Liverpool faced off against Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier this evening as they focused on earning a positive result on the road. The Reds made a quick start to the game and scored the opening goal in the fifth minute when Naby Keita got his name on the scoresheet with a composed finish. Diogo Jota doubled Liverpool’s advantage just eight minutes later when he found the back of the net from point-blank range. Mohamed Salah scored two quick-fire goals just before the half-time break to give the Reds a dream four-goal lead at the interval.
The Egyptian maestro completed his hattrick just five minutes into the second half. Paul Pogba was shown a red card for a poor tackle on Naby Keita at the hour mark. Liverpool put their foot off the gas in the final quarter of the game and cruised to a 5-0 victory at the Theatre of Dreams.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player performed during the clash against the Red Devils.
GK: Alisson Becker – 7.5/10
The Brazilian keeper made some decent saves during the game and secured an impressive clean sheet away at Old Trafford.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10
The English full-back was caught out of position at times but sprayed some lovely passes in the first half. He went close to scoring in the second half but was denied by a great save from David de Gea. Alexander-Arnold has also got an assist to show for his efforts.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – 7.5/10
He kept a good shape at the back and kept the Man United attackers frustrated throughout the 90 minutes.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 7.5/10
The Dutch defensive ace organised his backline quite well and dealt with everything that came his way. He did enough to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet this evening.
LB: Andrew Robertson – 8/10
The Scottish full-back was full of running down the left flank and made several important clearances at the back.
CM: James Milner – 6/10
The veteran midfielder had to go off injured in the 26th minute.
CM: Jordan Henderson – 8.5/10
The Liverpool captain ran the show at the centre of the park and ended the game with an assist to his name.
CM: Naby Keita – 9/10
The Guinea international made three crucial interceptions in midfield. He scored the opening goal and picked up an assist before going off injured because of Pogba’s horror tackle.
LW: Diogo Jota – 9/10
Jota was a constant threat in the Man United half and did well to score and assist a goal during the 90 minutes.
ST: Roberto Firmino – 8/10
The Brazilian striker linked up play well with others around him but there was no goal for him today.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 10/10
The Egyptian winger scored three goals and secured an assist within the first 50 minutes of the game. He is playing at the peak of his powers and fully deserves the man of the match award.
Substitutes:
CM: Curtis Jones – 6.5/10
Jones kept possession ticking quite well but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.
CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6.5/10
He was always willing to get on the ball and run with it but couldn’t add to his team’s healthy goal-tally late in the game.
LW: Sadio Mane – 6/10
Mane offered very little after coming off the bench.