Liverpool vs. Manchester United result, highlights and analysis as Reds demolish rivals 7-0

David Lynch

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Liverpool vs. Manchester United result, highlights and analysis as Reds demolish rivals 7-0 image

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL — Liverpool produced a remarkable display to utterly demolish their bitter rivals Manchester United 7-0 and provide a significant boost to their top four hopes. 

Cody Gakpo had given the Reds a slender one-goal lead just before the end of what had been an engrossing and largely even first half.

But the hosts simply found another gear in the second, with Gakpo grabbing a second, and Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah both scoring braces.

The rout was then completed in emotional fashion as Roberto Firmino — who this week confirmed he will depart the club at the end of this season — scored following his introduction as a late substitute.

Victory ensured Jurgen Klopp's side moved within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham, while United's slim title hopes were effectively ended by a harsh reminder of the work Erik ten Hag still has to do.

MORE: Updated Premier League table and top four race

Liverpool vs. Manchester United result

  1H 2H Final
Liverpool 1 6 7
Man Utd 0 0 0

Goals:
LIV  — Gakpo — 43rd min
LIV — Nunez — 47th min
LIV — Gakpo — 50th min
LIV — Salah — 66th min
LIV — Nunez — 75th min
LIV — Salah — 83rd min
LIV — Firmino — 88th min

Liverpool fans get sneak peek of Klopp's next great team

For so much of this season, Manchester United have looked like a team of the future while Liverpool's best days have seemed behind them.

But this game confirmed that, while it has been a difficult campaign for the Reds, their struggles are partly down to the fact that Jurgen Klopp is busy building his next great side at Anfield.

Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo showed how key they will be in bagging braces, teenager Harvey Elliott justified his selection in central midfield with an all-action performance, and Ibrahima Konate was faultless at the back.

The age profiles of these players suggests that, even if there are teething problems along the way, the future is very bright at Liverpool.

Salah still a crucial cog for the Reds

Of course, while Liverpool are looking forward to building something special with a collection of new young stars, Mohamed Salah will still have plenty to say in what they achieve going forward.

The Egyptian was utterly magnificent here, tormenting the United defence ceaselessly en route to two goals and two assists.

Early in the season, there were question marks over whether he could justify last summer's new contract, the most lucrative in the club's history.

He is now onto 22 goals for the campaign, Liverpool's top goalscorer in Premier League history, and worth every penny he is being paid. 

Erik ten Hag still has plenty to do

Manchester United arrived at Anfield unbeaten in 12 games, with the League Cup having just been added to their trophy cabinet, and probably rather confident of turning over their rivals.

What followed was not just a disappointing defeat to an opponent who are back in the mix for a top-four finish but a hugely embarrassing thrashing. 

For all the positive work Erik ten Hag has done this season, this was a reminder that he still has so much to do to turn United into a truly elite team.

The Dutchman will no doubt have huge concerns over the manner in which his team capitulated once the game got away from them.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United as it happened, highlights

FINAL: Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United

FULLTIME: All over at Anfield and it ends 7-0 to Liverpool. What an utterly remarkable afternoon.

88th min: GOAL! What are we witnessing!? 

Roberto Firmino makes it seven as he sneaks the ball in at the near post - you couldn't have a more popular scorer given the announcement about his future this week.

Delirium at Anfield.

83rd min: GOAL! It's six!!! What a performance from Liverpool!

Salah pokes home from close range after De Gea palms one away and Anfield erupts yet again. Who could have seen this coming even at half-time?

79th min: A raft of changes for Liverpool as they look to finish the job off.

James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and Stefan Bajcetic take to the field, replacing Jordan Henderson, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Fabinho.

75th min: GOAL! Liverpool lead 5-0!!!

Nunez joins Gakpo on a hat-trick as he produces a brilliant flicked header into the far corner after leaping highest to meet a cross.

73rd min: Rashford strikes the outside of the post after rounding Alisson - the angle always looked to be against him.

Can United salvage some pride in these final stages?

