In a rare show of candor and admiration, Liverpool manager Arne Slot left both fans and pundits stunned after openly praising a Manchester United player despite his team’s narrow 2–1 defeat at Anfield.
While Liverpool dominated large portions of the match, Slot admitted he was genuinely astonished by the brilliance of Matheus Cunha, whose masterful performance became one of the night’s biggest talking points.
Speaking with visible respect, Slot said, “My players gave their all, but this particular Manchester United player produced one of the finest performances I’ve ever witnessed. I didn’t anticipate that level of composure and quality — especially here at Anfield, where visiting players rarely shine. Cunha made things extremely difficult for us. His awareness, movement, and decision-making were world-class.”
The latest installment of the historic Liverpool–Manchester United rivalry lived up to expectations. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes secured a memorable win for United, while Liverpool’s late push fell short.
Still, all eyes were on Cunha, who stole the spotlight with his tireless work rate, creative spark, and unselfish link-up play. Operating as a false nine, he continually disrupted Liverpool’s back line, dragging Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté out of position with intelligent movement and seamless coordination with Rashford and Fernandes.
His pressing and vision led to key counterattacks, while his passing accuracy — an impressive 91% — and ability to win duels under pressure highlighted a complete attacking performance.
Slot later confessed that Liverpool’s tactical plan hadn’t fully accounted for Cunha’s impact. “We prepared to stop Rashford and Fernandes,” he explained, “but Cunha was the surprise factor. His energy, discipline, and understanding of space were outstanding.”
Even sections of the Anfield crowd reportedly applauded Cunha at full-time — a rare gesture of respect toward a rival.
On social media, fans from both sides praised the Brazilian’s brilliance. Liverpool supporters admired his intelligence and composure, while United fans hailed him as the “breakout star of Rúben Amorim’s era.”
United manager Rúben Amorim was equally full of praise: “Cunha’s performance was defining. He’s not just a striker — he’s a creator and a leader. His vision lifts the entire team.”
Former striker Robin van Persie described Cunha’s outing as “a complete centre-forward performance,” while Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher admitted that the Brazilian “influenced the game in ways few could have predicted.”
On a night brimming with drama and intensity, Matheus Cunha didn’t just help Manchester United claim a famous win — he earned the respect of Liverpool’s manager and fans alike.
Arne Slot summed it up best: “Sometimes, you must recognize greatness when you see it — and tonight, it came from a Manchester United player.”
It wasn’t merely a strong showing — it was a statement of intent, proving Cunha’s rise as one of the Premier League’s most intelligent and complete forwards.
