Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry insists his commitment to the club is stronger than ever and will continue to “invest wisely” in the transfer market.
The 73-year-old American, as head of the Fenway Sports Group, reaffirmed an assertion he made last month that Liverpool was never put up for sale in November and the process was only designed to seek outside investment.
FSG has been criticised in some quarters for the lack of spending on players at a time when the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United, backed by new owners, are bolstering their squads.
A perfect storm was created this season with Jurgen Klopp's side underperforming for the first six months of the campaign and – with even the Premier League top four looking a difficult ask – scrutiny fell on the lack of investment in an ageing midfield, which was seen as the primary issue.
Klopp has spoken about a refresh coming in the summer when several players will be out of contract but, with the club making England international Jude Bellingham their primary target, the fee needed to prise him away from Borussia Dortmund could well exceed £100 million.
It is not the only signing Liverpool need to make and the cost of a rebuild was partly the reason FSG started looking outwardly for new money, but even if that search is successful, Henry said it would not lead to the type of spending seen at Chelsea, who have splashed out in excess of £500 million since last summer.
“While we formalised a process that has identified potential investors for the club, we remain fully committed to the long-term success of the club,” Henry told the Liverpool Echo.
Liverpool 7 Man United 0: Player 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
“That has been the case since day one in 2010. Our efforts every day have been and continue to be focused on the long-term health and competitiveness of the club.
“Investment in the club is never for the short term. This approach has been successful over the long haul with patience necessary from time to time.
“We've seen many football clubs go down unsustainable paths. We have and will continue to focus our attention on investing wisely in the transfer market and we remain incredibly proud of our squad.
“At the same time we continue investing in our training facilities, our main stand and currently the Anfield Road stand.
“These are all physical reflections of our resolve and how very seriously Fenway Sports Group takes its responsibilities for this great club.
“In regard to Liverpool Football Club, our commitment remains stronger than ever.”
Things have taken up upturn on the pitch with Sunday's 7-0 win over Manchester United a fourth win in a five-game unbeaten run which has provided the platform for the club to move into the top four with victory in Saturday's early kick-off at Bournemouth.
