Match Recap - Liverpool 7 - 0 Manchester United -  Liverpool Dismantle United in Their Best Game of the Year

Michael
5th March 2023

Liverpool handed Manchester United their heaviest defeat in the era at Anfield today. The 7-0 drubbing is clearly the pinnacle of the Reds' season so far. Cody Gakpo, Darwin Núñez, and Mohamed Salah each scored twice. Roberto Firmino scored the Reds' 7th in the 89th minute to close out what will surely be a result Liverpool fans remember for years to come.

This match with so much hype going into it, absolutely delivered for Liverpool and neutral fans alike. Anyone supporting , however, they've had a very bad day. The Reds came in waves the entire match and the Red Devils had no answers, especially after halftime.

It's hard to believe that this match was 1-0 at the half. Liverpool absolutely poured it on in the second half. Jürgen Klopp often talks of heavy metal football and this was a total Liverpool mosh pit in the second half.

Most importantly, the puts Liverpool in 5th place in the Premier League. Not only that, they are now just behind Tottenham for the final Champions League qualification spot in 4th. The Reds also still have a game in hand and a superior goal differential over Spurs.

First Half

Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

The first half of the match was action packed with Liverpool starting brightly, carrying the play for the first 25 minutes. Manchester United grew into the half and then felt the more dangerous team for the next 15 minutes. They would have 3 chances at goal but, all of them were right at Alisson.

The hectic and frantic pace felt like there should be a goal, and yet as the match headed towards the half, there were none. Enter: . The Dutch forward broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute in favour of Liverpool. 

Andy Robertson threaded in a brilliant pass, and then Gakpo cut past the United defender Dalot and finished the play low to the right side of the goal. It was a goal that Liverpool deserved, having played so brilliantly for large parts of the first 45 minutes. Little did we know, this was only a taste of things to come.

Second Half

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Liverpool took the momentum gained by Gakpo's goal at the end of the first half and came out flying in the second. They wasted absolutely no time in taking it to United. First, it was in the 47th minute. 

The Reds fought their way up the pitch, through a number of United challenges. Harvey Elliott found the ball and sizzled in it to the box, where the Uruguayan giant headed it

Gakpo only had to wait another 3 minutes to get his second of the match. In the 50th, slipped it through to Gakpo, and on a tight angle, he finished the ball past David De Gea for Liverpool's 3rd.

This was only the beginning of an absolutely once-in-a-lifetime half of Liverpool football. Mo Salah would take over the narrative in the 66th minute. His goal smashed into the roof of the United net and would Robbie Fowler for the most goals in the Premier League with 128.

Núñez would get his second in the 75th with another thumping header. And then Salah would break Fowler's record with his 2nd of the match and 129th in the Premier League in the 83rd. Substitute would make it lucky number 7 in the 89th minute to wrap up the Reds' scoring on the day. 

LFC Globe Verdict

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That. Was. Awesome!!! This is the Liverpool team we've been waiting all season to see. The Reds were unstoppable today. Thrashing one of our biggest rivals this badly has all of Liverpool Land euphoric. 

We talked about momentum in our preview and the Reds gave us a lesson in it today. They took the momentum they've gained in the league over the last few weeks and put on a show. Also, in the game, they had momentum for nearly all of the first half and then they used it to crush United in the second.

Man of the Match and What's Next

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I'm going with Men of the Match today. It's going to be more of 3 stars after a hockey game situation. 3rd star goes to Cody Gakpo, he got the Reds going with their first 2 goals. 2nd star goes to Darwin. Both of his goals were thumping headers that helped put United .

1st star goes to Mo Salah. The Egyptian King scored twice to pass the great Robbie Fowler for the all-time leader in Premier League scoring. He also set up Gakpo's second goal with class in the 50th minute.

Let's not worry about what is next for the rest of Sunday… Let's savour it. But then… Liverpool go to next Saturday. It's a lunchtime kickoff from the south coast at 12:30 GMT. 

Goals

Liverpool

  1. Gakpo 43'
  2. Nunez 47'
  3. Gakpo 50'
  4. Salah 66'
  5. Nunez 75'
  6. Salah 83'
  7. Firmino 89'

Manchester United

  • None

Substitutes

Liverpool

  1. Bajcetic for Henderson 78'
  2. Jota for Nunez 78'
  3. Firmino for Gakpo 79'
  4. Milner for 79'
  5. Jones for Elliott 85'

Manchester United

  1. Garnacho for Weghorst 58'
  2. McTominay for Fred 58'
  3. Sabitzer for Casemiro 77'
  4. Malacia for Martinez 77'
  5. Elanga for Rashford 85' 

Cards

Liverpool

  1. Fabinho 41'
  2. Salah 84'

Manchester United

  1. Antony 53'
  2. Martinez 60'
  3. McTominay 65'
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