked uncomfortable.

Vital tackle before Cody Gakpo‘s equaliser, but not a day the captain will want to remember.

Milos Kerkez – 3

Kerkez was again preferred to Andy Robertson at left-back and again endured a dreadful afternoon.

The Hungarian was a constant weak link defensively, which didn’t help Van Dijk, and was guilty of sending aimless crosses into the box – one of his eight crosses was accurate (according to FotMob stats).

Hasn’t been a good start to his Liverpool career and Robertson should be playing instead.

Ryan Gravenberch – 6

Gravenberch was far from his best but he did at least try to make things happen in possession.

He was crisp on the ball and worked hard before going off after suffering an ankle injury.

Alexis Mac Allister – 4

Mac Allister hasn’t been the player of last season and this was another real struggle.

In fairness, he was clattered in the lead up to Mbeumo’s goal, but he doesn’t look remotely fit in the opening months of the season.

A huge reason for the Reds’ struggles. Not sure why he started this after international commitments, it never works.

Dominik Szoboszlai – 6 (Man of the Match)

Unconfirmed reports that Szoboszlai is suffering from dizziness post-match from being made to play the okey cokey again; No.10, then right-back, then centre-midfield.

Like Gravenberch, there were attempts to break the lines, and he did well at right-back in the second half once again.

Not perfect, but better than the rest.

Mohamed Salah – 3

Salah loves playing against United but he was awful except for one immaculate through-ball to Gakpo.

Far too many passes and cross were off target and the fact that Arne Slot replaced him when needing a goal sums up his current form.

Cody Gakpo – 6

Gakpo got the nod on the left flank despite some frustration around his recent performances.

The Dutchman was easily Liverpool’s most effective attacker, seeing two shots and a deflected cross hit the post.

Equalised from close range but then missed a sitter to make it 2-2.

Alexander Isak – 5

This was a big day for Isak, with Liverpool badly needing their record signing to find an extra gear.

But again he looked far from 100 percent fit and barring one shot that was saved there wasn’t a lot to write home about.

Only four touches in United’s penalty area.

 

Substitutes

Hugo Ekitike (on for Mac Allister, 61′) – 6 – Added a spark, had a couple of shots. Should be starting matches.

Florian Wirtz (on for Bradley, 61′) – 6 – Produced some nice first-time passes but more still required. Strangely used in a two-man midfield with Jones; it was never going to work.

Curtis Jones (on for Gravenberch, 61′) – 6 – Driving run and shot – tried to bring some energy.

Federico Chiesa (on for Isak, 72′) – 7 – Assisted Gakpo’s goal – needs to be playing more.

Jeremie Frimpong (on for Salah, 86′) – 7 – Created a huge chance for Gakpo and sent in another great cross.

Subs not used: Woodman, Gomez, Robertson, Ngumoha

 

Arne Slot – 4

For the first time, Slot is under genuine pressure following four successive defeats, leaving Liverpool in a crisis by their standards.

The decision to leave out Wirtz and start Mac Allister felt baffling, and the opening 45 minutes were alarming, mainly in terms of how open the Reds were.

Went to 4-2-4 after the break, which felt like panic tactics more than anything, with Liverpool losing their shape and predictably conceding a winner.

A massive response is needed from Slot, who will rightly earn plenty of criticism after losing to a bad United side.