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The Premier League witnessed an all-time classic between two of England's oldest rivals earlier today as Liverpool routed Manchester United by a 4-2 margin to renew their hopes of a top-four finish. Manchester United were well below their best for large patches of the game and succumbed to a discernibly hungry Liverpool outfit.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fielded his best team against Liverpool and was rewarded with an early goal in the first half. Liverpool grew into the game, however, and goals from Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah saw the Merseyside giants earn a historic victory at Old Trafford.
Liverpool put four past Manchester United to bolster top-four ambitions
Manchester United and Liverpool got off to quick starts at Old Trafford as both sets of players looked to seize the initiative. After a few end-to-end passages of play, Manchester United drew first blood as Bruno Fernandes' shot was deflected into the net by Nat Phillips.
Liverpool seemed intent on an immediate response and launched a series of attacks on Manchester United's goal. The Red Devils nearly conceded a penalty at the half-hour mark but Eric Bailly's challenge at the edge of the penalty area was correctly deemed legal by VAR.
Liverpool were in no mood to sit back, however, and an impressive piece of footwork from Diogo Jota handed the away side a crucial equaliser. Manchester United went on to suffer a massive setback in the first half as Roberto Firmino put Liverpool ahead on the stroke of half-time.
Liverpool doubled their lead at the start of the second half as some poor play from Manchester United gave Roberto Firmino his second goal of the game. The Red Devils were strangled in their own half following Liverpool's third goal and struggled to regain a foothold in the game.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer responded with a tactical change at the hour-mark and the decision paid immediate dividends as Marcus Rashford pulled a goal back for Manchester United. The Red Devils took plenty of heart from the strike and pinned Liverpool into their own half with a series of attacks.
Mohamed Salah had other ideas, however, and deflated Manchester United's hopes of an equaliser with a stunning run from his own half. The Egyptian's goal sealed Manchester United's fate and guaranteed Liverpool a crucial victory at Old Trafford.
Manchester United Player Ratings
Dean Henderson - 6/10
Dean Henderson did his best to thwart Liverpool on the day and was largely unfortunate to have conceded four goals. The Manchester United shot-stopper was comfortable with his distribution but does have some work to do to keep his place in the team.
Eric Bailly - 4/10
Eric Bailly survived a penalty call in the first half and did have his problems against Liverpool's forward line. The Dutch defender was booked for a rash challenge in the second half and could have done better to block Liverpool's third goal.
Victor Lindelof - 6/10
Victor Lindelof was one of his side's better defenders on the night and made a few vital blocks against Liverpool. The centre-back was no match for Salah's pace in the second half, however, and was unable to keep up with the Egyptian towards the end of the game.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6/10
After a bright start to the game, Aaron Wan-Bissaka had to spend a considerable amount of time in his own half to keep tabs on Diogo Jota. The full-back was accurate with his tackles but did make a few mistakes with his marking throughout the game.
Luke Shaw - 5.5/10
Luke Shaw was impressive in the first half and spearheaded Manchester United's attacks on the left flank. The left-back tried a trick too many in the second half, however, and lost possession in his own half in the build-up to Liverpool's all-important third goal.
Scott McTominay - 5/10
Scott McTominay was one of Manchester United's better players in the first half and won the ball for his side on a few occasions. The Scotsman's influence waned in the second half and a rash challenge on Fabinho earned him a yellow card.
Fred - 5/10
Fred had a decent first half and recycled possession to good effect against Liverpool. The Manchester United midfielder had a disastrous outing after half-time, however, and was partially at fault for Liverpool's third goal.
Paul Pogba - 4.5/10
Like most of his teammates, Paul Pogba faded into the background after a positive start to the game. The Frenchman failed to track Roberto Firmino for Liverpool's second goal and did not have much of an impact on Manchester United's attacking play.
Bruno Fernandes - 6/10
Bruno Fernandes produced the occasional spark of magic throughout the game and forced the issue to score Manchester United's first goal. The Portuguese midfielder did not see enough of the ball, however, and was unable to dictate the tempo of the game.
