Red Devils Left Red-faced

Yesterday, Liverpool humiliated arch-rivals Manchester United and their under-pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they handed out a 5-0 thrashing in front of a stunned Old Trafford. 

An incredible game of football, for one side at least. The Reds dominated in every single department and even made scoring look easy. But the most alarming thing for the Red Devils is that their opponents weren’t even at their best. Indeed, if you were a Man U fan, it became painfully embarrassing to watch – as Jurgen Klopp's side took them apart on their own turf. 

Goal #1: After only five minutes, Liverpool sliced them open when Mohamed Salah fed a wide-open Naby Keita for a simple finish. 

Goal #2: Eight minutes later, it was Keita feeding Trent Alexander-Arnold who served up a perfect cross for Diogo Jota to slide in at the back post unmarked. 

Goal #3: This came in the thirty-eighth minute when again, Keita’s low cross saw Salah side-footing it past the goalie from six yards. 

Goal #4: Jota fed Salah in open space on the right and with nary a fuss, the latter scored (45+5). 

Goal #5: A superb through-ball by Jordan Henderson, bending a beautiful ball into the path of his speedy team-mate – and of course, Salah finished with aplomb in the fiftieth minute. 

If you don't know, the Egyptian (left) is the first opposition player to ever score a Premier League hat-trick at Old Trafford. His tally for the season is now 15 goals in 12 appearances, with five assists to boot. Incredible! 

In fact, by the time the final whistle sounded, huge sections of the stadium were deserted and who can blame the Man U fans?!?! 

Manchester United were fortunate it wasn’t much worse – but that was in its own way an indictment. Liverpool had mercifully decided to ease off and spare them further agony. For sure, Solskjaer’s Halloween nightmare had come early. 

A resounding victory for Liverpool and they remain just one point behind Thomas Tuchel's Blues. The Reds now rank second with 21 points in the Premier League table, while Manchester United are placed 7th with 14 points. 

Note: Sunday’s game was Manchester United’s heaviest ever defeat at home to Liverpool, whilst it was the first time they were whipped by 5+ goals at home without scoring themselves since February 1955 when they lost 5-0 against Man City.

On the Covid front – if you’re interested to know – things appear to be regressing. 

One in 55 people in England had Covid last week, according to the latest ONS figures, the highest rate since the end of January. Anyhow, the UK government have repeatedly ruled out reimposing stricter measures "immediately".

Life goes on.