Things went from bad to worse for Ole and Manchester United on Sunday as arch-rivals Liverpool scored five past the Red Devils on their home turf.
Liverpool wrapped up a superb 5-0 victory in the North-west Derby after a masterclass from Mohamed Salah, who became the first-ever player to score a hat-trick against Man United at Old Trafford. Liverpool were 4 goals up before heading to the dressing room at half-time, after early goals from Naby Keita and Diogo Jota before Salah scored a brace. The Reds got off to a brilliant start to the second period of the game with Henderson feeding in a delicious through ball to Salah as the man in form wrapped up his hat-trick and took his tally to 15 goals this season. Things got even worse for the home side when second half substitute, Paul Poga was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Keita. Manchester United had a few chances in the second half to get that consolation goal but VAR ruled out Ronaldo’s effort for offside and Cavani hitting the crossbar from close range, and the team from merseyside saw the game out from there and remain unbeaten since May.
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This humiliating outcome was somewhat predictable as the PL’s most lethal attack – Liverpool had scored in the previous nine games across all competition played against a side that let in six goals last week and has kept only one clean sheet over the last six months.
Paul Scholes who has been a crucial part of this fixture for over years said “To say a disappointing day would be a complete understatement. Paul Pogba coming on, giving a goal away and then getting sent off for a ridiculous tacke sums up United’s Day.”
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A hat-trick for Mohamed Salah turned the spotlight towards him as he scored for Liverpool for the 10th game in a row. When asked about his goal-scoring run after the match, the Egyptian said, “To be fair, as [long] as the team keeps winning, I’m more than happy. I’m always trying to give assists – the first one I could have gone alone but I gave it to Naby. I’m always trying to give my best for the team to win, which is the most important thing.”
With that win, Liverpool moved back to the second position with 21 points on board, one behind leaders Chelsea and 1 ahead of defending champions Manchester City. As for United, they still sit seventh on the table with 14 points on board, 6 points behind Manchester City and next up for them is a trip to Tottenham Hotspurs which could be a tricky one.
[Image Credit: Liverpool FC]
Shashank Iyer