Manchester United v Liverpool LIVE: Result and final score after Diaz and Salah rip through shambolic hosts
Manchester United slumped to rivals Liverpool as Erik ten Hag lost a second Premier League game in a row
Luis Diaz scored twice and Mohamed Salah added a third as Liverpool ripped through Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Arne Slot kept up his perfect start to life in charge of Liverpool as his visiting side easily swept aside their hosts. By contrast, Erik ten Hag’s side showed many of the same shambolic signs of last season, with Casemiro at fault for the first two goals and hauled off at half-time.
It was another damaging day for the home side after a late defeat to Brighton last week, with Ten Hag booed as he made second half substitutions in a bid to spark a comeback. After Trent Alexander-Arnold had a goal chalked off for offside inside the first ten minutes, Diaz twice converted Salah deliveries as Liverpool pounced on two poor errors from the vastly experienced Casemiro.
Salah then popped up with a goal of his own, striking after Kobbie Mainoo had been knocked off the ball by Alexis Mac Allister. Liverpool are three wins from three heading into the international break and yet to concede a Premier League goal under their new boss; Manchester United, by contrast, again look to be plagued with problems.
Follow all the reaction from Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool below.
GOAL! Manchester United 0-2 LIVERPOOL (Luis Diaz, 42 minutes)
Double delight for Luis Diaz and Liverpool!
It’s Casemiro again with an error in possession, brushed off the ball by a retreating Diaz as he dilly-dallies. Mohamed Salah once more is the provider, freed by his forward chum and then returning it to the Colombian, who is pinpoint precise from the penalty shot, beating Andre Onana to the goalkeeper’s left.
Manchester United 0-1 Liverpool, 42 minutes
Better from the hosts, Noussair Mazraoui forcing Alisson into a sharp save having drilled between Virgil van Dijk’s legs.
Manchester United 0-1 Liverpool, 40 minutes
Richard Jolly is our second man on the ground today, and has spotted a recurring flaw for Manchester United:
“Another goal where Manchester United left multiple opponents unmarked at the far post, after Brighton last week. United's problems passing out from the back had threatened to cost them before Casemiro's ball was cut out by Ryan Gravenberch. With Manuel Ugarte present, it was an ill-timed error by Casemiro.”
Manchester United 0-1 Liverpool, 38 minutes
It would have been a surprise if we got through this open first half without a goal, though there haven’t been too many clearcut chances. That was very smartly taken by Liverpool after the error.
GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 LIVERPOOL (Luis Diaz, 35 minutes)
A dreadful pass from Casemiro and Liverpool pounce!
All that experience, all that success and yet the Brazil midfielder still plays a simply aimless pass that is plucked by Ryan Gravenberch, and Manchester United never recover. Mohamed Salah serves up the goal on a platter, preparing a delectable cross that two teammates want to tuck in to - Dominik Szoboszlai leaps but wisely ducks away having got a shout from Luis Diaz, who duly gobbles up the goal.
Manchester United 0-0 Liverpool, 33 minutes
Zirkzee hasn’t quite managed to get himself fully in the game. The striker just seems to need a moment to develop some sharpness, a dull edge ending a cutting Manchester United attack with Marcus Rashford again left waiting for a pass. Liverpool are beginning to exert a bit more control in possession, too, reducing Zirkzee’s opportunities to get into the contest.
Manchester United 0-0 Liverpool, 30 minutes
It feels like Liverpool’s midfielders are going to have opportunities to shoot from 25 yards regularly today, space often opening between Manchester United’s midfield and defence. Ryan Gravenberch has already eschewed one opportunity to search for a pass, and Dominik Szoboszlai does similar, though there were a couple of blocking bodies in front of him. Manchester United are playing a 4-4-2 out of possession, really, with Bruno Fernandes up with Joshua Zirkzee.
Manchester United 0-0 Liverpool, 29 minutes
Rashford is then all alone as Manchester United come forward en masse, but Bruno Fernandes, for once, gets his pass wrong, curling it too close to Ryan Gravenberch and allowing the Dutchman to get a toe in.
Manchester United 0-0 Liverpool, 27 minutes
A quarterback pass forward from Casemiro tries to find Marcus Rashford up the middle, and a little bit of check from the surface keeps the left winger in the hunt. Alisson is wise to the threat, though, out of his area quickly to head out of play.
Manchester United 0-0 Liverpool, 25 minutes
A first missive of the afternoon from Miguel Delaney, watching on for us at Old Trafford: “An open game so far, where Liverpool currently looking sharper. They've got more control and are pressing United further up the pitch, which of course led to that goal ruled out for offside. There was one of a few occasions where they've surged through the centre of United's team a bit too easily, which won't come as a shock to people. This is why they need Ugarte, who was presented to the Old Trafford crowd before kick-off. There have been a few breaks, though, where Liverpool look susceptible to United's pace.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments