Liverpool Tore Manchester United to Shreds

After a match like this, Casemiro won’t be returning to the starting lineup anytime soon.

Liverpool today is the epitome of stability. There were minimal changes in the squad during the summer transfer window, and the core lineup remained unchanged. In the third round of the Premier League, the same players started as in the second. The results are consistent, too: three matches, three wins. And this time, it's not against Ipswich or Brentford, but Manchester United at their home.

Liverpool seized the initiative from the first minutes and created more chances. They opened the scoring in the seventh minute after a mistake by Kobbie Mainoo. Still, VAR disallowed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal due to a slight offside. The visitors kept the pressure on and deservedly scored, this time by the book. Casemiro lost the ball, gifting Liverpool a "five-on-three" attack. In the final phase, Luis Díaz and Dominik Szoboszlai were poised to finish at the far post. The Colombian, Díaz, found the net.

Almost immediately after, Díaz scored again. Once more, it followed a Casemiro error (though it was close to being a foul on the Brazilian). His teammates had a chance to stop the attack, but another assist from Mohamed Salah and another goal by Díaz sealed it. It was a disastrous first half for Manchester United, even in small details like yellow cards (three for the hosts, none for the visitors).

At halftime, Erik ten Hag substituted Casemiro, who is unlikely to return to the starting lineup soon, especially considering the arrival of Manuel Ugarte. In his place came 20-year-old Toby Collyer, making his Premier League debut. He headed the ball into the path of Joshua Zirkzee for a shot, forcing Alisson into action. For a moment, it seemed like Manchester United might have a chance to salvage the match. It really was just a moment.

Mainoo fumbled with the ball and gave away possession when United was wide open. Szoboszlai assisted Salah, who easily slotted past André Onana, who then spent some time criticizing his teammates. Despite leading by three goals, Liverpool didn’t ease off. In the next two minutes, Salah had two more chances to score. First, he narrowly missed, shooting just over the bar, and then a slight deflection saved United as the ball went inches past the post.

After this, Liverpool fans chanted "olé" for every successful pass their team made. It was a demoralizing sight for Manchester United. The camera zoomed in on tTenHag, emotionlessly watching his team suffer. United did have a few moments, with Zirkzee missing two excellent chances to score. Still, the match was one-sided, primarily due to United's mistakes. Many fans didn't stay to watch the end.

Thus, Liverpool, under Arne Slot, continues its winning streak, while Manchester United has only three points from three matches in this Premier League season.

Published by Patrick Jane
02.09.2024