A match that was so predictable, but its reality was completely astounding.
So much for a tense title game. So much for a challenge for a place in the Champions League. So much for Manchester United’s sense of pride that it stops Liverpool from leveling 20 or improving their incredibly high points.
The fact that they are the two most successful teams in English football has been reduced to a mere historical oddity, as if United were a thing of the past, as Liverpool instead gave them the worst overall result in the Premier League era.
What’s worse is that the 4-0, which followed from 5-0 in October to lead to 9-0, became so high because Liverpool just decided to get back in the mood. The truth was that the race between the two countries looked as good again as it had been until the fifth minute.
All that was left for Liverpool was to try things, to see what they could do, to add to the goals.
Mohamed Salah could justifiably become a player of the season again, but it was no coincidence that he finally ended his bad streak of goals – and then added another – against this Manchester United.
Some of them did not believe in playing between two supposedly elite clubs. There were so many questions, and from a game in which the result was always beyond doubt.
How can United’s huge expenses leave them with a starting XI like this? How can a conditionally “defensive” back line of five offer as much space as this? What do they do in training? Was that the difference between these two clubs?
It was funny.
Within four minutes, any resemblance to the idea that United could at least turn it into a bit of a battle – or even dig in – was simply evaporated by a Liverpool attack. They were everywhere. Harry Maguire stepped up, though no one followed, leaving Sadio Mane with so much room to serve. Apparently, he could also choose any number of options, as not just one player overtook Diogo Dalot, but two. Salah and Alexander-Arnold almost opposed each other, except unlike United, Liverpool players generally have a very clear idea of where they should be. Alexander-Arnold went inside, Salah took the ball outside, and Luis Diaz was left with the easiest finishes.
Luis Diaz scored Anfield’s first goal
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It was like an Old Trafford game in October, but it’s hard to tell if it was actually worse. It already seemed so easy for Liverpool. Paul Pogba’s only contribution was to get injured at that moment. This saved him from over-connecting with it.
Alison’s turn past Bruno Fernandez already shows a mood in which Klopp’s team is ready to try things just because it can, which culminates in this daring failed assist by Manet. This was now perfectly suited to Tiago, who was not so much in control of the game as expressing himself on the canvas. The move for this great second started with a superb out to Alexander-Arnold, which led to delicious football with one touch. By the time he got to Manet, and with so many things that happened in that game, you could see what he was going to do, but it was still amazing when he came. Even Salah looked surprised, though he naturally returned to finish.
Mo Salah scored a brilliant second goal for Liverpool
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
This is what United has become. They are the ideal opposition if you are in bad shape.
It was so bad for them that for the third time this season against Liverpool or City, there was a feeling that the opposition was announcing itself. They had done enough. They had scored enough – against United, the most successful club in the Premier League.
This allowed even the shortest danger, as the team of Rangnik managed to upgrade a little in the second half with Jaden Sancho and the country recovered to its usual formation. There was only this growing concern that if United managed to get one, it could be a very different game.
And what happened? In just a few minutes Liverpool just stepped up, with one movement he saw Manet just lighten the ball in the bottom corner.
It was probably harder to finish than it looked, but that summed up the game. It seemed light, as if there was almost no challenge.
Then he was gone again. This was the case throughout the match.
From the start, Liverpool had the freedom to play on the pitch. There was almost no pressure. There was just room everywhere. This ensured that the match ended as it started with a pass from Liverpool, which simply opened the whole box of United.
Salah was left to claim for a second and bring the overall score to a remarkable 9-0.
Mo Salah finished the victory with a fourth goal late
(AFP via Getty Images)
This means that Liverpool is ahead of City by a game more, although the champions can correct this against Brighton on Wednesday night.
Such statements usually give the impression that these clashes are a super intense competition, in which teams have to compare step by step, especially when faced with matches that are theoretically as uncomfortable as Manchester United.
However, that’s all United have now: theory; idea; brand.
They are not a football challenge for a team like Liverpool. They showed them the reality of the level. This made it as incredible as it was predictable.
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