66th min: GOAL! Salah makes it 4-0!!!

Liverpool's chance seems to have gone when Nunez fails to pick out Elliott on the break, but the Uruguayan is first to the loose ball and pokes it into Salah, who smashes an unstoppable right-footed effort in off the bar.

This is some performance from Liverpool.

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64th min: Liverpool just controlling the ball now and not giving United a sniff and the home fans are loving every minute of it. 

58th min: Konate heads just wide after meeting an Alexander-Arnold corner delivery and now Ten Hag is looking to his bench.

McTominay and Garnacho take the field, replacing Fred and Weghorst respectively.

56th min: Robertson fires a right-footed effort just wide with De Gea rooted after being teed up by Gakpo.

Liverpool want four.

50th min: GOAL! Liverpool are three up and cruising against their bitter rivals!

Gakpo doubles his personal tally in nonchantly dinking the ball over De Gea from the tightest of angles after being slipped in behind by Salah.

The Dutchman had in fact started the move at the edge of the Liverpool box, feeding his teammate to turn Martinez inside out before laying on the goal.

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47th min: GOAL! Liverpool double their lead through Nunez!!!

It all starts with a sloppy Shaw pass deep in the United half and, though the visitors have several chances to get the ball away, they never manage it before Elliott smashes a right-footed cross in to give Nunez a simple header from close range.

United with it all to do now.

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46th min: Liverpool get the game restarted.

HALFTIME: The whistle sounds to mark the end of a fine half of football.

Chances for both sides and plenty of intensity, but it's Liverpool who have the lead courtesy of Gakpo.

43rd min: GOAL! Liverpool get the opening goal!!!

It comes from Cody Gakpo, who sneaks in behind and onto a slide-rule Robertson pass that completely breaks United's lines before cutting in past Varane and hammering the ball into the bottom corner. 

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A really well-worked goal.

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42nd min: Casemiro heads home a free-kick delivery from the left but he is some way offside and the assistant referee's flag is straight up.

Celebrations in the away end quickly aborted.

41st min: Fabinho the first man in the book for a clip on Rashford's heels on the left touchline.

40th min: Fernandes deliveres a free-kick into the Liverpool box from a promising area but it's straight into the hands of Alisson. 

33rd min: Dalot rises to meet a Shaw free-kick delivery but his header is straight at Alisson.

United really growing into this game now and causing Liverpool problems.

27th min: And another massive opportunity for the visitors, this time for the man in form, Marcus Rashford.

Unfortunately for the Englishman he wastes it, failing to make good contact with a perfectly weighted Shaw ball in behind. 

26th min: Huge chance for United!

Fernandes meets a Dalot cross with a back-post diving header but it sneaks the wrong side of the far upright with Alisson beaten.

23rd min: Elliott and Robertson exchange passes before the latter swings in a cross that is begging to be tapped in by Nunez, but a brilliant challenge from Martinez prevents the goal. 

19th min: Nunez flashes an effort wide of the post after the ball drops kindly but the flag is up and it wouldn't have counted.

16th min: Pinball in the Unuted box after a Robertson free-kick delivery but it just won't drop for Liverpool, who fail to get a shot away before the visitors clear. 

10th min: Liverpool dominating possession in the early stages and going close when Elliott saw a shot blocked just inside the box.

United's threat has also been underlined, however, Antony forcing Alisson into a save low down to his right after cutting in off the wing.

2nd min: Two meaty challenges from Casemiro and Fred in quick succession, with the latter earning Liverpool a free-kick.

No quarter given in the first minutes of this game.

1st min: Manchester United get the game started and are attacking the Kop end in this first half.

5 mins from kickoff: The teams arrive to a deafening reception. This is a huge game and it has an atmosphere to match.

15 mins from kickoff: Manchester United's players roundly booed as they leave the field after their warm-ups. 

Liverpool, meanwhile, get a huge cheer from all four corners of Anfield, as you might expect.

30 mins from kickoff: A strong record for the Reds in recent meetings.

