Liverpool were struggling for an explanation after a stunning defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford meant they are yet to win a game three matches into the new season.
A few month back, Jurgen Klopp's team were chasing a historic quadruple. But things have not gone according to plan this term, and it only got worse as Liverpool saw a struggling United overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges that have plagued them on and off the pitch to register a 2-1 win.
United's Jadon Sancho opened the scoring in the 16th minute, before Marcus Rashford doubled the hosts' advantage with a second-half strike.
Liverpool pulled a goal back through Mohamed Salah, but United held on to secure the win and leave Klopp's side trailing defending champions Manchester City by five points and early leaders Arsenal by seven.
"I'm very disappointed about the result," Klopp said after the game. "It is a game where everything was clear what United would do. Were they more aggressive than us at the beginning? Probably, yes.
"It was exactly the game United wanted to play. That's our fault, you could say.
"But until the final pass or final decision we played like we should have played. We had a lot of moments in the box.
"We scored a goal, which was absolutely deserved, but it was slightly late. We could have won the game tonight if we'd played slightly better."
Man United v Liverpool ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 8. His defenders saved him in the first half. Got down to save from Fabinho after 66. Fine one handed save after 80. Fuming a minute later when Salah scored. AP -
Diogo Dalot 7. Strong at right-back. A little too strong when he was booked for a yellow card on 45.A positive night for the Portuguese. Reuters -
Raphael Varane 9. Started ahead of captain Harry Maguire. Booked after 27, but the sight of him juggling the ball in the Liverpool box before setting up Rashford caught the mood with United at 2-0. The Varane Manchester United hoped they were buying. Won everything in the air. AP -
Lisandro Martinez 9. Brilliant sliding block from Salah after 40 and then saved the ball on the line from what was going to be a Fernandes own goal 30 seconds later. Positioning was flawless. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia 8. Positive start. Two key clearances as Liverpool pushed for a late equaliser. Got in front of Firmino – and in the faces of almost every Liverpool player - to break another attack up in those final tense minutes for his side. Fantastic debut. Offside -
Christian Eriksen 7. Curled a 24th minute free-kick towards goal and the fingers of Becker. Always had attacking intent. Worthy performance. EPA -
Scott McTominay 7. A surprise starter and he came out flying. Which he needed to do after performances this season. Scooped the ball away as Liverpool tried to get a goal back after 56, then blocked a 74th minute attack. EPA -
Jadon Sancho 8. Put his side ahead on 16 – controlling a ball, taking five neat touches and placing it along the floor past Alisson. His best moment since signing. AFP -
Bruno Fernandes 7. Captain and set up Elanga who hit the post. Almost scored his first goal of the season – at the Stretford End in his own goal after 40. Martinez saved him. Took one poor touch as United went for a third after 73. Booked on 74. Told off by his manager for trying to play a through ball near the end. Getty -
Anthony Elanga 7. Played on the left of a front three and hit the post when he should have scored, then assisted Sancho to put United in the lead. The Stretford End sang his name. Off at half time. Getty -
Marcus Rashford 8. Played centre-forward and put United 2-0 up with a sweet finish, his first in the Premier League since January, then shot wide after 55 after being set up by Varane. Will have been delighted to hear the Stretford End sing his name. Offside -
SUBS: Anthony Martial 7. On for Elanga at half time. Looked confident. Set Rashford up for the second. Beautiful twist, turn and control to play the ball away from danger on 79. At the sharp end of a 91st minute attack. Reuters -
Fred 7. On for Sancho after 70. Defensive role to stop Liverpool breaking through. PA -
Donny van de Beek NA. On for Eriksen after 85. Steady in seeing out the game. PA -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka NA. On for Dalot after 86. Cleared a 91st minute attack and another a minute later and another a minute after that – and that was enough as United held on. AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo NA. On for Rashford after 85. Spooned a shot over on 90. Getty -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian was let down by his defence for the goals. He made a fine save from Eriksen and kept the score down. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 3. When the 23-year-old is good, he is very, very good. This was one of his bad nights. It was ugly. Getty -
Joe Gomez – 6. The 25-year-old was the best of a poor defensive bunch. He made a couple of timely blocks and was less ruffled than his colleagues. PA -
Virgil van Dijk – 4. The Dutchman was unusually static, particularly on the opening goal. He showed his class by cutting out Rashford on the counter but overall he was way below his normal standards, as Milner pointed out. PA -
Andrew Robertson – 5. The Scot did not produce much going forward although he was solid when defending. He was withdrawn for Tsimikas with five minutes to go. Getty -
