Story of the Match
Off the back of booking their spot in the FA Cup Final, Liverpool welcomed Manchester United to Anfield to continue their surge to the Premier League title.
Liverpool’s frightening trio of Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah, all got themselves on the scoresheet in an emphatic performance over Ralf Rangnick’s men.
Manchester United’s top four hopes were dampened as their back five strategy was torn apart only a few minutes into the game, infront of an expectant Anfield.
Luis Diaz fired home from close range following a delightful ball across the United box from Mohammed Salah to set the Reds up and running five minutes in.
The heartfelt news regarding the death of Cristiano Ronaldo’s newborn son was matched with an Anfield applause in the seventh minute as rivalry was set aside.
Jurgen Klopp shared his condolences after the game to Ronaldo and his Family and described the applause as the “moment of the game”.
But Liverpool continued to show their ruthlessness in a performance that was solely conducted by Thiago Alcantara. Flicks, tricks, tackling and sublime passing. The Spaniard single-handedly tore United apart as the Red Devils couldn’t kay a glove on him.
Salah found himself back in the scoring in the 22nd minute as the Egyptian capped off a team move that on its own justified why the Reds are chasing a quadruple.
One touch passing before Sadio Mane produced a no-look pass over the top of the United defence for Mo Salah, who did what he does best to double Liverpool’s lead.
Following a Wembley brace on Saturday, Sadio Mane is certainly warming to a more central role in Liverpool’s attack.
Mane grabbed Liverpool’s third with twenty minutes to go. Luis Diaz picked out the Senegalese on the edge of the box who effortlessly guided the ball past David De Gea.
Mohammed Salah had the last say, just like he did at Old Trafford. A sublime pass by Diogo Jota left Salah with the task of chipping the ball over the onrushing De Gea to draw the curtains on a devastating Liverpool performance.
It’s over to Manchester City to do the business now as they welcome Brighton on Wednesday to climb back to the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool will now turn their focus to the Merseyside Derby as Everton will make the short journey across Stanley Park as they continue their surge for Premier League survival.