Liverpool secured f a record 7-0 victory over bitter rivals Manchester United after a stunning second-half performance today.
The home side had the better of the opening 20 minutes. They came close to breaking the deadlock early on, but Lisandro Martinez was on hand to prevent Darwin Nunez from netting.
The Red Devils came back into the game and had a great chance to score, but Bruno Fernandes headed wide from Diogo Dalot’s cross.
Luke Shaw then picked out Marcus Rashford with a long pass, but the in-form Englishman failed to get a clean connection on his volley.
They thought they had opened the scoring shortly before halftime when Casemiro headed in from a free kick. However, the offside flag brought his celebrations to a quick halt.
Liverpool took the lead moments later. Andy Robertson played a through ball to Cody Gakpo, who cut inside and bent a brilliant strike into the far corner.
Jurgen Klopp’s side took complete control of the game and cruised to victory after the break.
Nunez doubled his side’s advantage early in the second half, nodding in from close range from Harvey Elliott’s cross.
And they added another shortly afterwards. Mohamed Salah got the better of Martinez and slipped a ball through to Gakpo, who clipped in from a tight angle for his second and Liverpool’s third.
It wasn’t long before Salah got in on the act. Nunez’s pass deflected kindly into the path of the Egyptian, and he emphatically finished in off the crossbar.
Down the other end, Man United were limited to very few chances. One of them came when Rashford was played through on goal, but he could only hit the outside of the post after rounding Alisson.
In the closing stages, the home side continued to rub salt into the wounds. Nunez added another to his personal tally, finding the far corner with a pinpoint header from Jordan Henderson’s cross.
Salah joined Nunez and Gakpo on a brace shortly afterwards. The ball bounced around in the box and found the winger, who slammed in from close range.
With two minutes remaining, Liverpool put the finishing touches on a memorable afternoon. Salah found second-half substitute Roberto Firmino, who notched his tenth of the season from a tight angle.
The result was Man Utd’s heaviest defeat since 1931 and their biggest loss against Liverpool. As for the Reds, they closed the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur to just three points.
Liverpool
Alisson (6/10) – Had one nervous moment in the second half. Solid otherwise.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (8/10) – Handled the threat of Rashford well and played some brilliant passes.
Ibrahima Konate (7/10) – Hardly challenged. Handled the physicality of Weghorst well.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10) – Also didn’t come under much pressure. A spectator for the most part.
Andy Robertson (9/10) – Relentlessly energetic down the left. Wonderful pass for Gakpo’s opener.
Fabinho (8/10) – Helped his side control the game in midfield.
Jordan Henderson (9/10) – Ran plenty, kept the ball, and grabbed an assist. A very strong game.
Harvey Elliott (8/10) – Maintained control in the middle of the park. Assisted Nunez’s first.
Mohamed Salah (10/10) *MOTM* – Electric from start to finish. Tore Utd’s backline to pieces and deservedly ended with two goals and two assists.
Cody Gakpo (9/10) – Scored two brilliant goals. Caused all sorts of problems for Utd’s centre-backs.
Darwin Nunez (9/10) – Constantly involved, hard-working, and scored twice. Possibly his best display since arriving in England.
Substitutes
Diogo Jota (7/10)
Stefan Bajcetic (7/10)
James Milner (7/10)
Roberto Firmino (8/10)
Curtis Jones (NA/10)
Manchester United
David de Gea (4/10) – Perhaps harsh to blame him for the goals. Didn’t make many saves of note.
Diogo Dalot (3/10) – Really struggled against Nunez and Gakpo. Caught out of position too often.
Raphael Varane (4/10) – Did little to stop the wave of Liverpool goals. Partially at fault for opener.
Lisandro Martinez (3/10) – Had a reasonably solid first half. Fell to pieces after the break.
Luke Shaw (2/10) – The worst of an awful Man Utd side. Completely destroyed by Salah and responsible for multiple goals.
Casemiro (4/10) – Way off his best. Was completely overrun in the second half.
Fred (4/10) – Struggled to maintain control in midfield. Substituted early in the second half.
Antony (4/10) – Had a couple of shots from distance, but didn’t do much to test the Liverpool defence.
Bruno Fernandes (3/10) – Missed a good chance at 0-0. Frustration showed in the second half.
Marcus Rashford (4/10) – Very quiet for the most part. Missed two good opportunities.
Wout Weghorst (4/10) – Worked hard, but couldn’t threaten the Liverpool backline.
Substitutes
Scott McTominay (3/10)
Alejandro Garnacho (4/10)
Tyrell Malacia (4/10)
Marcel Sabitzer (4/10)
Anthony Elanga (NA/10)
