It was one of those nights at Anfield that fans will remember for a long time — the kind filled with drama, passion, and a shocking twist that left even the most experienced players speechless. Liverpool versus Manchester United has always been a war of pride and legacy, but this time, something unusual happened. When the final whistle blew and the scoreboard showed 2–1 in favor of Manchester United, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was seen shaking his head in disbelief. Later, his words would set the football world on fire: “He nearly gave me a heart attack.” But he wasn’t talking about Bruno Fernandes or Marcus Rashford. The name on his lips was Matheus Cunha — the Brazilian striker who had just delivered one of the most electrifying performances Anfield had seen in years.
Van Dijk’s confession came moments after the game, in a brief post-match interview that quickly went viral across every platform. The Dutch defender looked exhausted, his expression a mix of admiration and frustration. “Even till now, I’m still wondering how he managed to put on that kind of performance at Anfield,” he said. “He played as if it was a final match — he was the only Manchester United player who nearly gave me a heart attack.” For a player as calm and composed as Van Dijk to admit that says everything about what happened that night.
From the very first minute, Cunha was on fire. The Brazilian didn’t just play with intensity — he played with purpose. Every time he touched the ball, Liverpool’s defenders panicked. His speed, power, and fearless movement unsettled a defense that was usually one of the best in Europe. He chased every loose ball, pressed Alisson into mistakes, and bullied both Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté with the kind of aggression that made even the Anfield crowd sit up in disbelief. “At one point, even Konaté was afraid to mark him,” Van Dijk admitted later. “You could see it — he was that sharp, that confident, that powerful. He played with no fear at all.”
The way Cunha approached the game was something different. He didn’t wait for the ball to come to him — he hunted it down. Every pass, every duel, every second ball felt like a personal challenge to him. The Liverpool backline, known for its structure and coordination, looked disorganized for the first time in months. And every time United broke forward, it was Cunha leading the charge. His hold-up play was flawless, his ability to turn defenders under pressure was world-class, and his energy never seemed to fade.
Inside the Liverpool dressing room after the match, Cunha’s name was on everyone’s lips. According to reports, even Alisson Becker couldn’t believe how dominant his fellow Brazilian had been. A source close to the club told *The Telegraph*, “Even after the match, Van Dijk and a few others couldn’t stop talking about him. They said he played with the kind of hunger that made it feel like a cup final. They admitted he was the main reason they couldn’t build rhythm from the back.” Another player reportedly joked, “We didn’t know if we were playing against Manchester United or Matheus Cunha FC — he was everywhere.”
It wasn’t just his attacking that caught attention — it was his complete performance. Cunha defended from the front, tracked back when United lost possession, and pressed like a man possessed. At one point, he sprinted nearly 50 yards to recover a ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, drawing loud applause even from neutral fans. His energy lifted the entire United squad, and every time he challenged Van Dijk, there was tension in the air. The Dutch defender, who rarely shows emotion during games, was visibly irritated and impressed at the same time.
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Much of the credit for this transformation goes to Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese coach has been a breath of fresh air at Old Trafford, bringing discipline, clarity, and tactical brilliance. Against Liverpool, Amorim’s plan was clear — use Cunha as both a striker and a disruptor. He wasn’t just there to score; he was there to destroy Liverpool’s rhythm. Amorim gave him the freedom to drift between lines, to drag Van Dijk out of position, and to press Liverpool’s buildup. It was a tactical masterstroke. Former United legend Rio Ferdinand described it perfectly: “Cunha wasn’t just playing as a striker — he was playing as a disruptor. Amorim gave him freedom to move, and he used it perfectly. You could see Liverpool didn’t know how to handle him.”
For months, Amorim had been working quietly with Cunha behind the scenes, trying to unleash the version of him that Premier League fans are now beginning to see. The Brazilian, who struggled with consistency at Wolves, needed confidence and trust. Amorim gave him both. “He believes in me,” Cunha said in a recent interview. “He tells me to play with courage, to enjoy the fight, and to lead the team from the front.” That belief was fully on display at Anfield.
