Liverpool thump Manchester United 7-0 to boost Champions League hopes

Liverpool put Manchester United to the sword in a Premier League meeting like no other at Anfield on Sunday night as the Reds humiliated their age-old rivals in a 7-0 drubbing. A trio of braces from Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, and Mohamed Salah powered Jurgen Klopp’s side to a record victory against Manchester United and boosted their hopes of finishing in the Champions League places this season.

Manchester United headed to Anfield riding the crest of a wave following their first taste of silverware under Erik ten Hag in the League Cup and a statement victory against Barcelona. However, the Red Devils faced a rude awakening on enemy territory, suffering their worst defeat since 1931.

The visitors enjoyed the better share of chances in the opening 43 minutes, with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford going close, but Cody Gakpo’s opener on the stroke of half-time changed the complexion of the encounter. The Dutchman was slipped in by Andrew Robertson and produced a marvellous finish after cutting inside, bending the ball into the far post past David de Gea to put Liverpool 1-0 in front.

Gakpo’s goal energized the Liverpool crowd heading into the break and the hosts seized on that momentum in the second period to bring Manchester United to their knees. Darwin Nunez got on the scoresheet a minute into the second half, heading home from Harvey Elliott’s cross from close range to give the Reds a 2-0 lead.

The floodgates opened after Nunez’s goal, with Gakpo doubling his tally just three minutes later following a magnificent counter. Mohamed Salah got the better of Lisandro Martinez on the wing before playing through Cody Gakpo, who chipped the ball over de Gea to make it three.

Salah got on the scoresheet himself in the 66th minute following another Liverpool counter-attack, with the Egpytian forward sending a thundering volley past David de Gea after collecting a fortunate deflection off Scott McTominay.

The goals continued to flow for Liverpool in the second half. Darwin Nunez completed his brace with another header from close distance before Mohamed Salah became Liverpool’s out-right highest goal-scorer in Premier League history with his 129th goal for the club.

Coming off the bench, Roberto Firmino rubbed salt into Manchester United’s wounds. The Brazilian found himself on the end of Salah’s through pass and drilled his shot into the back of the net to add a seventh goal for Liverpool in the 88th minute. Liverpool’s fourth win in five league games takes them above Newcastle United into fifth position in the league and just three points behind Tottenham in fourth with a game in hand.