Manchester United have been through a transformation this season, winning their first trophy in six years and knocking Barcelona out of the Europa League. Confidence at Old Trafford has been the highest its been in years and you could see interviews with fans making big statements about United’s chances of winning more trophies this season.
Even as a neutral or rival fan you were looking at United and thinking they’re getting back to being a team you expect to win. The Carabao cup success was evidence that Ten Haag has turned the team into winners. Now the eyes will be on the serial winners: Casemiro, Varane and Ten Hag himself to see if they can wake the team to go again.
And that’s why nobody saw the weekend’s result coming. Liverpool have not been the team we’ve come to expect them to be in recent years, struggling in the league and cups, but their stunning 7-0 win at Anfield over their North West rivals brought United crashing back down to earth. They were mentally so ready for this game, prepped well to deliver speed and energy and the will to win backed by their home fans.
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Salah all scored twice and Firmino added another. With the score at just 1-0 at half time it looked like it could go either way after the restart, but it was only one way!
Salah’s two goals made him Liverpool’s record Premier League scorer with 129, overtaking Robbie Fowler despite playing 61 fewer games. Salah has been fundamental in Liverpool’s rise under Klopp, along with Firmino who is leaving at the end of the season, and Mane who left in the summer. That trio was feared and now Klopp needs to look to the future. That future could be Nunez and Gakpo who each scored a brace to give Klopp some promise in his front line.
Liverpool are still 7 points behind United in the table but it’s all still to play for in the race for top four. #mmlove