Sunday's 7-0 mauling of Erik ten Hag's side threatens to derail their season as much as it has reignited Jurgen Klopp's hopes of a top-four finish
Aren't Liverpool meant to be in crisis? We thought Manchester United were meant to be back? If anyone decided that Sunday's match at Anfield would be the first they watched this season, they would have refused to have believed either of those narratives.
Jurgen Klopp's side have shown signs of reviving their campaign in recent weeks, but they took things to a different level here as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all scored twice before Roberto Firmino rounded out the scoring to seal a record-breaking 7-0 win.
For United, though, this was a damaging reality check just a week on from their triumphant Carabao Cup final victory.
It was the Red Devils' heaviest Premier League defeat, and it could have been even worse as Erik ten Hag's side capitulated in the second half after going in just 1-0 down at the break.
Any slim hopes they had of clawing their way back into the title race are now likely gone, and they must dust themselves off quickly to ensure their season is not derailed.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from an extraordinary day at Anfield…
GettyWINNER: Cody Gakpo
Had things worked out differently, Cody Gakpo might have been wearing the white of United here. How glad Liverpool are that he was not.
The Dutchman was electric, elusive and decisive as his new employers got their best return yet on their £37 million ($46m) January investment.
What a contribution he made, opening the scoring in style just before half-time with a great finish from a superb Andy Robertson pass, before adding a sublime third for his side with a delicious scooped effort from Mohamed Salah’s assist.
Two months into his Liverpool career, Gakpo has got a goal against Everton and a brace against Manchester United under his belt. Money well spent, it seems.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Luke Shaw
Sitting back and reflecting on the game, it’s easy to forget that Shaw put in a decent performance in the first half here.
In the second half, though, he was atrocious, with his poor pass that led to Liverpool's second goal a sign of things to come in hindsight.
The England defender also threatened to lose his temper as his frustration grew, and could have been sent off for clashing with Darwin Nunez.
For one of United's best performers of the season, this was massively out of character.
GettyWINNER: Mohamed Salah
When he plays like this, who can live with the Reds’ Egyptian King?
We keep hearing that Salah is having a quiet season, but he now has 22 goals in all competitions, and this was a performance of quite stunning quality from the 30-year-old superstar.
Dangerous from the off, Salah, like Liverpool, exploded into life after half time, cutting a bewildered United defence apart like an adult dropped into an Under-9s game and told to rattle some cages.
His assist for Gakpo’s second (Liverpool’s third) was sublime, and he was there himself to make it four, lamping a shot home via the underside of the bar with his right foot.
That goal moved him level with Robbie Fowler as the Reds’ all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, and 17 minutes later, he’d moved past him, reacting quickest in the six-yard box to make it 6-0.
There was still time for another assist, a pass rolled beautifully into Roberto Firmino’s feet, with the smiling Brazilian doing the rest.
Seventh heaven for Liverpool, but just another day at the office for their incredible No.11.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Antony
The Brazilian flashed an early shot to Alisson’s far post which required a good save from his compatriot, but that was about as good as it got for Antony.
He kept slowing down United’s play and could have released Marcus Rashford on a couple of occasions, but took too long to release the ball.
His crossing was sloppy and he tried his usual trick of cutting on to his left foot with little effect.
Still has a lot to prove, especially given his £85-million price tag.