It was essentially the most passable of wins at Previous Trafford and a memorable second early in Arne Slot‘s tenure as Liverpool made it three wins from three video games, with no objectives conceded.
Man United 0-3 Liverpool
Premier League (3), Previous Trafford
September 1, 2024
Objectives: Diaz 35’ 42’, Salah 56’
Mo Salah the creator
Liverpool like Salah the goalscorer. He’s fifth on the membership’s all-time top-scorers record and could possibly be within the prime three by the point he leaves. He has been the highest scorer every season since arriving in 2017.
However there may be extra to Salah’s recreation than he’s typically given credit score for, and he confirmed as a lot in opposition to United.
His two assists set Liverpool on their manner — the primary being a terrific cross along with his weaker proper foot hung as much as the far publish for Luis Diaz, and the second fed by a slender avenue to the Colombian once more, who completed brilliantly with a first-time shot.
Diaz was a standout participant – he was named Man of the Match by Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports activities, which will probably be good for his confidence, however Salah was the engineer of this victory.
Salah’s all-round recreation is trying extra convincing than ever, and he seems to be completely happy on the pitch.
And only for good measure, he added the third aim which meant the scoreboard mirrored Liverpool’s dominance and rounded off his personal spectacular show.
A powerful 9.2 ranking on FotMob.
Nonetheless, Salah’s feedback post-match about his contract state of affairs will now take some focus away from the win as he admitted that is, as issues stand, his “final season on the membership.”
Double pivot dynamic
The world of Liverpool’s midfield in entrance of the again 4 has been the massive speaking level all summer season, however it’s to date so good in that space of the pitch now the soccer has began.
Ryan Gravenberch is likely one of the two in that space, however recurrently discovered himself in superior positions at Previous Trafford.
Although Gravenberch is taken into account the participant filling in within the No. 6 position after the membership did not signal one within the switch window, it’s extra of a double pivot (dare we are saying 4-2-3-1?).
Alexis Mac Allister was concerned within the midfield tidy-up previous to the second aim, selecting up the items and feeding the ball ahead after Diaz outmuscled Casemiro.
Liverpool first half common positions vs Man United. Gravenberch (38) recurrently taking on superior positions. pic.twitter.com/mddbVZ1fT5
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) September 1, 2024
The complete-backs play an element on this dynamic. Andy Robertson typically holds his place at left-back fairly than bombing ahead, retaining the compact form and guarding in opposition to counter-attacks.
Trent Alexander-Arnold joins the midfield within the buildup which might enable Gravenberch to maneuver up alongside Dominic Szoboszlai whereas Mac Allister schemes and creates from the left.
One of many issues Mac Allister struggled with within the lone No. 6 position below Klopp was the defensive aspect of the sport when remoted, however that occurs a lot much less with Gravenberch and Robertson round him on this system.
Points might come up in opposition to stronger opposition and because the season goes on, however there are encouraging indicators to date.
Arne Slot’s first assertion victory
Arne Slot’s Liverpool embarrassed Erik ten Hag’s Man United. ‘Ten Hag’s on the wheel’ chanted the travelling Kopites.
This was epitomised within the first half by Casemiro’s efficiency in opposition to the energetic Liverpool press, however despite the fact that the Brazilian was subbed at halftime, his removing didn’t change a lot.
There have been boos in Previous Trafford following Liverpool’s third aim with ten minutes of the second half performed.
The away followers have been having enjoyable, in the meantime, and this was a press release victory for Slot in his early days as Liverpool supervisor.
Video games in opposition to United usually are not all the time a given whatever the type of the 2 groups going into the sport.
Liverpool have performed nicely loads of occasions at Previous Trafford and misplaced or did not win, not least within the FA Cup final season.
This was a managed, clinically executed victory which left nothing to probability, and left United reeling.
Content material Alexander-Arnold
Quite a bit was made about Alexander-Arnold’s response to being subbed off in Liverpool’s earlier recreation, in opposition to Brentford.
With a contract that involves an finish this season, and the narrative surrounding that, his clear disappointment at being subbed and unhappiness regardless of the staff’s 2-0 win was a worrying signal.
Regardless of that response, Slot did the identical once more in opposition to United, however on this event, it introduced a distinct response.
Trent initially appeared nonplussed as he slowly walked off, however couldn’t assist elevate a smile because the Liverpool followers cheered him off.
Then there have been hugs for his substitute Conor Bradley and for Slot in stark distinction to final week’s response.
He wore a smile for a lot of the remainder of the afternoon, and blew kisses to the Liverpool followers on the finish of the sport. Far more promising indicators.
It’s a sign of some good man administration from Slot and a superb perspective from the participant regardless of final week’s disappointment.
Matching Man Metropolis on the prime
After simply three video games of the brand new season, a global break is already upon us.
A break after so few video games will be a clumsy interruption, however there will probably be a component of contentedness across the Liverpool camp following this mini run which signalled the beginning of a brand new period.
The plan is taking form on the pitch, and the outcomes have include it.
Even at this early stage within the season, Liverpool are the one staff who’ve managed to equal Man Metropolis’s good begin.
It may have been a way more troublesome, troublesome begin for Slot as he took over from a membership legend in Jurgen Klopp, however to date he has achieved all the things that might have been anticipated of his predecessor and matched Man Metropolis.
The three league video games after the worldwide break are Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Wolves.
Man United 0-3 Liverpool
