This time, Liverpool demonstrated ruthless efficiency, nearly replicating their record 5-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in 2021. The match, held at Manchester’s iconic stadium, saw Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder, Luis Diaz, celebrating twice as he opened the scoring and doubled their lead, while Mohamed Salah sealed the victory.
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager, aced his first significant test with flying colors, leading his team to a resounding 3-0 victory against their arch-rivals, Manchester United. Slot, stepping into the challenging shoes of Jurgen Klopp, has managed to deliver flawless results, garnering a perfect record from three Premier League games, thus positioning Liverpool alongside Manchester City at the summit of the league standings.
On the other hand, this second consecutive defeat has placed immense pressure on United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, just three games into the new season. The Dutchman narrowly held onto his job after leading the team to its worst-ever Premier League finish of eighth place last season. A surprising FA Cup victory against Manchester City extended his tenure and injected a glimmer of optimism, especially after a significant £200 million ($262 million) investment in new players.
However, the match against Liverpool painfully exposed the chronic issues plaguing United. Casemiro, the seasoned Brazilian midfielder, was responsible for two of Diaz’s goals and was substituted at halftime, bringing in the young Toby Collyer. United showcased their new £42 million signing, Manuel Ugarte, before kick-off, hoping the Uruguayan will strengthen their midfield. In contrast, Liverpool resisted entering the transfer market for a defensive midfielder, opting instead to reposition Ryan Gravenberch into that role—a move that has proven to be a masterstroke.
Despite Liverpool’s general ascendancy over United during Klopp’s tenure, victories at Old Trafford have been rare, with only two wins out of eleven away games under Klopp. Last season, Liverpool failed to capitalize on their dominance at Old Trafford, losing a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final 4-3 and settling for a 2-2 draw in the league, which effectively doomed their title aspirations.
This encounter, however, saw Liverpool firing on all cylinders. United initially received a reprieve when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross, deflected off Diaz, was ruled offside as it struck Salah. Casemiro, who had shown glimpses of his former self in the season’s early matches, struggled again, suggesting his prime years at the top level are over.
. A misplaced pass from the Brazilian was intercepted by Gravenberch, who fed Salah. A delicate cross from Salah was expertly headed in by Diaz at the back post.
Liverpool’s lead was preserved by a crucial save from Alisson Becker, denying Noussair Mazraoui’s powerful low effort. However, United’s collapse was inevitable. Casemiro, once again, was caught in possession by Diaz, who finished off Salah’s cross just before halftime.
Salah, continuing his remarkable record against United, added a third goal in the 56th minute, marking his 15th goal in 16 encounters against the Red Devils. This particular goal was a stunning finish from Dominik Szoboszlai’s assist. Salah missed an opportunity to extend the lead further, shooting over from close range as his teammates pleaded for a pass.
Another impressive save from Alisson, this time from Joshua Zirkzee, ensured that Liverpool maintained a clean sheet under Slot’s leadership. As the early weeks of the season unfold, Liverpool has shown they remain formidable contenders, even with Klopp no longer at the helm.
Meanwhile, Arsenal has been touted as the primary challenger to dethrone Manchester City after four consecutive title wins under Pep Guardiola. However, Liverpool’s early-season performances have demonstrated that they are still very much in the race.
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