9/10 Mohamed Salah lights up Old Trafford – Liverpool player ratings v Manchester United
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has sent a statement of intent to the Premier League with a 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Luis Diaz opened the scoring for the Reds with a well-cushioned header past Andre Onana and doubled the lead approaching half-time to take his tally to three goals for the season.
Mohamed Salah turned goalscorer from creator in the second half, adding his third consecutive Premier League goal in as many matches after assisting Diaz’s brace.
Here’s how Liverpool News rated each player out of 10 at Old Trafford, with all stats from SofaScore.
Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-0
Alisson – 7
Alisson had a relatively quiet first-half with Man United failing to test the goalkeeper but he thwarted an effort from Joshua Zirkzee early in the second half with a wonderful save. The Brazilian was a brick wall in the Liverpool goal, denying a point-blank effort again from Zirkzee, with three saves on the day he never looked like conceding.
Trent Alexander-Arnold [off for Conor Bradley 74′] – 6
The vice-captain was unlucky not to give the Reds the lead inside the opening minutes when his effort was chalked off for offside. Otherwise, it was a fairly underwhelming performance for his usual high standards with only one long ball completed out of five attempts, losing possession 17 times, and was dribbled past twice. He looked happier to be removed at Old Trafford than last weekend with his side now three for three in the Premier League.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Konate was the quieter of the two Liverpool centre-backs with four clearances, two tackles, and 85 per cent duel success. The Frenchman has firmly regained his place in the starting lineup for Slot since replacing Jarell Quansah on the opening day.
Virgil van Dijk – 7
It was a busy first half for the Liverpool defence as the Reds struggled to gain control of the match. The captain made 10 clearances, two interceptions, two tackles and matched his partner Konate, winning 85 per cent of his duels. Van Dijk also completed one key pass, the Reds are yet to concede a goal in the Premier League this season.
Andy Robertson [off for Kostas Tsimikas 82′] – 6
It was a routine performance for Robertson, he was only called upon a handful of times with Erik Ten Hag targeting the right side for his attack. The Scotland captain made one key pass and completed 100 per cent of his cross attempts but couldn’t add another assist to his Premier League record.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7
Gravenberch is making the Reds’ decision not to pursue a defensive midfielder this summer look like a masterstroke. The Dutchman was excellent again as the anchor of the midfield three with four interceptions, two tackles, winning 70 per cent of his duels and completing 83 per cent of his passes. Slot has found his specialist number 6 in the current Liverpool ranks.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
It was an afternoon to forget for Mac Allister who never managed to establish his presence in the match. He kept his side ticking with 86 per cent pass completion and made one key pass but otherwise, there wasn’t much to shout about from the Argentine as his teammates stole the show.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7
Szoboszlai had a quiet first half, not seeing much of the ball in an end-to-game in the opening 45 minutes. The Hungarian helped the Reds gain more control of their lead in the second half with three key passes, creating one big chance to assist Salah for the third goal of the afternoon. He shows glimpses of the Szoboszlai of last season, winning 66 per cent of his ground duels and earning his reputation as a work-horse in a solid outing for the 23-year-old.
Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz run the show for Liverpool
Mohamed Salah – 9
Salah continued his new role as the playmaker of the Liverpool attack. He created three big chances out of three key passes, assisting both Diaz goals with a pass completion of 76 per cent. The Egyptian rounded off his incredible display by scoring the third goal for Liverpool, he could have added another shortly after with his second shot of the game flying over the crossbar.
Diogo Jota [off for Darwin Nunez 74′] – 5
The Portuguese forward was non-existent at Old Trafford after a blistering start to the 2024/25 campaign. Jota managed just one off-target shot while on the pitch and failed to complete any of his 5 dribbles attempted. It was certainly an off-day for a forward that has proven so clinical this season and Nunez will be licking his lips as he can now challenge for a starting spot in the side.
Luis Diaz [off for Cody Gakpo 64′] – 9
The Colombian has become a revelation under Arne Slot this season for Liverpool. Diaz was the decisive player on the pitch at Old Trafford scoring two goals with his only two shots on target. The 27-year-old has scored in all three Premier League fixtures for the Reds this season and looks ready to take the league by storm.
Substitutions:
Cody Gakpo – 6
Gakpo looks a far cry from the player that finished joint top goalscorer at Euro 2024 this summer with his cameos for Liverpool this season. The Dutchman faces an uphill battle displacing Diaz in the starting lineup, he had two off-target shots and missed one big chance in an underwhelming appearance at Old Trafford.
Conor Bradley – 6
The right-back made an instant impact when replacing Alexander-Arnold, his pass found Szoboszlai in the penalty area but the Hungarian stumbled over his feet and denied Bradley an assist.
Darwin Nunez – N/A
Kostas Tsimikas – N/A
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