(Football news) Since that 7-0 shellacking at Anfield in March 2023, Manchester United had avoided defeat in their last three competitive encounters with Liverpool, drawing both league games last season before their incredible 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final victory over the Reds.

Liverpool thought they had taken the lead with their first real foray into their opponents’ box with Ryan Gravenberch cutting a dangerous ball back from the byline into the path of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who fired a powerful shot over the line only for the goal to be ruled out for an offside on Salah in the build-up.

However, Arne Slot’s side began to dictate the game after that early disappointment and got their reward in the 35th minute when a loose pass from Casemiro allowed Gravenberch to set Salah on his way, and the Egyptian found Luis Diaz on the far post for a simple headed finish.

Casemiro’s afternoon got worse before the interval as another error saw Diaz win back possession and play a neat one-two with Salah before unleashing a low right-footed shot past Andre Onana and into the back of the net.

The gulf in class between the sides in the first half was evident, and while Manchester United had the lion’s share of possession, they never really looked likely to trouble Alisson in the Liverpool goal.

Liverpool picked up where they left off in the second period and put the game to bed in the 56th minute, when Dominik Szoboszlai fed none other than Salah, who made no mistake with his first-time shot beyond a despairing Onana.

Manchester United barely had a sniff in the second half and the Reds saw out the match with ease to go second in the Premier League standings after three matches, while the Red Devils are now down to 14th place with three points in as many games.

Alexander-Arnold disallowed goal vs. Man Utd (7th min, Man Utd 0-0 Liverpool)

Reds’ celebrations cut short after VAR chalked off the goal for offside on Salah who attempted to play the cut-back from beyond the last defender in the build-up.

Luiz Diaz goal vs. Man Utd (35th min, Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah kept up his incredible record of goal contributions against the Red Devils, setting up Diaz with an inch-perfect cross for an easy finish to take the lead at Old Trafford.

Luiz Diaz goal vs. Man Utd (42th min, Man Utd 0-2 Liverpool)

Another error by Casemiro led to Salah and Diaz combining again, with the Egyptian setting up the Brazilian for Liverpool’s second goal of the afternoon, putting the Reds in a commanding position heading into the half-time break.

Two assists for the Egyptian, two goals for the Brazilian!

Mohamed Salah goal vs. Man Utd (56th min, Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool)

Salah – who else? – puts the match to bed before the hour-mark with a third goal for the Reds and his 10th in nine appearances at Old Trafford across all competitions.

MAN OF THE MATCH – MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL)

Not much to discuss here. While Diaz was a worthy candidate, he was hooked shortly after the hour-mark, while the Reds’ number 11 continued to extend his incredible record against United and looked menacing every time he touched the ball in and around the opponents’ box.

Two assists, one goal. Job done for the Egyptian King!

MAN UTD VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS

Possession: Manchester Utd 53%-47% Liverpool

Shots: Manchester Utd 8-11 Liverpool

Shots on target: Manchester Utd 3-3 Liverpool

Corners: Manchester Utd 5-2 Liverpool

Fouls: Manchester Utd 7-7 Liverpool

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