Liverpool beat Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield in what was possibly the greatest dramatic Premier League thrashing of all time.
In a remarkable performance by Jurgen Klopp’s squad, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, and Mohamed Salah each scored twice. Lastly, before the season ends and about to leave the club, Roberto Firmino also added the seventh goal as United capitulated to raucous applause from the home fans.
After completing a six-year trophy drought, Erik ten Hag’s club came into the game with an 11-game unbeaten streak. But despite being hopelessly outmatched, they conceded six goals in a feisty second half on a day that Liverpool supporters will never forget.
United had opportunities in the first half, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford both missing fine chances, but two goals in quick succession early in the second half led to a thumping as United capitulated. Liverpool has resurrected its chances of finishing in the top four.
With a game still to play, they move up to fifth position, following Tottenham by only three points. United’s seven-year quest for a win at Anfield continues, with this shocking result undermining their modest chances of muscling their way into the Premier League championship fight.
Liverpool demolished Manchester United
Nobody could have predicted this before the interval. But Liverpool came out firing, battling hard for the opening with Salah in the lead and Andy Robertson tearing down the left. Also, the home team took some time to create clear-cut chances.
Lisandro Martinez’s elbow on Salah, which was unnoticed by the authorities, contributed to the home crowd’s early sense of displeasure. United really had the better opportunities when the game remained scoreless. Fernandes took a wrong turn. Rashford ended comfortably.
As they had capitalized on the storm and good fortune. The visitors first appeared to be in control until Casemiro’s header was disallowed for egregious offside, but Gakpo’s intervention turned things around. Robertson slipped him in and he cut inside to finish ferociously into the far corner. Anfield burst into flames.
With a one-point lead at the half, the game appeared to be in the balance, but that quickly changed. Harvey Elliott stood up a cross for Nunez to head home from close range after Luke Shaw’s poor ball. That was a watershed moment for the much-maligned Uruguayan.
