Liverpool thumped in five goals at Old Trafford as they recorded a 5-0 victory away to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.
Mohamed Salah will steal the headlines after he scored a hat-trick, now scoring in 10 consecutive games. Liverpool were dominant from start to finish as their high press nullified United and put them under the cosh early on.
United were all over the place, particularly in central midfield and defense, as Liverpool easily put five goals past David De Gea.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer selected the same side as he did midweek in their 3-2 comeback win against Serie A side Atalanta and the defensive issues in that game followed them here.
Jurgen Klopp even had Sadio Mane on the bench, with Diogo Jota coming into the starting line up, as he made two changes from their 3-2 win away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. Ibrahima Konate came in for Joel Matip in their other change.
Here’s the player ratings from Liverpool’s dismantlement in Manchester.
? Man Utd’s heaviest home PL defeats:
1-6 v Man City, Oct 2011
1-6 v Tottenham, Oct 2020
0-5 v Liverpool, Oct 2021 pic.twitter.com/uTC4LON3kQ— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 24, 2021
Manchester United
David De Gea – 5
You have got to feel sorry for De Gea as he has certainly not been the issue for United this season. Defense was the issue and Liverpool were left with so much time and space to convert their chances. Made a couple of decent saves.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 4
Pushed way too high in the build up to Liverpool’s first goal and was caught out. Poor performance here but marginally better than the rest of the United defense.
Victor Lindelof – 3
Looked all over the place as Liverpool pulled the United defense apart.
Harry Maguire – 3
Booked for a challenge on Jota, sliding effort that completely took the man. Looked out of position and was not assured at the back whatsoever, poor performance.
Luke Shaw – 3
There was so much space down his side as he was sitting way too narrow and was out of position frequently. Also got caught in a mix up with Maguire in the build up to Liverpool’s first goal.
Fred – 4
Was a bit sloppy with his passes and the Liverpool midfield had a field day as they completely walked over United’s midfield. Lack of strength.
Scott McTominay – 4
Similar performance to Fred as Liverpool walked all over United’s midfield.
Mason Greenwood – 5
Had an effort in the first half that was saved by Alisson and created a couple of chances before being subbed off at half time for Pogba.
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5
Had an early opportunity for United but lashed his effort over the bar. Created a few chances and was one of United’s better players before being subbed off just after the hour mark.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 6
Was played in behind the Liverpool defense in the first half but his effort was saved by Alisson. Booked for aggressive challenges on Jones and you could see his frustration from the game. Thought he pulled a goal back for United, afer a good ball played in behind by Maguire, before cutting in and finishing well into the bottom right corner but it was disallowed by VAR for offside. Scarcely involved.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Had a decent effort inside 10 minutes, driving forward with the ball before he took an effort from outside the area that went just past the post. Had a few moments where he looked threatening but did not offer much.
Substitutions
Paul Pogba – 1
The former Juventus man was brought on at half time to replace Mason Greenwood. Was originally booked just before the hour mark for a dangerous lunge on Keita but was rightfully dismissed following a VAR review.
Diogo Dalot – N/A
Edinson Cavani – N/A
Mo Salah. That's it. That's the tweet. pic.twitter.com/pSh9UK8Kfk
— Goal (@goal) October 24, 2021
Liverpool
Alisson – 6
Had very little to do but made a couple of decent saves when called upon.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9
Pushed well down the right with a high press on Shaw. Looked to get on the overlap and put in a great cross across goal for Jota tap in. Was hardly troubled defensively and also created four chances in the match. Fantastic performance.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7
Was not troubled too much but was solid as ever at the back for Liverpool. Accurate with his distribution from the back with 96% pass accuracy.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Similarly to Van Dijk, Konate had very little to do but did well when called upon. Won a few decent headers at the back.
Andrew Robertson – 7
Solid performance by Robertson and was hardly ever threatened defensively. Alexander-Arnold was the main creator out of the two offensive-minded Liverpool full-backs.
James Milner – N/A
Subbed off for Curtis Jones in first half due to injury.
Jordan Henderson – 8.5
Looked to drop deep and pick the ball up from the center-backs as he dictated the tempo. Played a brilliant ball into Salah with the outside of his right foot for Liverpool’s fifth goal and also completed the most passes in the match with 128 at a 96% pass accuracy.
Naby Keita – 9
Gave Liverpool the lead inside five minutes after being played in on goal by Salah and then easily converted from close range past De Gea. Was also involved in the build up to the second goal when he played the ball onto Alexander-Arnold. Provided the assist as well for Salah’s first goal. An impressive performance that was cut short after he was stretchered off following the Pogba challenge.
Mohamed Salah – 10
Has now scored in 10 consecutive matches after he sealed his hat-trick at Old Trafford, becoming only the second player to do so for Liverpool against United in the Premier League after Dirk Kuyt. Clinical as ever in front of goal by arguably the best player in the world right now.
Roberto Firmino – 7.5
A good performance by Firmino here and helped link the play in attack. Very solid display.
Diogo Jota – 8
Scored Liverpool’s second after just 13 minutes from close range, following a great ball by Alexander-Arnold. Created three chances in the match and also provided the assist for Salah’s second goal and Liverpool’s fourth.
Substitutions
Curtis Jones – 6.5
Fairly solid performance by Jones after he was subbed on early for Milner in the first half. Kept possession excellently.