Harvey Elliott – 5. The 19-year-old was anonymous for long spells and did not help his defenders enough. He was better in the closing stages when his passing hinted at better things. Getty -
Jordan Henderson – 4. The captain pressed hard with limited success and was too often left stranded by the opposition’s pace and crisp passing. He made way for Fabinho in the 59th minute. Offside -
James Milner – 4. The 36-year-old produced more bluster than brilliance. His frustration showed in some questionable challenges and a running row with Van Dijk. He made way for Carvalho in the 73rd minute. AFP -
Mohamed Salah – 6. The Egyptian was isolated and the defence doubled up on him. Even so, he caused chaos when he got the ball and he pulled a goal back with a sharp finish. Getty -
Roberto Firmino – 3. The Brazilian swung his foot and missed the ball completely in the area in the second half and it summed up an unhappy night. He sat way too deep for much of the game and when he got forward he was ineffective. Reuters -
Luis Diaz – 6. The Colombian showed plenty of ambition and was the most direct of the Liverpool strikers. His relationship with Robertson needs serious work, though. Getty -
SUBS: Fabinho – 6. The Brazilian replaced Henderson in the 59th minute and settled things down in the midfield. He forced De Gea into a save with a back-post header. Getty -
Fabio Carvalho – 6. The Portuguese came on for Milner in the 73rd minute and produced a bright cameo. His shot created the chance for Salah to score. Getty -
Kostas Tsimikas – 5. The Greek joined the action with five minutes to go in place of Robertson. He was almost embarrassed by Martial. Reuters
Defender Andy Robertson said Liverpool have been making life difficult for themselves by conceding early goals.
The Reds have conceded first in all their league games this season and Robertson said another shaky start at Old Trafford swung the tide in their opponents' favour.
"We give every team a goal start which is the basis of the game, you can't keep on giving yourself an uphill battle," Robertson told Sky Sports.
"We've conceded an early goal again, we've started slow again and that's what needs to change. We can't keep going one behind.
"Probably in the warm-up it was the quietest I have ever heard this stadium - they wanted something to lift them and we unfortunately gave them it and then they obviously got behind their team."
The Scot added that Liverpool's habit of starting slowly was a long-running issue, pointing to a string of results from the end of the previous season.
"Even when you go back to the end of last season, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Real Madrid, Southampton, teams like that, that was the back end of last season and it had already kicked in," Robertson said.
"So it needs to change. Like I said, in this league against good teams, you can't keep giving them a goal start and just now unfortunately that's what we're doing."
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Fans take part in an organised protest march outside Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United match against Liverpool on August 22, 2022. PA -
Fans walk to the Old Trafford ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. PA -
Fans take part in an organised protest march outside Old Trafford. PA -
A man sells scarves outside the Old Trafford ground. PA -
Manchester United fans protest ahead of the Liverpool match. Action Images -
Fans arrive amidst high police security. EPA -
Fans arrive amidst police presence. EPA -
Fans arrive amidst police presence. EPA -
Police watch over fans outside Old Trafford. EPA -
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at Old Trafford ahead of the Premier League match against Liverpool. Getty -
A banner protesting the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United outside the stadium before the match. Action Images -
Raphael Varane of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford and signs autographs for fans. Getty -
Scott McTominay of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Tyrell Malacia of Manchester United arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
Manchester United's David de Gea and Anthony Martial arrive at Old Trafford to face Liverpool. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes signs for fans at Old Trafford. Getty -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford. Getty -
Fred looks happy ahead of the Liverpool clash. Getty -
Christian Eriksen arrives at Old Trafford. Getty -
A fan has a photo taken in front of a banner protesting the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United. Action Images -
Stewards outside the stadium before the match against Liverpool. Action Images -
A banner outside Old Trafford. Action Images -
A banner is displayed protesting the Glazer family’s ownership. Action Images -
Stewards outside the stadium before the match. Action Images -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. Getty -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest against the Manchester United owners. Getty -
Liverpool fans hold pictures of Manchester United's owners and sing songs in their support. AFP -
Police keep watch outside the ground ahead of an organised protest. Getty -
Fans walk to the ground ahead of an organised protest. Getty -
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Shirts protesting about the Glazer ownership of Manchester United are sold outside the stadium. Getty
