#FootballFocus: Liverpool silence their critics

Liverpool’s utter domination of Manchester United showed a big middle finger to everyone who has doubted them in recent weeks.

The reds ran riot at Anfield, putting seven unanswered goals past a hopeless United, with six coming in the second half alone.

It was a result that flew in the face of recent form – United won the League Cup just a week earlier – again proving the inimitable unpredictability of sport is what makes it so compelling.

Although not a direct derby for either club, the Liverpool vs United matchdays are always circled on both teams’ calendars with a rivalry that extends back for 128 years.

Which is all to say that a 7-0 humiliation truly means something to the club, the players and most of all, the fanbase whose growing confidence has been thoroughly hammered.

United have not lost a match by seven goals since 1931 and it is their worst loss ever to Liverpool.

This match will echo across social media for months and on television matchday throwbacks for decades. It will not be forgotten as long as the teams play each other.

Mocking chants will be created and clever puns that reference the score line will be found hanging on banners from The Kop.

It is difficult to overestimate the utter embarrassment that the result brought for an entire city, but of course, also the pride it delivered to Liverpool.

Just over two weeks after Anfield was a scene of horror, when Liverpool lost 5-2 to Real Madrid, it has again become a beacon of joy for the city – sports fans’ memories are short when its their own team.

But aside from the score line, Jürgen Klopp will no doubt be delighted with the players who made it happen.

Star winger Mohammed Salah has had a quiet season by his standards, while new signings Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez have taken a while to adjust to the Premier League.

All three got a brace on the weekend, as club legend Roberto Firmino – who announced he would leave the club at the end of the season – capped off a perfect night.

Salah’s double also made him Liverpool’s highest goal scorer in the Premier League era, with 129 since joining in 2017.

Couple this with a clean sheet, which have so far been hard to come by this year, and there simply could not have been a better momentum building result.

Now United are nine points off second and Liverpool are three points off fourth. Both have a game in hand.

How quickly narratives can change after one result. It certainly sets the scene for an exciting last third of the season.

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