Henry Winter: Liverpool humiliate Manchester United 7-0 in latest proof Jurgen Klopp can lead Reds back to glory

This was the display that mocked all those who had questioned Jurgen Klopp. His critics claimed Klopp’s time was running out at Liverpool, that his powers were fading, that the needed rebuild would take too long, and that the new attack was struggling to blend. Cue Klopp’s forwards, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah all plundering two goals apiece. Youngsters such as Harvey Elliott, 19, and the substitute Stefan Bajcetic, 18, signalled the hope for the future. Gakpo and Nunez are only 23 and bedding in fast, interchanging well, such as for Gakpo’s first when Nunez went central, opening space for his attacking accomplice to exploit on the left. Liverpool were so quick to counter, but it was about speed of thought as well as body.

And hunger. Jordan Henderson may be 32 but his leadership in games such as this is immense; before kick-off, he went round his players, stirring them up even more, reminding them of the pain felt when watching United lift the League Cup last weekend. Henderson set the tone of controlled aggression, of relentlessness. By contrast, United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, failed to track back, failed to fight, failed to respond. This surrender by Fernandes and his team was shameful.

It is worth pausing for some perspective and remembering that United were in this for 43 minutes, even having some chances through Antony and Marcus Rashford saved by Alisson, and that a week ago all the talk was whether United could do the quadruple. Even yesterday (Sunday) morning everyone was admiring their 11-game unbeaten run.

Erik ten Hag clearly has United heading in the right direction, but this was a reality check, a reminder that they are a work in progress. Luke Shaw has had a good season, defending expertly, but was reduced to an emotional and physical wreck by Salah. To Shaw’s right, Lisandro Martinez had constantly impressed this term but was twisted inside out by Salah, even falling over at one point. Casemiro, who deservedly claimed the headlines at Wembley, was anonymous here and looked to be carrying a knock, certainly a knock to his pride by the end.

Liverpool fans will bask in the warm memory of goal after goal, and the scenes of a trickle of United fans heading for the exits becoming a flow, then a flood. The main number was seven but so many figures will be inscribed in the history books. Salah became the first Liverpool player to find the mark against United in a fifth consecutive league game, breaking the record set by Dick Forshaw in the 1920s. Salah also broke Robbie Fowler’s club Premier League goalscoring record of 128. More records: this was Liverpool’s greatest victory in their 211 meetings with United, eclipsing the 7-1 win over Newton Heath in 1895. The rout was United’s worst loss since 1931 when they were defeated by Wolves.

They were hunted down here after 43 minutes. Gakpo was magnificent, a picture of calm amid the storm. A frenetic first half was defined by a wonderful moment of clever thought by Gakpo three minutes from the break. This was the goal that changed the game and changed some of the narrative around Liverpool. Alisson found Andrew Robertson, who moved inside, taking Diogo Dalot with him, freeing space for Gakpo on the left. Nunez moved to the centre, occupying Raphael Varane and Martinez, also opening up the left.

Robertson was now about 20 yards inside and he turned, and very deliberately bent the ball past Dalot and past Fred who had belatedly seen the space at right back and was trying to get back. Too late. Robertson’s ball flew to Gakpo, who was running into the box, controlling the ball with the outside of his right foot, steering it past the flatfooted Varane, and then sending it curling right-footed past Martinez and David de Gea. Gakpo ran towards the Liverpool fans, sensibly avoiding the end containing the followers of United, who he had almost joined last summer.

Liverpool fans loved Gakpo’s goal, and the prospect of moving closer to the Champions League positions. And when Liverpool attacked the Kop end in the second half, they inflicted even more damage.

The five minutes after the break will linger long in the memory of Liverpool fans, especially those in the Kop given a ringside position of the pummelling the visitors were taking. Within two minutes, Salah drove the ball across, which Shaw cleared. Elliott did not hesitate, hammering the ball back in for Nunez, showing far more determination than United’s defenders, to head home.

The game was over three minutes later, the Kop crowing, the visiting fans largely silenced. Gakpo won possession midway through his half, and Liverpool again tore forward. Antony was initially with Gakpo but gave up the chase. Antony is a fabulous talent but he has to understand the team demands more, helping them more. Gakpo, now showing his vision, drove the ball to the right to Salah, who was flying upfield.

Salah took two touches with his left foot, dropped a shoulder and Martinez fell over. Salah crossed, Shaw froze, and Gakpo ran in and very elegantly lifted the ball across De Gea and in.

And now the series of “ole” came. And now United lost their discipline as well as their shape. Martinez fouled Gakpo and was booked. Scott McTominay fouled Gakpo and was booked. United couldn’t live with Gakpo. So they kicked him. And the goals continued to flow, the joy of Liverpool supreme, the humiliation of United complete. With the clock showing 66 minutes, Liverpool broke again, Nunez proving too quick for Casemiro, and sending Salah through the middle. His shot rose past De Gea and crashed in off the post to take him alongside Fowler. Ten Hag was enraged, pointing out all manner of mistakes to his players.

United fans began heading for the exits, the flow quickening after 75 minutes when Liverpool made it 5-0. Alexander-Arnold recycled the ball into the area, Henderson placed the ball towards Nunez, who flicked a close-range header in. The sixth goal came with seven minutes remaining. Shaw was a shadow of the assured defender he has been this season, completely unravelling with the successive punches of Liverpool counters. He gifted the opportunity to Salah, who broke Fowler’s record.

United were completely broken, even more of their fans hurrying for home. “We want seven,” was the call now, and the call was answered, and the fans could not have been more delighted with the scorer.

It was Roberto Firmino, who had just come on, who had just announced he is off at the end of the season, and he is leaving Anfield with another special memory, giving De Gea no chance with an unstoppable shot from close range after more good work by Salah. The final whistle sounded almost like a blast of mercy for United. They have to show this was a freak result, unreflective of their development. Liverpool, if anyone doubted it, are on the rise again.

Originally published as Henry Winter: Liverpool humiliate Manchester United 7-0 in latest proof Jurgen Klopp can lead Reds back to glory