Liverpool outclassed Manchester United to surreal proportions this Sunday at Anfield and ended the Red Devils’ 11-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. It is an understatement to say that it was a surprise, when the Reds had exploded in flight ten days ago against Real Madrid, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (2-5), while the Mancunians had just won their first trophy in six years last week in the League Cup (2-0 against Newcastle).
But this Liverpool is as irregular as it can be irresistible, as was the case this Sunday in the second half. Jürgen Klopp’s players led 1-0 at the break thanks to Cody Gakpo, who rolled up a shot from the left after being ideally served by Robertson (43rd). But MU then gave no sign of concern and even got a few good chances, between a strike from Antony repelled by Alisson, a header from Bruno Fernandes just next door (26th) and a strike from Rashford too soft (31st).
Erik Ten Hag’s players, however, forgot to come out of the locker room and they got chopped up by a team that reminded them that they were capable of playing at breakneck speed. This was particularly the case on the third and fourth goals, which came after counterattacks from more than 60 meters. Gakpo offered himself a double with a clever dive after a very long one-two with Salah, who had broken the kidneys of Lisandro Martinez three times (3-0, 51st). The Egyptian took advantage of a ball from Nunez deflected by McTominay to place a strike with crazy force (4-0, 66th).
Salah passed Fowler
The Uruguayan had meanwhile scored the second goal with a header on a serve from Elliott (47th), before doing it again, this time from a cross from Henderson (5-0, 75th). Nothing worked for the Red Devils, who found the post by Rashford (73rd) and conceded two new goals, by Salah on a pool shot (83rd), and by Firmino who came into play shortly before (88th). The Egyptian also became the Reds’ all-time Premier League top scorer with 129, ahead of Robbie Fowler (128).
As well as haunting Mancunian fans for decades, this historic setback almost definitively buries any chance of a league title for United, who are 14 points behind Arsenal but one game less. Liverpool, meanwhile, are getting back into the Champions League race, coming within three points of Tottenham with also a late game to play.
