Arne Slot Hails Manchester United’s Surprise Hero After Liverpool Defeat: “He Shocked Me With His Brilliance”

In one of the most emotionally charged fixtures of the Premier League season, Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield was more than just another chapter in English football’s greatest rivalry. It was a story of unexpected brilliance — one that even Liverpool boss Arne Slot couldn’t ignore.

Speaking moments after the final whistle, Slot — usually calm, measured, and fiercely analytical — was unusually animated as he addressed reporters. His words, filled with both admiration and disbelief, were directed not at one of his own players but at Manchester United’s new Brazilian forward, Matheus Cunha, who stole the show under the brightest of lights.

“My boys gave everything to win,” Slot began, his voice still echoing with emotion, “but that particular Manchester United player gave me one of the most shocking performances I’ve ever seen. I wasn’t expecting such brilliance from him — especially not here at Anfield.”

The Dutch tactician didn’t stop there. He continued to praise Cunha’s tactical awareness, his fearless movement, and his relentless pressing that disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm throughout the match. “He made things very difficult for us,” Slot admitted. “The way he handled pressure, his control, his awareness — that wasn’t luck. That was pure quality.”

For fans watching, it was clear exactly what he meant. Cunha — signed in the summer under Ruben Amorim’s new regime — delivered a masterclass in modern attacking play. Operating as a false nine, he constantly dropped deep to link with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, pulling Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté out of position. His intelligence without the ball was just as vital as his composure with it.

Liverpool, who dominated possession for long spells, couldn’t find their usual rhythm. Every time Alisson or Trent Alexander-Arnold tried to build from the back, Cunha was there, pressing ferociously, forcing hurried passes, and turning defensive transitions into attacking opportunities for United. His effort was so consistent that by full time, even rival fans took notice.

The stats only told half the story — 91% pass accuracy, eight duels won, two big chances created — but the eye test was enough. His touch was sharp, his awareness electric, and his decision-making clinical. Fernandes’ opener came directly from Cunha’s clever movement, while Rashford’s winner arrived after another tireless counter led by the Brazilian’s pressing.

Arne Slot later expanded on his admiration during his post-match press conference, revealing just how much Cunha had disrupted Liverpool’s plans. “We prepared for Rashford, for Fernandes, for their set pieces,” Slot explained. “But Cunha… he was the surprise. His work rate was extraordinary. Even when we thought he was out of the game, he came alive again. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that kind of hunger at Anfield from a visiting striker.”

The reaction from the crowd was just as telling. As Cunha walked off the pitch at full time, sections of the Anfield faithful were seen applauding — a rare moment of respect in a rivalry so fierce. On social media, Liverpool fans echoed the same sentiment. “You don’t often see us clapping a United player,” one supporter wrote. “But he deserved it — he ran our defense ragged.”

Inside Manchester United’s dressing room, manager Ruben Amorim was all smiles. The Portuguese coach, who has been steadily reshaping United’s identity, described Cunha’s performance as his “defining moment” in red. “He’s been patient,” Amorim said proudly. “He’s been adapting, learning, improving every week. Tonight, he showed exactly why we brought him here. His mentality is outstanding.”

Amorim hinted that this performance could earn Cunha a permanent spot in his preferred starting XI, praising not just his technical skills but his selflessness and tactical intelligence. “He’s not just a striker — he’s a thinker,” Amorim emphasized. “He reads the game beautifully and sacrifices for the team. That’s what Manchester United is about.”

Pundits, too, were full of praise. Former United forward Robin van Persie, working as a Premier League analyst, described Cunha’s display as “complete and mature.” “He didn’t just attack — he made everyone around him better,” van Persie noted. “That’s the mark of an elite player.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher admitted on Sky Sports that Cunha “completely threw Liverpool off balance.” “You expect Rashford or Fernandes to be the danger men,” Carragher said, “but it was Cunha who did the damage. His confidence and discipline were unbelievable for someone so new to this fixture.”

As the night drew to a close, one thing was clear — the rivalry had found a new chapter, and a new protagonist. Matheus Cunha didn’t just play well; he conquered Anfield with courage, intelligence, and an unrelenting work ethic that earned applause from even his fiercest critics.

Arne Slot’s final words captured the mood perfectly: “Sometimes, as a manager, you just have to acknowledge greatness when you see it. Tonight, that greatness came from a Manchester United player — and he deserved every bit of applause he received.”

For Cunha, it wasn’t just a performance — it was a statement. In a match soaked in passion, noise, and rivalry, he rose above the chaos to announce himself as one of Manchester United’s brightest sparks under Ruben Amorim. If United truly are building something special, this could be remembered as the night their new era began — led by a Brazilian who silenced Anfield with brilliance.

Even the home fans stood and applauded him after full time.