Liverpool’s ruthless performance at Old Trafford resulted in a convincing 3-0 victory over Manchester United, providing new manager Arne Slot with a perfect start to his tenure. Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz was at the heart of Liverpool’s triumph, scoring twice, while Mohamed Salah added another to seal the deal on Sunday. The comprehensive win has elevated Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table, alongside Manchester City, with three wins out of three.
This match was a significant test for Arne Slot, who has taken over the managerial reins from the highly successful Jurgen Klopp. The Dutch manager has quickly found his feet, maintaining a flawless record early in the season. On the flip side, Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag is already feeling the heat after suffering two consecutive defeats just three games into the new season. Ten Hag, who narrowly kept his job after guiding United to their worst Premier League finish of eighth last season, now finds himself under immense scrutiny.
The pressure on Ten Hag intensified after the loss, despite a hefty £200 million ($262 million) investment in the transfer market aimed at rejuvenating the squad. United’s weaknesses from the previous season were glaringly exposed by a superior and well-organized Liverpool side. Casemiro, once a stalwart in the midfield, had a particularly poor outing, making errors that led to both of Diaz’s goals. The Brazilian’s performance saw him substituted at half-time for the youthful Toby Collyer.
Before the match began, Manchester United showcased their new £42 million signing Manuel Ugarte, hoping the Uruguayan would fortify their midfield moving forward. However, Liverpool’s decision not to engage in the transfer market for a defensive midfielder paid off brilliantly. Slot’s strategic move to position Ryan Gravenberch in that role has proven to be an inspired one.
Jurgen Klopp had famously struggled in his away fixtures against United, winning only two out of 11 matches. Last season, Liverpool’s title hopes were dashed after failing to capitalize on their dominance at Old Trafford, finding themselves on the receiving end of a thrilling 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final loss and a 2-2 league draw. This time, however, Liverpool left no room for doubt and were relentless in their pursuit of victory, making a significant statement early in the season.
Liverpool’s aggressive approach was evident right from the start. Trent Alexander-Arnold initially appeared to have set up an opening goal for Diaz with a deflected cross.
. However, the goal was disallowed as the ball had struck Salah, who was in an offside position. Casemiro, who had been regaining form in the season’s initial matches, had a nightmare outing. His careless pass was intercepted by Gravenberch, who quickly set up Salah. Salah’s delicate cross found Diaz at the back post, who headed in the opener.
The match saw a crucial save from Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, who thwarted a powerful low shot from Noussair Mazraoui moments later. But the home side collapsed after conceding the second goal just before half-time. Casemiro lost possession to Diaz, who then burst into the box and finished Salah’s cross with precision.
Salah, who has made a habit of scoring against Manchester United, added a third goal in the 56th minute. His brilliant finish, set up by Dominik Szoboszlai, marked his 15th goal in 16 matches against the Red Devils. Salah’s strike extended his remarkable record of scoring in seven consecutive appearances at Old Trafford. Despite having further opportunities, Salah missed an additional close-range effort, much to the frustration of his teammates who were eager for a pass.
Alisson’s brilliance in goal continued as he made another outstanding save from Joshua Zirkzee, preserving Liverpool’s record of not conceding under Slot’s management. Liverpool’s early-season performances have dispelled any doubts about their capabilities of contending for the title, even without Klopp at the helm.
In contrast, Manchester United’s campaign has already hit turbulence, with Ten Hag facing a mountainous challenge to both stabilize his squad and meet the club’s ambitious expectations. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s strong start has not only bolstered their title aspirations but has also showcased Slot’s managerial acumen and tactical prowess.
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