Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool's 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United as "one of the best performances for a long time" as the Reds set a new record margin of victory in the clash between English football's two most successful clubs.
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all scored twice while substitute Roberto Firmino, who will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, rubbed more salt into United's wounds by rounding off the scoring at Anfield.
"It was one of the best performances for a long, long time. Everybody saw what the boys can be," said Klopp.
"The second half couldn't start better. From that moment on we were flying and it was really difficult to play against us."
It was United's worst competitive defeat in more than 90 years. United have lost 7-0 on three previous occasions – the last time coming in 1931 against Wolves. The score also eclipsed Liverpool’s previous best victory against United, a 7-1 win in 1895.
“A few months ago everyone thought it was a good moment to play Liverpool – you can’t say it publicly but everyone thought it – because they felt we were struggling a lot," Klopp added. "But now it is less of a good moment, we look much more like ourselves. It is important that everyone knows we are here and we are still alive.”
A landmark win could be the launchpad for a powerful finish to the campaign for Liverpool. Until recently, even a Champions League qualifying top-four finish looked in doubt, with Liverpool suffering bruising losses to Brentford, Brighton and Wolves since the start of 2023.
Liverpool v Man United ratings
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LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson - 7. Calm and assured during a relatively even first half. A spectator in the second half as his outfield teammates ran riot at the other end of the pitch. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7. Took care of his defensive responsibilities and pushed forward in the second half as Liverpool pinned United back. Getty -
Ibrahima Konate - 8. Rock solid at the back, with the Frenchman producing several interceptions, blocks, and clearances in the first half. Konate could then enjoy the view in the second half. Getty -
Virgil van Dijk - 8. A vintage Van Dijk display as the Dutchman led the defensive line and kept United's attacks through the middle quiet. Getty -
Andrew Robertson - 9. A British media outlet asked its readers in the build-up to this match to select their combined XI. Bafflingly, Shaw was chosen ahead of Robertson. After this performance, the Scot offered another reminder that there really is no comparison. Ran United ragged down the left and provided a superb assist for Gakpo's opener. AFP -
Harvey Elliott - 8. A display beyond his years from the 19-year-old midfielder. Supplied the cross for Nunez's first - Liverpool's second - and helped dominate United in midfield in the second half. Getty -
Fabinho - 8. Apparently the Brazilian's legs are gone. There was little evidence to support that argument at Anfield as Fabinho controlled the midfield in the second half to allow his attacking teammates to fill their boots. PA -
Jordan Henderson - 8. A controlled performance from the Liverpool captain, who helped his side dominate in the second half. Supplied the cross for Nunez's second and Liverpool's fourth. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 10. Two goals and two assists to become Liverpool's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer. It was Salah at his devastating best - as he so often is against United. Getty -
Cody Gakpo - 9. The Dutch forward hinted at the World Cup he was a player for the big occasion, and after a goal in the Merseyside derby, went one better on Sunday. Gakpo scored two stunning goals to play a key role in this historic rout. AFP -
Darwin Nunez - 9. The Uruguayan has been an easy target for mockery during his debut season but this should silence the haters. Nunez was lethal against United by scoring two excellent headers. He now has 14 goals in all competitions. EPA -
Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson 78') - N/A. The 18-year-old Spanish midfielder provided some fresh legs in midfield. EPA -
Diogo Jota (Nunez 78') - N/A. Given a brief run-out as the Portuguese forward continues to find his fitness following a long-term calf injury. EPA -
Roberto Firmino (Gakpo 79') - 8. The Brazilian is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, but the club might be keen to convince him to stay after this brilliant cameo. Credited with the assist for Salah's second then scored Liverpool's seventh with a fine finish. EPA -
