Salah embarrasses Martinez
Mohamed Salah stood on the halfway line as Anfield, having already celebrated a record achievement, awaited confirmation from VAR.
And when it came, Harvey Elliott was the first player to congratulate Salah with a hug that mirrored the elation of the Egyptian when the youngster was eventually awarded a Champions League goal at Rangers earlier in the campaign.
By notching his second of the afternoon, Salah edged ahead of Robbie Fowler on 129 goals as Liverpool’s leading Premier League goalscorer.
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The landmarks didn’t stop there. The Egyptian now has 12 in 12 appearances against United – his favourite opponents and the most goals scored by a Liverpool player in the fixture – and became the first Reds man to net against the Old Trafford side in five consecutive league games.
But the most encouraging aspect for Jurgen Klopp is Salah is once again in the mood. Again, the protection from the officials was questionable, Lisandro Martinez unpunished despite catching the Liverpool man in the face with an elbow first half.
Salah, though, exacted his revenge later on when leaving Martinez on his backside before laying on Cody Gakpo’s second while also claiming an assist for Roberto Firmino’s late strike. If Liverpool are to earn Champions League qualification, the Egyptian will be key.
And with Darwin Nunez overcoming a disappointing first half to notch twice after the break, it was the first time Liverpool had three players score at least twice in the same league game since September 1968. What an afternoon.
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Fabinho and Henderson prove point
The incident was easy to miss among the maelstrom of such an astonishing occasion. But it neatly encapsulated why Liverpool are now a team transformed after plumbing the depths of earlier in the year.
As the ball fell to the feet of Casemiro during a frantic start to the second half, the Manchester United midfielder was almost instantly hounded out of possession by a combination of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. A few seconds later, Liverpool were 2-0 up and the game was being taken away from the visitors.
This was the recognisable Reds of recent past: in the faces of opponents, on the front foot, pressing like demons, not allowing their rivals to settle and, most importantly, producing an end product as a consequence.
If Henderson being recalled for his 400th Liverpool start was no surprise given the importance of the occasion, that the skipper replaced Stefan Bajcetic rather than Harvey Elliott prompted eyebrows to be raised.
Klopp, though, made the right call. While Elliott lost his way somewhat leading up to half-time, his overall display, as against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, suggests he is learning the lessons of playing in midfield. He is an attacking threat, and it was from his cross that Darwin Nunez nodded the pivotal second.
Elliott again showed why he is the future. But Fabinho and Henderson still have a part to play – for this season at least.
Robertson revived
It’s almost like Richard Keys doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Only mere weeks ago, the disgraced former Sky Sports presenter was blogging about how Andy Robertson was “past his best” in a cursory dismissal of the current Liverpool side.
Such obvious nonsense was underlined here as Robertson, refreshed and no doubt inspired after being replaced by an impressive Kostas Tsimikas in midweek, took the fight to United, by some distance the game’s best player even before his sliderule pass invited Cody Gakpo to unlock the game with the opener.
His nuisance value drove the irritable Antony in particular to distraction, while his engine meant he was still bombing down the left flank long after most of United’s players had shamefully thrown in the towel.
On the other flank, Trent Alexander-Arnold was more subdued going forward but his diligence in defence meant Liverpool kept a fifth successive Premier League clean sheet for the first time this season. It won’t be the chief takeaway from this game – but it’s the main reason the Reds are giving themselves every chance of a top-four finish.
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