Nine points from three games. Seven goals scored, none conceded. Impressive, but to win 3-0 away at Old Trafford, in Arne Slot’s first big test, is special. A double for Luis Diaz and the obligatory Mo Salah goal are the bare facts but, ultimately, there was a chasm between the two giants of English football which could have led to a more embarrassing score line.
The home side started well, the crowd boisterous, vocal, and were anticipating a home performance to give them something to shout about. However, United play in moments, there’s no real pattern and on the break Liverpool’s midfield three of Ryan Gravenbech, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mac Allister tore them apart. First Diaz headed home a Salah clipped back-post cross and he then finished sublimely from yet another Salah pass, this time with the outside of his foot.
Two nil at half-time and, with further attacking situations creating opportunities for Liverpool to score, a United revival was surely a certainty in the second half. However, little changed for the home side and once Salah scored yet again at Old Trafford, the destiny of the game was settled. In fact, further Liverpool goals looked inevitable, whilst only in the final 20 minutes did United really look likely to score, with a close range save by Alisson denying Zirkzee.
Three goals up, and with United beaten, Slot made some changes. Kostas Tsmiskas made his 100th appearance, whilst Darwin Nunez changed the dynamics of Liverpool’s attack. With 10 minutes remaining, Ten Hag’s theatre of nightmares began to empty. Liverpool fans meanwhile, serenaded the beleaguered Dutchman with the infamous wheel song, and taunts of relegation with the blue s***e.
So Slot, having hit the jackpot at Old Trafford, is off to a dream start. Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football having been replaced with a more considered, methodical style. It’s a style that perhaps offers less of an adrenaline rush, but it is results that count in football.
