Arne Slot made a significant statement in his first major test as Liverpool manager, leading his side to an emphatic 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
A brace from Luis Diaz and a goal from Mohamed Salah secured the victory, maintaining Liverpool’s perfect start to the Premier League season.
Slot, who took over from the legendary Jurgen Klopp, has quickly found his footing, guiding Liverpool to three wins from three games, putting them level with Manchester City at the top of the table.
The Dutchman’s success so far has brought optimism to Liverpool fans, who have seen their team transition smoothly despite Klopp’s departure.
On the other side, Manchester United’s season has started poorly, with this loss adding to the pressure on Erik ten Hag.
The United boss, who narrowly survived an internal review following last season’s dismal eighth-place finish, now faces increased scrutiny.
Despite a surprising FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last season and a substantial £200 million investment in the squad, United’s early performances have left much to be desired.
United’s defensive frailties were brutally exposed by Liverpool’s clinical attack. Casemiro, a key player for United, had a particularly tough outing, contributing to both of Diaz’s goals before being substituted at halftime.
The Brazilian’s misplaced pass led to Liverpool’s opener, with Ryan Gravenberch intercepting and setting up Salah, who provided the assist for Diaz’s header.
Liverpool’s dominance continued as Diaz capitalized on another United mistake just before halftime, doubling the lead with a composed finish from another Salah cross.
Salah then added his name to the scoresheet in the second half, finishing brilliantly from a Dominik Szoboszlai pass to seal the win.
Salah’s goal marked his 15th in 16 appearances against United, further solidifying his status as a nemesis for the Red Devils.
The Egyptian could have scored more, missing a close-range effort later in the game, but by then, the damage was already done.
United’s struggles were further highlighted by the introduction of new signing Manuel Ugarte, who was presented to the fans before the match.
However, Ugarte’s arrival did little to inspire a turnaround, as Liverpool’s control over the game never wavered.
Slot’s decision to repurpose Gravenberch as a defensive midfielder has paid off handsomely, allowing Liverpool to maintain their attacking fluidity while shoring up the backline.
This tactical shift has been a key factor in Liverpool’s strong start, as they remain one of the few teams yet to concede a goal this season.
With Arsenal widely seen as the main challengers to Manchester City’s dominance, Liverpool’s early performances under Slot suggest that they too could be serious contenders for the Premier League title.
Slot has quickly stamped his authority on the team, and if Liverpool continues in this vein, they could very well challenge for top honors once again, even without Klopp at the helm.
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