Manchester United are hosting old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford in the biggest clash of the Premier League season so far.
Erik ten Hag’s side fell to a bruising defeat to Brighton last week, losing 2-1 in the final minutes after a display that was disappointing overall and raised some questions over the manager. And many will be watching with a keen eye to see how the Dutchman fares against an old adversary in Arne Slot.
The former Feyenoord manager has enjoyed a straightforward start to life at Anfield, winning both his matches in charge without conceding a goal, though this could be his first tough test as he takes charge of his first league derby. Liverpool are looking to remind fans and pundits alike that they should be classed as title challengers this season, while United are desperate for a result that could define their start to the season.
Either way, it promises to be as fiery and entertaining as last season’s famous meetings. Follow all the action from Manchester United v Liverpool below.
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool, 62 minutes
Results stay the same even as the faces change. Well, all but two faces. This was a retirement performance from Casemiro. As bad as he was, though, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Slot didn’t get his six either. He worked around it – and has Liverpool playing to an idea within three games. Which is a lot more than can be said for Ten Hag. There’s no getting away from that bigger issue there. United made Ten Hag look and feel a lame duck by essentially interviewing him for his own job and still persisting with him. It is going to be an issue that hangs over the whole season unless results are excellent. They’re currently 3-0 down.
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool, 60 minutes
Oles from the visiting Liverpool fans as their side pop the ball about with aplomb, the rest of Old Trafford having fallen silent.
Now the home fans howl in frustration. Toby Collyer wins the ball in a good area and provides Marcus Rashford with possession in a nice area, but the winger just looks lacking in confidence and conviction. He goes nowhere and is eventually forced back.
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool, 58 minutes
Mohamed Salah has now scored on his last seven visits to Old Trafford. He very nearly has a second within a matter of moments, Lisandro Martinez giving the ball away and both relieved and, probably, surprised when Salah skies his shot.
GOAL! Manchester United 0-3 LIVERPOOL (Mohamed Salah, 56 minutes)
Another Manchester United midfielder is dispossessed and Liverpool strike again!
Strikingly similar. Kobbie Mainoo is pincered in midfield and biffed off the ball by Alexis Mac Allister. Dominik Szoboszlai puts Mohamed Salah in, and a crisp, clean, curling finish is out of reach of Andre Onana. It’s turning into a damaging afternoon for Manchester United.
Manchester United 0-2 Liverpool, 54 minutes
Liverpool haven’t quite got going in this half, perhaps not helped by the long delay.
That’s more like it, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai combining with Trent Alexander-Arnold, who bruises a blocking Manchester United thigh with a fierce drive. The flag was up, anyway – Salah had been just off earlier in the movement.
Manchester United 0-2 Liverpool, 52 minutes
Good save! Vollyer gets forward and wins a header above Ibrahima Konate, setting up Joshua Zirkzee to curl at Alisson’s goal. The Brazilian palms it away low to his left.
Manchester United 0-2 Liverpool, 51 minutes
Toby Collyer’s first couple of touches are tidy enough. Digo Dalot is now tucking in to add an extra body to midfield, with Collyer then pushing out to fill a bit of space on the left-hand side.
Manchester United 0-2 Liverpool, 49 minutes
Erik ten Hag shakes his head as he, Ruud van Nistelrooy and the rest of the Manchester United staff consider their options if Mazraoui can’t continue. It’s a head injury, and it seems like the doctors are suggesting to Mazraoui that he should come off, which the defender isn’t taking brilliantly.
It appears he has has got his way, though, with no-one readied as the right-back is guided towards the touchline. He’ll be back on shortly.
Manchester United 0-2 Liverpool, 47 minutes
Another worry for Manchester United as Noussair Mazraoui takes a rather nasty blow. He’s down and being attended to by a couple of medics.
Second half…
An early change from Erik ten Hag, and a bit of a statement: Casemiro is hooked, replaced by young Toby Collyer.
What a moment to make your Manchester United debut. Wow.
Source: independent.co.uk
