Manchester United fans recognise the pre-match shiver of optimism. Maybe it is blind hope but they know that their team has been able to raise their level in some of the very biggest Premier League matches under Ruben Amorim. They know there have been signs of improvement this season. And was this not a good time to play Liverpool?

It is often the case that it is the prompt for a sharp reality check. After all, nobody ever really knows which United will turn up. Here, it was the version that Amorim has craved, the one he has claimed has been ready to show itself on a regular basis.

United had not won at Anfield for nine years. They had never previously recorded back-to-back league victories under Amorim. They chased the demons from their backs with a performance and result to offer the promise of better times.

They rode their luck. Liverpool hit the woodwork three times, twice through the ever dangerous Cody Gakpo. And in the 87th minute, before the eight that were added on for stoppages, Gakpo somehow blew a close-range header when completely unmarked in front of...