Track Tickets
Liverpool secured a memorable victory against arch-rivals Manchester United, as Arne Slot's first Premier League clash against Erik ten Hag turned into a triumphant affair. The 3-0 win at Old Trafford not only highlighted Liverpool's dominance but also deepened the concerns for Ten Hag and his Manchester United side.
Intense rivalry
This intense match was pretty much claimed by three players. The usual suspect Mohamed Salah but it was also Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch who stole the spotlight. The 22-year-old midfielder, who earned Arne Slot's trust, was instrumental in the first half, which saw both teams make numerous errors, but with United being the more vulnerable side.
United had an early wake-up call in the 7th minute when Virgil van Dijk's brilliant pass broke the lines to find Gravenberch. The midfielder accelerated past the United defense, and after a sequence involving Luis Díaz and a touch from Mohamed Salah, the ball found Trent Alexander-Arnold. His goal was disallowed by VAR for an offside on Salah, but the warning signs were clear for United.
Liverpool punishes United's mistakes
The breakthrough for Liverpool came in the 35th minute, capitalizing on yet another mistake by United. Casemiro, under pressure, misplaced a pass that Gravenberch intercepted. The Dutchman surged towards the penalty area and laid off the ball perfectly for Salah, who delivered a cross to the far post where Díaz headed it home to make it 0-1.
Just seven minutes later, Liverpool doubled their lead. Casemiro was caught off guard by Díaz, who quickly dispossessed him and combined with Salah to fire the ball past Andre Onana into the near post. The celebration on the Liverpool bench was telling—Arne Slot was well on his way to becoming the first Liverpool manager since Bob Paisley in 1975 to win his debut encounter with Manchester United. Meanwhile, frustration was mounting in the United camp, highlighted by Ten Hag's decision to substitute Casemiro for the 20-year-old Tobby Collyer at halftime.
A second half of total control
Things went from bad to worse for United after the break. Liverpool ramped up the pressure, with Alexander-Arnold and Salah both coming close to extending the lead. In the 56th minute, after a careless turnover by Mainoo in United's half, Alexis Mac Allister quickly won the ball and set up Szoboszlai, who found Salah. The Egyptian coolly slotted the ball past Onana for Liverpool's third goal, sealing the 0-3 scoreline.
Liverpool fans taunt United as they cruise to victory
As the game progressed, the away supporters at Old Trafford began to mock United with every Liverpool pass. United's confidence drained away, while Liverpool, sensing blood, continued to push for more goals. Despite a few opportunities, particularly for Zirkzee, United failed to convert. Even the introduction of Amad Diallo could not inspire a comeback, and Liverpool's defense remained unbreached for the third consecutive match under Slot's leadership.
Slot's perfect start continues
After this emphatic victory in his first major test, Slot's Liverpool remains unbeaten and without conceding a goal in the Premier League. Alongside Manchester City, Liverpool is one of only two teams to have taken maximum points from the first three rounds. For Erik ten Hag, the defeat means another season of playing catch-up, with United already six points behind both their city rivals and eternal enemies. This result cements Slot's early success at Liverpool and raises questions about United's ability to compete at the highest level under Ten Hag this season.
