Man Utd hit new low in ambarrasing Liverpool defeat

Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United were torn apart by Liverpool at Anfield, as their apparent lack of effort left a lot to be desired on a chastening night against their rivals.

That was Gary Neville’s assessment on Sky Sports commentary duty of Liverpool’s second goal at Anfield on Tuesday, scored by Mohamed Salah after a sublime team move, but it really could have been used to describe United’s entire performance.

Liverpool were everything United were not: Aggressive, physical, slick, passionate and co-ordinated.

Anyone reading the form tables going into this game knew Liverpool were favourites. Ralf Rangnick said himself that his team would have to be at their highest level to even come away with a point.

But regardless of form and league position, this is one of those games where those away fans sitting in the Anfield Road End turn up hoping for a display of passion, grit and determination.

If their team is going to lose, then at least make it look like they are trying.

The United players must have missed that memo.

You would not know that this United side are still in the race for a top-four finish. As Rangnick said on Saturday after their 3-2 win over Norwich City, a team that defends like this does not deserve to be challenging for a place to compete in Europe’s elite competition.

On Merseyside, there was further evidence to back up his claim as Liverpool strolled through United’s back five.

The 5-0 defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season was humiliating for United, and though the 4-0 scoreline was not as brutal, the display was not much better.

Liverpool toyed with United at times, with Thiago Alcantara at the heart of everything they did well. Rangnick could only wish to have a player of such aptitude at his disposal for his final five games as United boss.

A midfielder is top of the club’s transfer list this summer, and they need someone in the same mould as the Spain international. Thiago completed 98 per cent of his passes in a first half where Liverpool were in complete control, claiming 76% of the total possession.

But as good as he and his Liverpool team-mates were, they were assisted by a group of United players who were operating at a walking pace and refusing to press.

They shied out of every 50-50 challenge and struggled to deal with the class and quality on display from the home side as they moved to the top of the Premier League table.