50 mins from kickoff: So, Manchester United's big hitters come back in, with the in-form Marcus Rashford returning to the their attack.

As for Liverpool, a big call from Jurgen Klopp in central midfield sees Stefan Bajcetic drop out, with Harvey Elliott preferred in the battle between the two teenagers. 

1 hr from kickoff: The team news is in!

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Elliott; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.

Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.

1.5 hrs from kickoff: United the form team coming into this one.

2 hrs from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Liverpool vs. Manchester United at Anfield. Erik ten Hag's side claimed a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, and so the Reds will be out for revenge in this rematch on Merseyside.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United lineups

Klopp makes the surprise call to leave Stefan Bajcetic out of his midfield as he gives Harvey Elliott the nod in the centre of the park alongside Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

Portuguese star Diogo Jota was preferred to Cody Gakpo in the 2-0 midweek win over Wolves, but it is the latter who comes in for this one.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson — Henderson, Fabinho, Elliott — Salah, Gakpo, Nunez

Subs: Kelleher, Milner, Tsimikas, Jones, Jota, Carvalho, Matip, Bajcetic, Jones.

  • Injured: Ramsay, Diaz, Thiago, Gomez, Melo
  • Suspended: None

Ten Hag made sweeping changes for the FA Cup victory over West Ham in midweek, and has recalled his key men for this one.

Rafael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Marcus Rashford form part of a reshuffled starting XI for United with Luke Shaw starting after recovering from a knock. 

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea (GK) — Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw — Fred, Casemiro — Antony, Fernandes, Rashford — Weghorst

Subs: Heaton, Maguire, Malacia, Sancho, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Sabitzer, Elanga, Garnacho

  • Injured: Van de Beek, Eriksen, Martial
  • Suspended: None

Liverpool vs. Manchester United start time

The match between Liverpool and Man United will be played at Anfield, on Sunday March 5, and will kick off at 4:30 p.m. local time in the UK.

Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories:

  Date Kickoff time
USA Sun, Mar. 5 11:30 ET
Canada Sun, Mar. 5 11:30 ET
UK Sun, Mar. 5 16:30 GMT
Australia Mon, Mar. 6 03:30 AEDT
India Sun, Mar. 5 22:00 IST
Hong Kong Mon, Mar. 6 00:30 HKT
Malaysia Mon, Mar. 6 00:30 MYT
Singapore Mon, Mar. 6 00:30 SGT
New Zealand Mon, Mar. 6 05:30 NZDT

MORE: How many trophies have Manchester United won in their history?

Liverpool vs Manchester United live stream, TV channel

A win for either side could prove definitive ahead of the end of season run-in with the race for Champions League spots becoming tighter since the start of 2023.

Arsenal and Man City look certain to remain in the top four, with United and Liverpool up against Tottenham and Newcastle for the remaining two spots.

Here's how to watch all of the action from this match in some of the major territories:

  TV channel Streaming
USA USA Network, Telemundo Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, NBC Sports website/app
Canada — fuboTV Canada
UK Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League Sky GO
Australia — Optus Sport
New Zealand Sky Sport Premier League Sky Sport NOW
India — JioTV, Hotstar VIP
Hong Kong Now Premier League TV (Ch.620-621) Now E
Malaysia Astro SuperSport 3

Astro Go, sooka

Singapore — StarHub TV+

UK: This match will be broadcast live in the UK via Sky Sports' TV and streaming services.

USA: This match streams on the NBC USA Network platform for subscribers in both English and Spanish.

Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via fuboTV in Canada.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport. 

MORE: Watch every Premier League match live with fuboTV in Canada

David Lynch

David Lynch Photo

David Lynch is a freelance football journalist primarily covering Liverpool FC. He has reported on the the Reds for over a decade for publications such as the Sunday Mirror and Evening Standard, carving out a reputation as a trusted voice on all things Anfield in the process. Having followed Liverpool across England and Europe over the course of his career, David has filed from illustrious venues such as Camp Nou, the Allianz Arena and the Estadio do Dragao, as well as from multiple Champions League finals.