Marcus Rashford - 6/10
Marcus Rashford was uncharacteristically quiet in the first half and struggled to get on the ball. The English forward burst into life after the hour-mark and found back of the net to bring Manchester United back into the game.
Edinson Cavani - 6.5/10
Edinson Cavani was a tireless presence in the final third and pressed Liverpool's defence on several occasions. The Uruguayan striker worked hard and bagged a well-deserved assist for Marcus Rashford's goal.
Substitutes
Mason Greenwood - 6.5/10
Mason Greenwood was integral to Manchester United's tactical shift in the second half and injected some much-needed pace into his side's play. The young prodigy did take a few shots but was denied by a series of blocks and a goal-line clearance.
Nemanja Matic - 4/10
Nemanja Matic was largely responsible for Mohamed Salah's fourth goal and gave the ball away in a dangerous area to facilitate a devastating Liverpool counter-attack.
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Liverpool Player Ratings
Alisson Becker - 6/10
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was an assured presence against Manchester United and could do nothing to prevent the first goal. The Brazilian could have done better to deny Marcus Rashford his goal but had a largely positive outing.
Nathaniel Phillips - 6.5/10
Nathaniel Phillips endured a poor start to the game and conceded an own goal to put his side on the back foot. The youngster seemed intent on making amends, however, and picked up a fortuitous assist to give Liverpool their equaliser.
Rhys Williams - 6/10
Rhys Williams had a shaky start to the game but grew in confidence towards the end of the first half. The centre-back was partially at fault for Marcus Rashford's goal and has plenty to learn in Liverpool's colours.
Andrew Robertson - 5.5/10
Andrew Robertson had an unusually quiet game and misplaced several passes in the first half. The Scottish full-back did well with his recoveries, however, and put in an impressive shift.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8/10
Trent Alexander-Arnold may not have had his best season so far but was at his brilliant best against Manchester United. The right-back was involved in most of Liverpool's goals and his form bodes well for Jurgen Klopp and his side.
Fabinho - 6.5/10
Fabinho made several important interceptions in the first half and led from the front as Liverpool clawed their way back into the game. The Brazilian midfielder shadowed Bruno Fernandes to good effect and had a positive outing.
Georginio Wijnaldum - 5.5/10
Georginio Wijnaldum did not have the best of games and was troubled by Manchester United's attacking play on a few occasions. The Dutchman was overrun in the midfield and was replaced by Curtis Jones in the second half.
Thiago Alcantara - 7/10
Thiago Alcantara played a key role in Liverpool's comeback and gave his side a cutting edge in the midfield. The Spaniard initiated several counter-attacks against Manchester United and had an impressive game.
Roberto Firmino - 8/10
Roberto Firmino picked the perfect game to score his first goal against Manchester United and scored Liverpool's crucial second goal with a brilliant header seconds before half-time. The Brazilian was in no mood to relent and doubled his tally with a poacher's goal at the start of the second half.
Diogo Jota - 7.5/10
Diogo Jota was one of Liverpool's most dangerous players in the first half and scored a well-deserved goal with a clever flick that left Dean Henderson rooted to his spot. The Portuguese winger found himself in an excellent position to add to his tally against Manchester United but could only strike the woodwork from close range.
Mohamed Salah - 7.5/10
Mohamed Salah troubled Manchester United with his pace throughout the game and was a threat in the final third. The Liverpool winger took full toll of the Red Devils' desperation towards the end of the game and capped off a lethal counter-attack with a precise finish to cement his side's dominance.
Substitutes
Sadio Mane - 5/10
Sadio Mane was brought on in the second half and was unable to take his chances on the night. The Senegalese winger reacted poorly to Jurgen Klopp after the final whistle and was visibly frustrated with his situation.
Curtis Jones - 6.5/10
Curtis Jones added an element of control to Liverpool's midfield and accentuated their high press in the second half.
Neco Williams - 6/10
Neco Williams was a late substitute against Manchester United and did not have enough time to make an impact on the game.
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