Following Liverpool’s tough 2–1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield, it wasn’t the result that dominated headlines — it was a surprising confession from Liverpool striker Alexander Isak that captured global attention.
Despite his visible frustration over the loss, the Swedish forward took a moment to acknowledge the brilliance of one Manchester United player whose performance, he admitted, “completely stunned” him.
“Even though we lost, I have to be honest,” Isak said after the game. “That was the first time I’ve faced someone with that kind of intensity and control. He really surprised me tonight.”
What caught everyone off guard was who he was talking about. Instead of singling out Bruno Fernandes or Amad Diallo, Isak’s praise went to Matthijs de Ligt — the Dutch centre-back who delivered an outstanding, rock-solid display at the heart of United’s defense.
From kickoff to the final whistle, De Ligt was a wall. He dominated in the air, timed his tackles to perfection, and anticipated Liverpool’s attacking moves with remarkable precision. Both Isak and Salah found little success against him, as his awareness and composure frustrated every attacking attempt.
“What impressed me most wasn’t his size or strength,” Isak continued. “It was how smart he played. Before you even make a move, he’s already two steps ahead. That’s something only world-class defenders have.”
De Ligt’s performance was key to Manchester United’s first Premier League win at Anfield since 2016. Alongside Harry Maguire, who scored the decisive goal, the Dutch defender anchored a backline that absorbed pressure and allowed United to strike effectively on the counter.
Analysts hailed manager Rúben Amorim for trusting De Ligt in such a high-stakes match, calling it a “tactical masterstroke.”
Fans and pundits flooded social media with praise. Comments ranged from “That was vintage De Ligt — composed, dominant, and fearless” to “This is the version of De Ligt United fans have been waiting for.”
For the 26-year-old defender, the night marked a powerful comeback — a statement performance that reminded the football world of his immense potential after mixed spells at Bayern Munich and an inconsistent start in England.
As Isak summed it up perfectly: “He’s built like a wall but moves like a forward. I’ve faced some great defenders — Saliba, Gabriel, Díaz — but De Ligt is different. He doesn’t just defend; he commands.”
For Manchester United, the win represented far more than three points. It symbolized a resurgence under Amorim’s leadership — and for De Ligt, it was redemption: a defining moment where he silenced critics, proved his worth, and earned the respect of both teammates and rivals.
It wasn’t just another night at Anfield — it was the night Matthijs de Ligt reasserted himself as one of football’s elite defenders.
