This time Liverpool were ruthless and could easily have matched their record 5-0 victory away to United in 2021.
Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder Luis Diaz celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England. Pic/AFP
In a commanding display, Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, passed his first major test with flying colors, as the Reds dismantled Manchester United in a decisive 3-0 victory at Old Trafford. The match saw Liverpool’s Colombian winger Luis Diaz netting twice and Mohamed Salah adding a third, securing a third straight win under Slot’s tenure and maintaining their unblemished Premier League record.
Slot, who took over the reins from the highly acclaimed Jurgen Klopp, has faced immense pressure to sustain Liverpool’s high standards. Yet, with three wins from three, the Dutch manager sees his team share the top of the table with Manchester City. Contrarily, United’s Erik ten Hag finds himself under mounting scrutiny, having endured two losses in three matches. Ten Hag, who narrowly kept his job following the club’s worst Premier League finish last season, had hopes pegged on a fresh start and a significant £200 million investment in new signings. Yet, the glaring weaknesses of last season were laid bare once again.
Casemiro, the experienced Brazilian midfielder, was particularly culpable. At fault for both of Diaz’s goals, he found himself substituted at halftime for the youthful Toby Collyer. New £42 million signing Manuel Ugarte was unveiled to the home fans before the match, and there is now a palpable hope that the Uruguayan can offer the much-needed solidity in midfield.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have not been as active in the transfer market for defensive players. Slot’s bold decision to reposition Ryan Gravenberch as a defensive midfielder has paid dividends so far. Despite Klopp’s mixed results at Old Trafford—winning just two of his 11 visits—Slot’s Liverpool exhibited a ruthlessness that harked back to their 2021 mauling of United.
United did receive an early lifeline when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal was disallowed due to Salah’s offside position.
. However, it was a brief respite. Casemiro’s errant pass was intercepted by Gravenberch, whose quick thinking set up Salah for a delicate cross that Diaz headed in unchallenged.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, made a crucial save to deny Noussair Mazraoui, but United’s fragile defense would crumble not long after. Just minutes before halftime, Diaz capitalized on another Casemiro lapse, racing into the box to convert a perfectly-timed Salah cross.
The onslaught continued in the second half, with Salah inevitably finding the back of the net courtesy of a superb assist from Dominik Szoboszlai. This latest strike marks Salah’s 15th goal in 16 matches against United, solidifying his status as a perennial tormentor of the Red Devils. Salah could have added another to his tally, blazing over from close range while his teammates clamored for a pass.
Alisson’s heroics were not limited to just one save; he pulled off another stunning block to deny Joshua Zirkzee, ensuring Liverpool’s clean sheet under Slot remains intact.
Despite pre-season predictions favoring Arsenal as the most probable team to challenge Manchester City’s stranglehold on the title, Liverpool have made a formidable case that they too are serious contenders. Their performances under Slot have been nothing short of impressive, casting aside any doubts about their potential to reclaim their former glory even without Klopp.
The emphatic win at Old Trafford serves as a stark warning to the rest of the Premier League: Liverpool under Arne Slot are a force to be reckoned with. For Manchester United and Erik ten Hag, the season’s early promise has quickly turned into a desperate struggle for stability and improvement.
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