Liverpool sent Manchester United back to the Dark Ages

It was utter humiliation for the Red Devils at Anfield

Liverpool handed Manchester United its worst ever Premier League defeat on Sunday, humiliating the Red Devils 7-0 at Anfield.

Jürgen Klopp’s side only led 1-0 at halftime but blew United away with a scintillating six-goal performance in the second half to re-establish their top-four credentials in style.

It has been a bounce-back season for United under Erik ten Hag, who led the club to its first trophy in six years last weekend with victory over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.

But Sunday’s match was reminiscent of some of United’s darkest days in recent years — and perhaps its entire history — as the Red Devils suffered their worst defeat in more than 91 years.

Amazingly for a game that ended 7-0, it very nearly went into halftime scoreless. Cody Gakpo gave Liverpool the lead in the 43rd minute with a fine finish into the far corner after a great assist from Andy Robertson.

From there, the collapse began. Darwin Núñez and Gakpo gave the home side a 3-0 lead by the 50th minute, before Núñez completed his brace and Mohamed Salah grabbed a brace of his own — his second making him Liverpool’s all-time top Premier League scorer.

There was still time for one more memorable moment. Roberto Firmino, whose agent revealed this week that he will leave the club at season’s end, scored Liverpool’s seventh in front of the Kop.

For Liverpool, it was the highlight of a trying season and evidence that Klopp’s side may be the favorite to sneak into the fourth and final Champions League spot. The Reds are now just three points back of fourth-place Tottenham, with a game in hand.

United will have to pick the pieces up after a confidence-shattering result. Heavy defeats to Liverpool have become something of the norm for United of late, having lost its two games against the Reds last season by a combined 9-0 scoreline.

But this season was supposed to be different for Manchester United. On Sunday, though, United didn’t just reach the depths of recent seasons — it went much lower.

“It was unprofessional,” Ten Hag told Match of the Day. “Yes [I am angry]. Definitely.

“This is definitely a strong setback and is unacceptable. I’m really disappointed and angry about it.”

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