Optimism wasn't high ahead of Manchester United's trip to Liverpool and the gloom was well justified as they suffered another hammering against their great rivals.
After losing 5-0 at Old Trafford in October it was a similarly humiliating display at Anfield on Tuesday as the Merseyside outfit ran out 4-0 winners to go top of the table and pile further misery on United. It took less than five minutes for Jurgen Klopp's team to take the lead as they ripped through the defence on their first attempt before Luis Diaz tapped home.
A sublime team move doubled the lead before the break as Sadio Mane clipped a ball over the top for Mohamed Salah to latch onto and dispatch. United actually showed some resolve after the break and looked positive but any hopes of a comeback were soon put to bed when Mane casually scored a third. Salah grabbed his second late on to compound another disaster for United.
ALSO READ: Gary Neville blasts Manchester United players vs Liverpool FC
Here are six moments you may have missed from the game.
1 - De Gea v Trent
After Diaz slammed home his opener, Trent Alexander-Arnold followed in and wellied the ball back into the goal and clipped De Gea in the face in the process. It didn't go down well with the goalkeeper who immediately shoved the right-back, Alexander-Arnold pushed back and the pair stood face-to-face like rutting stags for a moment before the referee separated them.
2 - Another bad reception for Pogba
Pogba was jeered off the pitch when he was substituted against Norwich and the same thing happened again at Anfield, though this time he was taken off after less than 10 minutes due to an injury. As he walked off the pitch there was little applause from the travelling fans and plenty of x-rated gestures aimed in the Frenchman's direction.
3 - Late start to the half
The second half was late to start as referee Martin Atkinson had trouble with his gear, with it looking as though his microphone wasn't functioning properly. He had to go off the pitch to get it fixed and as kick-off was delayed there was more embarrassment for United.
First, it took them a few seconds before they opted to copy Liverpool and pass a ball around to keep warm but then every pass they did make was sarcastically cheered by the home crowd, piling on the humiliation. Atkinson mercifully then reappeared from the tunnel to what must have been a rare cheer from the spectators.
4 - Lingard anger
As most of United's team jogged around the pitch and showed very little fight or defiance, Jesse Lingard couldn't hide his frustrations. Early in the first half, he snapped seemingly at attacking teammate Anthony Elanga for being too wide as he was trying to launch a counter.
Then later on in the match, Lingard let everyone who was in listening distance have it. He closed down Liverpool's defence and goalkeeper furiously to try and trigger a press but his teammates didn't follow him, which allowed for plenty of passing options for Liverpool to easily play out from the back.
Lingard was furious upon seeing he was on his own and it says a lot that the only player to show some emotion - other than an 18-year-old brought on with a few minutes remaining - is one who will be leaving in the summer when his contract expires.
5 - Early exit
The thousands of United fans that braved the trip to Merseyside finally gave up with around 10 minutes remaining and the exodus truly began when Salah made it four. All the while the home supporters bellowed 'you're so s*** it's unbelievable' to truly rub the salt in the wounds.
United's players didn't deserve the support they did get earlier in the game and it's a wonder many more fans didn't leave much earlier.
6 - Damning statistics
United lost to their biggest rivals by an aggregate score of 9-0 this season, the biggest gap in score between the two teams ever in a single season. The previous record was five. But perhaps more shocking is that they conceded eight goals over two games against a single side for the first time in their Premier League history. Before then extending that record to nine.
Couple that with an xG of 0.09, just two shots on goal all game and a single one on target, the lowest in a game this season, paints the picture of a level of performance that no adjective can do justice.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
