(Football news) Few would have predicted a Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United scoreline ahead of this blockbuster fixture but that’s exactly what happened at Anfield. Two goals each from Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah while Roberto Firmino added the seventh, much to the jubilation of the home fans and the embarrassment of the visitors. The Red Devils entered into this match with a 11 game unbeaten streak, recently defeating Barcelona and winning the Carabao Cup trophy against Newcastle but were completely overwhelmed by Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The first half wasn’t too bad for Manchester United with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford failing to convert opportunities but had more shots on target than the hosts. However, the tide turned when Cody Gakpo’s wonderful finish in the 43rd minute gave Liverpool the lead and what followed was an absolute onslaught with six goals in the second half.
The result means that Liverpool’s hopes for a potential top 4 finish are well and truly alive as the Reds are now above Newcastle in fifth place, three points behind fourth place Tottenham but have a game in hand. As for Manchester United, their seven year wait to secure a victory at Anfield continues and hopes of winning the Premier League are all but extinguished.
Speaking after the match, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said “I think it’s a huge difference because at Brentford we were 4-0 down at half-time. Today, we were the better team in the first half. In the first half, we created the better chances, we had two one-on-one with the goalkeeper, they didn’t. We made one mistake and conceded a goal, we were in the game, so it was a surprise that after half-time we gave the game away so quickly.
“We made bad decisions on the ball, how we anticipated, how we conceded the second goal was annoying. The third is a counter, so unprofessional, not following in, not tracking back, especially on that one, not tracking back. At 3-0, that is the game lost. You have to stick together, that is what we didn’t do. That surprised me. I have not seen that from my team. I don’t think it’s us. I don’t think it’s Manchester United. I analyse the performance of my team, how is their approach, how is their character, their mentality, how they deal with setbacks, I look at their body language. They did not cope with it. They did not fulfil their jobs.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said “It was spectacular. Even the start of the game was super lively, super front-foot, exactly what we needed. We played top football against a team in form. United have played a super season, we’re not happy with ours but that doesn’t mean anything for the game. We were the better side. It’s an important three points. There are 13 games to go, lots of points to go for. Tonight was perfect.
“Everyone has to feel us and know we’re still around. It wasn’t the case for a while. We showed tonight what we could be, what we can be and what we have to be from now on. We don’t talk about the scoreline, we just talk about the performance. It’s incredibly special – I don’t know the last time a crazy score happened like this. It’s one for the history books, not for the moment. We take all the positives apart from the scoreline – that’s a bit of a freak.”
Also read: Football timekeeping could change forever if this new rule is implemented
