Liverpool destroyed in-form Manchester United at Anfield as they put seven goals past them, with six goals coming in the second half. The Reds won the game convincingly despite being the underdogs heading into the encounter.
Coming into the match on the back of two impressive performances in domestic cups against Newcastle United, where they won their first trophy since 2017, and West Ham United where they came back from behind to secure a win.
Nothing could have prepared the Red Devils, who were on top form heading into the game, for what followed over 90 minutes.
After an end-to-end start to the game, Liverpool took the lead shortly before half-time through much-maligned January signing Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward was found by an inch-perfect pass from Andy Robertson before taking a touch to get inside Raphael Varane and curling an effort past a stranded David De Gea.
The Reds turned on the heat in the second half as Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez scored his third goal in four games for the club in the 47th minute. The striker headed home from close range after he was found by a cross from Harvey Elliott.
Two became three after just three minutes as the Reds executed a perfect counter attack. Gakpo sent Mohamed Salah free down the right, and the Egyptian superstar bamboozled Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez before playing a pass into the path of Gakpo, who dinked the ball over De Gea from a tight angle.
Liverpool were relentless and shortly after the hour, they scored a fourth off another fast break. Nunez’s intended pass forward ricocheted off Scott McTominay into the path of Salah, who lashed home a right-foot volley from a central position via the crossbar. The Egyptian forward scored for a fifth consecutive game against Manchester United.
Nunez added a fifth for Liverpool as he rose highest to flick home a header following a cross from captain Jordan Henderson in the 75th minute. The striker has now scored four goals in his last four appearances for the club.
Salah set a new club-record for goals in the Premier League in the 83rd minute when a Luke Shaw clearance came back off Roberto Firmino into his path. The forward gratefully took the chance for his 129th Premier League goal for the club.
The roles were reversed in the 88th minute as Salah turned provider for Firmino, whose swivel and finish gave the Reds a comfortable seven-goal win at home.
Liverpool are now only three points adrift of a Champions League spot after recording their biggest win over Manchester United since 1895. The Reds have a game in hand and can go fourth with a win in the game.