Even Van Dijk, known for his professionalism, couldn’t hide his respect. “As a defender, you respect players who push you to the limit,” he said after the match. “I can admit when someone plays an incredible game — and he did. He was everywhere, and we couldn’t find an answer. Sometimes football is like that. You face someone who just won’t stop.” These weren’t words of bitterness; they were words of admiration from one great professional to another
Liverpool fans, though heartbroken, were quick to acknowledge what they had witnessed. On social media, thousands of fans admitted Cunha was “unplayable.” One fan wrote, “Van Dijk admitting Cunha gave him a heart attack — that’s the biggest compliment a striker can get.” Another Liverpool supporter added, “He bullied one of the best defenders in the world and made it look easy. You just have to respect that.”
Cunha’s rise at Manchester United has been nothing short of remarkable. When he first arrived, few expected him to become a central figure under Amorim. But his blend of power, pace, and determination has made him indispensable. He’s not just scoring goals — he’s setting the tone for the entire team. Every time he presses, the rest of the squad follows. Every time he wins a duel, the crowd roars. He has become the emotional engine of this new United.
Comparisons have started to emerge. Pundits now speak of him in the same breath as Didier Drogba and Diego Costa — strikers who didn’t just play football but dominated opponents mentally and physically. Cunha’s playing style mirrors that of Costa during his Chelsea days — direct, fearless, and full of controlled aggression. Yet, he has his own flair — the touch of Brazilian creativity that makes him unpredictable.
United fans have embraced him completely. They see him as the embodiment of the new era Amorim is building — hungry, determined, and unafraid of anyone. His celebrations are passionate, his work rate relentless, and his attitude infectious. “He plays like a man who’s fighting for something bigger than himself,” one fan said. “That’s what we’ve missed for years.”
For Van Dijk, the experience will be one he won’t forget easily. The Liverpool captain has faced the best — from Erling Haaland to Kylian Mbappé — but Cunha’s performance seemed to surprise him because of its unpredictability. The Dutchman later admitted, “We prepared for their wingers, we prepared for Bruno — but this guy was the surprise. He controlled the game in a way we didn’t expect. Full credit to him.” That line alone tells you how effective Amorim’s tactical plan was.
The Anfield defeat stung Liverpool deeply. It wasn’t just losing to their greatest rivals — it was being dominated by a player they hadn’t even seen coming. Inside the Liverpool camp, Slot’s coaching staff were reportedly left scrambling to figure out what went wrong. They had prepared for United’s usual patterns but were caught off guard by Amorim’s flexibility.
For Amorim and United, it was a statement victory. The win not only boosted their confidence but also sent a message to the rest of the league: this United side has rediscovered its identity. And at the heart of that revival is a Brazilian warrior who doesn’t stop running.
As the days passed, more players and pundits began speaking about Cunha’s performance. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher called it “a lesson in modern centre-forward play.” Gary Neville described it as “the kind of display United fans dream about — aggression, intelligence, and courage all in one.” Even rival fans admitted it was one of the best individual performances of the season.
Cunha himself, when asked about Van Dijk’s comments, responded humbly: “That means a lot coming from a great player like him. I just play my game and give everything. I respect him a lot. He’s one of the best defenders in the world.”
For a player who once struggled for consistency, this humility shows how much he has matured. Under Amorim, Cunha isn’t just improving technically — he’s growing mentally. The manager’s emphasis on teamwork and tactical intelligence has turned him into a complete striker.
And as United fans celebrate, Liverpool will no doubt go back to the drawing board. They’ve seen what happens when an opponent plays without fear at Anfield. Cunha didn’t just beat them — he challenged everything they stood for: composure, dominance, control.
The night may have ended in heartbreak for Liverpool, but for football fans, it was a reminder of why the game remains magical. One player, one fearless performance, can change everything.
Van Dijk’s confession — “He nearly gave me a heart attack” — isn’t just a funny quote; it’s a symbol of respect. When one of the world’s best defenders admits that a forward pushed him to the limit, it means something special has happened. It means that on that night, Anfield belonged not to Liverpool, but to Matheus Cunha.
And as the season continues, one thing is clear — the Premier League has a new nightmare for defenders. His name is Matheus Cunha, and as Van Dijk himself said, “You just have to respect that kind of performance.
