The 2024/25 Premier League season continues, and at 11:00 AM EST on September 1st, Manchester United faced Liverpool at Old Trafford in the third round of fixtures. This marked the highly anticipated first meeting of the season between the two historic rivals. However, the match turned out to be a one-sided affair, with Liverpool completely dominating United. Díaz scored twice, while Salah sealed the victory with a goal of his own. The final score was a 3-0 win for Liverpool, leaving Manchester United with just 1 win and 2 losses in their first three matches, a disappointing start to the season.
Match Recap
Liverpool took the initiative early in the game. In the 6th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold found the back of the net for Liverpool, but the goal was ruled offside by VAR. In the 35th minute, a defensive error from Manchester United allowed Salah to assist Díaz for the first goal, giving Liverpool a 1-0 lead. United attempted to respond, but efforts from Bruno Fernandes and Mazraoui were thwarted by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. Then, in the 42nd minute, Casemiro made another mistake, allowing Salah to set up Díaz for his second goal, putting Liverpool 2-0 up.
In the second half, United continued to search for a breakthrough. In the 52nd minute, a shot from Zirkzee was saved by Alisson. However, just four minutes later, Liverpool struck again with Salah scoring to make it 3-0, effectively sealing the match. Despite United’s attempts to mount a comeback, with Rashford and Zirkzee both missing chances, they couldn’t change the scoreline. Liverpool comfortably took all three points with a 3-0 victory.
United’s Disappointing Performance
After the game, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expressed frustration with his team’s mistakes, particularly the poor performance of midfield anchor Casemiro, which raised concerns about his current form. Ten Hag emphasized how Liverpool capitalized on United’s errors and efficiently turned them into goals. On the other hand, Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, praised his team’s tactical execution and resilience, highlighting these as key factors in their convincing win.
Transfer Market and Tactical Comparison
This summer, Manchester United spent over €200 million in the transfer market in an attempt to challenge for the Premier League title. However, these signings have yet to deliver the desired results. In contrast, Liverpool remained relatively quiet in the transfer window, only making a significant move late on to sign Chiesa. Despite this, Liverpool has shown strong form under Slot’s leadership.
Both teams fielded similarly valuable starting lineups. Ten Hag’s side featured Zirkzee, Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, and Rashford in attack, with Casemiro and Mejbri as the double pivots in midfield. The defense was made up of Mazraoui, De Ligt, Lisandro Martínez, and Dalot, with Onana in goal. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s lineup included Jota as the lone striker, supported by Díaz, Szoboszlai, and Salah in midfield, with Mac Allister and Gravenberch playing as deep midfielders. The backline featured Robertson, Van Dijk, Konaté, and Alexander-Arnold, with Alisson delivering a strong performance in goal.
United’s Title Hopes in Doubt
This defeat has further complicated Manchester United’s pursuit of the Premier League title. On the league table, Manchester City and Liverpool are tied at the top with 9 points, while United have only managed to collect 3 points, falling 6 points behind their rivals. If United does not quickly improve their form, not only will their title hopes fade, but even securing a top-four finish could prove to be a difficult challenge.
