Manchester United vs Liverpool Report

Scorers: Diaz 35’, 42’, Salah 56’

Mohamed Salah played a crucial role in all three of Liverpool’s goals as they secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League.

The win not only ended a streak of three consecutive draws in head-to-head encounters between these fierce rivals but also maintained Liverpool’s perfect start to the season, marking their third consecutive clean sheet.

A Frenzied Start

The match began at a blistering pace, with both teams eager to gain the upper hand in what is always a highly charged fixture. Liverpool appeared to have taken an early lead when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s effort seemed destined for the net after Diogo Dalot’s failed clearance.

However, the goal was disallowed due to Mohamed Salah being offside before he touched the ball to set up Alexander-Arnold.

This early scare highlighted the frantic nature of the opening exchanges, as both sides pressed high and looked to exploit any defensive lapses. Despite Liverpool’s early dominance in possession, Manchester United’s defence initially held firm, recovering well in dangerous situations to keep the score level.

Liverpool Takes Control

As the first half progressed, Liverpool began to assert their dominance. The visitors finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, capitalising on a misplaced pass from Casemiro. Ryan Gravenberch intercepted and drove forward before playing the ball to Salah, who delivered a delicate dinked cross into the box. Luis Díaz met it with a perfectly timed header, putting Liverpool 1-0 up.

The Merseysiders doubled their lead just seven minutes later, punishing another error from Casemiro. Díaz dispossessed the Brazilian midfielder and passed to Salah, who returned the favour with an exquisite outside-of-the-boot cross. Díaz finished the move with a clinical first-time strike, leaving Manchester United reeling.

Second Half Dominance

At halftime, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made a bold decision, bringing on Toby Collyer for his Premier League debut to replace the struggling Casemiro. Collyer made an immediate impact, setting up Joshua Zirkzee for a shot that was well saved by Alisson. However, United’s problems persisted.

Liverpool’s third goal came from another Salah-inspired counter-attack. Alexis Mac Allister outmuscled Kobbie Mainoo in midfield and set off a swift break, which ended with Salah coolly slotting the ball past the United goalkeeper.

This goal marked Salah’s seventh consecutive scoring appearance at Old Trafford, further cementing his status as a nemesis for Manchester United.

Liverpool’s Impressive Defensive Display

While Salah came close to adding to his tally with two more attempts, the boos from the home crowd at Old Trafford highlighted the mounting frustration among Manchester United fans. The Red Devils struggled to find a way back into the game, with Alisson making a crucial save to deny Zirkzee’s close-range header before the Dutch forward sent another effort wide.

Liverpool’s solid defensive performance ensured that they started their Premier League campaign with three clean sheets for only the third time in their history.

In contrast, Manchester United’s back-to-back defeats have increased the pressure on Erik ten Hag, who faces a challenging period ahead as the team heads into the international break.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s victory at Old Trafford not only maintains their 100% record this season but also serves as a significant statement in one of English football’s most storied rivalries.

For Manchester United, the defeat raises serious questions and adds to the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag as he seeks to turn around their early-season fortunes.

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Man Utd v Liverpool, 2024/25 | Premier League