James Milner (Fabinho 79') - N/A. Brought his experience to the match for the final 11 minutes. Reuters -
Curtis Jones (Elliott 85') - N/A. AP -
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea – 2. Conceded seven goals at Anfield. Seven. He wasn’t at fault for Liverpool’s first shot on target – Gapko’s first goal. That’s about the best thing we can say about his performance. AFP -
Diogo Dalot – 2. Magnificent cross to Fernandes on 25 and headed a Shaw free-kick on target after 32 as United built pressure. Didn’t stop Robertson’s in run up to Liverpool’s goal. Got worse and worse in the second half. AFP -
Raphael Varane – 2. A doubt before the game like Shaw, but Fabinho’s arm in his face let him know what this game means. Slow as he let Gapko get onto his favoured foot to shoot and put Liverpool ahead. Couldn’t clear his lines for the second and what was he doing for sixth? Or was it the seventh? AFP -
Lisandro Martinez – 2. Headed a 21st minute Robertson shot clear and blocked Nunez a minute later. Then his arm blocked the dangerous Salah. Fell apart like his team. Booked. AFP -
Luke Shaw – 2. Impressive again down the left in the first half. Deliberately slowed the game down at the start – it appeared to be an instruction from his manager. Superb pass to Rashford on 26. Poor pass which let Liverpool in for the second. Lost his head in the second half, like the rest of United. An embarrassment of an afternoon. Getty -
Casemiro – 2. Appeared to be in pain early on and he gave the ball away a couple of times. His worst game for United. Went too early - his 41st minute header into the net was offside. PA -
Fred – 2. Strong against Salah but positioning all wrong for Liverpool’s opener. Then then it all turned as United collapsed and Liverpool recorded their biggest ever win against United. Getty -
Antony – 2. Played left in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Curled a shot on target on nine minutes, drew strong tackles, looked a danger. Poor final ball. Regressed like the rest in his first game for United at Anfield. PA -
Bruno Fernandes – 1. Headed a Dalot cross wide on 25. He was attacking on 49 – the ball was lost, Liverpool countered and scored the third. Gave ball away again too much in the second, then went down claiming he’d been hit on the face. He hadn’t. Appalling in the second half, the worst of a bad bunch. AFP -
Wout Weghorst – 2. Played as a 10, gave ball away in a 24th minute attack. It didn’t work, while Liverpool’s attackers showed what top quality looked like. Getty -
Marcus Rashford – 2. Played centrally and beat Van Dijk for pace in the first half. Didn’t get the best touch to a fine Shaw ball on 27 – a solid chance. Ran back and defended well when his side were a man down. Hit the outside of the post at 0-4, the closest United came to scoring. PA -
SUBS: Scott McTominay (Fred 57’) – 2. Booked for a tackle on Gapko. He won the ball but then lifted his studs. Shot deflected off him for Liverpool’s fourth. PA -
Alejandro Garnacho (Weghorst 57’) – 2. Nothing. Let’s hope he never wants to feel this humiliation again. AFP -
Marcel Sabitzer (Casemiro 57’) – 2. Couldn’t stem the relentless attacks. AFP -
Tyrell Malacia (Martinez 77’) – N/A. What could he do? Soak the atmosphere up? AFP
This win, however, closes the gap to fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur to three points with a game in hand.
It was also evidence of a growing understanding between Liverpool’s new-look attack.
Klopp said: “No one was doubting Darwin’s future impact. Cody plays in the most difficult area in the pitch against a man-marking side, which is super tricky. Mo is Mo.”
Salah became Liverpool’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League with 129 goals in 205 appearances, surpassing Robbie Fowler's mark with his second strike against United.
“It’s very special, I can’t lie. This record was in my mind since I came here,” Salah told Sky Sports.
Salah earlier in the week became only the second Liverpool player after Ian Rush to score 20 goals for a sixth successive season.
With fourth place now in sight, Liverpool fans might yet dream of an unlikely comeback in the Champions League round-of-16 game against Real Madrid later this month.
While European champions Madrid lead 5-2 after the first leg at Anfield, this was the type of performance to make the Merseyside club believe anything is possible.
Klopp’s assessment of Sunday's game was concise: “Freak result, top performance.”
