By Tyler Eaton
Mohammed Salah loved facing Manchester United. Since Salah first scored at the Theatre of Dreams, only six Manchester United players have scored more than Salah’s tally of ten at Liverpool’s bitter rivals’ home since his arrival in the Summer of 2017.
The Egyptian King’s last goal at Old Trafford in September 2024, saw him equal Alan Shearer’s record for goals at one away ground. So, with a hamstring injury denying Salah one last coronation at Old Trafford, it’s only right to look at the Liverpool legends' top five games against his favourite rival.
Manchester United 2-4 Liverpool - 13th May 2021
Credit: This is Anfield
Postponed due to a fan protest over the announced proposal of the European Super League at Old Trafford hours before the game, this fixture summed up everything strange about the behind-closed-doors 2020/21 season. Once the match was finally played Liverpool were scrambling to qualify for the Champions League, and it got off to the worst start as Manchester United took the lead through Bruno Fernandes’ 10th-minute strike.
Liverpool hit back with three goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino (twice) before Marcus Rashford halved the deficit with 22 minutes to play. The Reds dug deep and the centre back pairing of Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips performed admirably to keep United at bay.
Then, in stoppage time, Salah broke free down the right and finished superbly past Dean Henderson to seal the three points. This goal was huge for Liverpool as it helped them secure the Champions League football that convinced the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz to join the club the following season.
Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United - January 19th 2020
Credit: BBC
At the top of the Premier League after 22 games, this was the point in the season when many Liverpool fans truly started to believe their 30-year wait for a league title was about to end.
United were struggling, but this was far from a breeze for Jurgen Klopp’s men. After Virgil Van Dijk’s 14th-minute header, the visitors held on tightly, not letting Liverpool create any breathing room and having two big chances of their own.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Salah once again sealed the deal. He brilliantly controlled Alisson’s kick and expertly held off the rapid Daniel James before finishing past David de Gea and setting off on a celebration that would become iconic at Anfield.
Liverpool 4-0 Manchester United - April 19th 2022
Credit: TNT Sports
The 2021/22 Liverpool team was perhaps the most complete side of the modern era at Anfield, and this late-season demolition of Ralf Rangnick’s United side was the perfect display of its capabilities.
Salah set up Luis Diaz for the opener with a low cross in the fifth minute before netting his first following an excellent through ball from Sadio Mane. Unlike the first two games in this list, there was no jeopardy here. Mane added a third in the 68th minute.
Then, with five minutes remaining, Jota found Salah with another great through ball, and the Egyptian King chipped the ball over De Gea to put a cherry on top of an excellent individual and team performance.
Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United - March 5th 2023
Credit: Liverpool FC
The 2022/23 season was a disaster for Liverpool. It was the only full season of Jurgen Klopp’s reign where the Reds failed to qualify for the Champions League. However, all that disappointment was forgiven after an emphatic, record-breaking 7-0 demolition of United at Anfield.
Liverpool only led 1-0 at half-time, but four second-half goal contributions from Salah helped bury their rivals. First, in the 50th minute, Salah put Lisandro Martinez in the spin cycle before putting the ball through for Cody Gakpo to finish.
In the 66th minute, Salah hit a half-volley that flew past De Gea to make the score 4-0. Then, a goal-mouth scramble rebounded for Salah to smash hope for Liverpool’s sixth. With two minutes to go, the Egyptian King assisted Firmino for one of the Brazilian's final goals in a red shirt.
Manchester United 0-5 Liverpool - October 24th 2021
Credit: This is Anfield
Salah’s best performance against Manchester United. A hat-trick in a 5-0 win that started the clock on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign. Alongside his three goals, the Liverpool legend also assisted Naby Keita for the opener in the 5th minute.
Salah’s first goal came in the 38th minute when he broke in front of two United defenders to smash home Keita’s cross from close range. His second came just before half time when he Jota’s pass past De Gea at the near post.
A superb outside of the foot pass from Jordan Henderson set Salah free on the right for his third goal of the afternoon. He calmly chipped the ball over De Gea’s leg to complete his hat-trick.
Add comment
Comments