Liverpool rout Man United to go top of EPL

Rob Harris | April 20, 2022

Liverpool are back where Manchester United are far from reaching: top of the Premier League.

To know why there is such a deficit in quality now between English football’s most successful clubs just look at how Liverpool’s forwards tormented United in a 4-0 rout on Tuesday.

It wasn’t just Mohamed Salah scoring twice at Anfield, after his hat-trick in the 5-0 humiliation in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Salah also assisted Luiz Diaz’s opener.

Salah’s first goal was set up by Sadio Mane.

And Mane’s goal was provided by Diaz’s pass.

All before Salah compounded another night of misery for United with a chipped finish for his second provided by Diaz’s replacement, Diogo Jota.

“They make our life easier in the midfield and at the back,” Salah said.

“They always try to give us the ball in a one-against-one situation so it makes our life much easier.”

A glorious night for Liverpool ended with four fist pumps by manager Jurgen Klopp in front of the Kop.

For the four goals? And maybe for the four trophies the season could yet end with.

The League Cup has already been collected and there’s an FA Cup final meeting with Chelsea next month.

Before then there’s a Champions League semi-final clash with Real Madrid.

And there is the hope Manchester City does not regain first spot in the Premier League, although the two-point lead could be wiped out by the champions beating Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday.

Regaining the league trophy from City in the remaining six games would result in Liverpool matching United on a record 20 English titles.

“They just showed what kind of calibre they are,” United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said.

“We are far away from that.”

United are struggling to secure one of the four Champions League qualification places, let alone win its first title since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

“Liverpool are fighting for the title,” United midfielder Bruno Fernandes said. “We are not fighting for nothing.” 

United, who had one shot on target in a sorry performance, have now conceded more Premier League goals this season than 18th-placed Burnley and defeat was a further blow to their top-four hopes.

Such were United’s injury problems — with Cristiano Ronaldo given compassionate leave after the death of his newborn son — Phil Jones made only his third appearance of the season.

By the time Paul Pogba added to those woes by coming off after 10 minutes his side were already behind.