Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick at Old Trafford on Sunday evening as Liverpool put five goals past Manchester United to seal a 5-0 away victory in the Premier League.
It was a truly impressive performance by Jurgen Klopp’s side here as United were in complete disarray, particularly in midfield and defense.
Salah became only the second Liverpool player to score a hat-trick against United in Premier League history, with the first player to be Dirk Kuyt back in 2011.
The highest-scoring African player in @PremierLeague history.?
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 24, 2021
Incredible, @MoSalah ? pic.twitter.com/BlUXCjM6Kr
Jurgen Klopp made two changes from their Champions League win over Atletico midweek, with Diogo Jota and Ibrahima Konate coming in for Sadio Mane and Joel Matip respectively.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named an unchanged line up from their 3-2 win over over Atalanta in midweek, despite the clear defensive issues they had in the first half, and the issues were evident once again in what was an embarrassing performance from United.
Surprisingly, the Red Devils had a great opportunity to take the lead in the match when Bruno Fernandes was played in. There was some nice build up play in the lead up to the chance between Fred, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo but Fernandes lashed his shot over the bar.
We’ll be left wondering what might have been if he was able to score from the opportunity.
However, from there it was pretty much all Liverpool as they looked dangerous early on and they were rewarded after just five minutes through Naby Keita.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka pushed way too high up the pitch, pulling the United defenders out of position, as Liverpool had plenty of space to operate. Salah was able to play Keita through on goal who had plenty of time to easily convert past De Gea.
The Reds doubled their lead after just 13 minutes with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw both hesitating to deal with a ball from Andrew Robertson in the build up. Keita was able to play in Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was making a great overlapping run down the right, before putting across a superb ball for Jota to convert easily from close range.
What a result ?⚽️ #YNWA pic.twitter.com/5pucifHt4n
— Diogo Jota (@DiogoJota18) October 24, 2021
United could not deal with the Liverpool high press and lost possession in their own defensive third three times inside the first 20 minutes of the game. Any attacks which United had were dealt well with by the Liverpool defense.
There was a bit of fortune for Liverpool’s third goal as the ball luckily fell to Keita down the right flank but the Guinean midfielder was given far too much time and space before cutting the ball back for Salah to convert.
Salah then grabbed his brace and Liverpool’s fourth before half time, once again finding acres of space down the right flank. It was a clinical finish once again by the Egyptian who has now scored a goal in 10 consecutive games.
The half time whistle was met with boos from the Old Trafford crowd, as it was against Atalanta midweek, but this time they did not see a comeback.
Thousands of Manchester United fans leaving Old Trafford ? pic.twitter.com/OAhkwy75iW
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 24, 2021
Salah completed his hat-trick just five minutes into the second half, making an excellent run in behind to get on the end of a superb ball on the outside of the boot by Jordan Henderson, who also had a fine game in midfield.
To add insult to injury, Paul Pogba, who was subbed on at half time for Mason Greenwood, received a deserved red card for a dangerous lunge on Keita.
It was the first time Liverpool had scored five goals at Old Trafford since 1936 and United will be well and truly embarrassed by their performance here as they were pulled apart by Liverpool.
Things are not looking great for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the pressure builds on the Norwegian, with United now failing to win in their last four Premier League games.
Liverpool will be delighted with their display as they took United apart and are yet to lose in all competitions this season, sitting just one point behind league leaders Chelsea.
MATCH SCORECARD
October 20, 2021 – Premier League 2021-22 Round 9
MANCHESTER UNITED – LIVERPOOL 0-5
SCORERS: 5′ Keita, 13′ Jota, 38′ Salah, 45+5′ Salah, 50′ Salah (L)
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MANCHESTER UTD (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood (45′ Pogba), Fernandes (62′ Cavani), Rashford (62′ Dalot); Cristiano Ronaldo (Henderson, Bailly, Matic, Lingard, Sancho, Van De Beek) Coach: Solskjaer |
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LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Keita (64′ Oxlade-Chamberlain), Milner (27′ Jones); Salah, Firmino (77′ Mane), Jota (Adrian, Gomez, Matip, Tsimikas, Minamino, Origi) Coach: Klopp |
REFEREE: Anthony Taylor
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Shaw, Ronaldo, Fred, Fernandes, Maguire (M); Red Card: Pogba (M); Added Time: 1st Half 3′, 2nd Half 3′