Jordan Henderson has warned his Liverpool team-mates not to get too overconfident following their thumping 7-0 win over Manchester United.

The Reds inflicted a record Premier League defeat on their fierce rivals – and their joint-heaviest loss ever – in Sunday's one-sided contest at Anfield.

While Liverpool took particular enjoyment out of thrashing United, the result also moved them within three points of fourth-place Tottenham with a game in hand.

Newcastle are four points off the Champions League qualification spots, meanwhile, and have two games in hand on Spurs.

Liverpool have now taken 13 points from the past 15 on offer, but Henderson does not want his colleagues to get too ahead of themselves.

"Hopefully we can use it in the right way but you can't get too confident or overconfident, for sure," he told Liverpool's official website. 

"There are different tests along the way from now until the end of the season that will come and you need to stay positive, stay ready and stay hungry like we were [on Sunday].

"That will give us a good chance to finish the season well."

Henderson made his 400th start for Liverpool in all competitions in their memorable victory over United, 20 of those coming in the 2022-23 campaign.

It has been a disappointing season for the Reds on the whole, but captain Henderson is pleased to have seen the Liverpool of old against United.

"The performance for the whole game was really good. Intensity and energy levels were high, and something that we have been missing for a while this season," he said. 

"I thought we performed to the levels we are capable of and when you do that you get your rewards with the goals."

Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah all scored two goals each, while Roberto Firmino – who will leave Anfield at the end of the season – completed the rout.

Liverpool scored from seven of their eight shots on target in a ruthless display, scoring as many goals as they managed in their previous eight league games combined.

"Everything seemed to go in," Henderson added. "There was some great finishing, some great runs, movement and the delivery was good, so everything seemed to work.

"Hopefully this gives everyone the confidence to keep building, keep working and keep going right until the end of the season and see where we can get to."

Liverpool return to action on Saturday with a trip to bottom side Bournemouth, before facing Real Madrid in the second leg of a Champions League last-16 tie they trail 5-2.

Emre Can may not have seen Liverpool's demolition of Manchester United but felt the impact of his former side's resounding triumph.

The Reds' 7-0 blitz of their fierce rivals at Anfield on Sunday sent shock waves across Europe that echoed through former players.

Borussia Dortmund man Can was among those to take note of the drubbing despite being unable to watch the historic Premier League clash.

"I didn't see the game, I was not at home. But the reaction was amazing when I saw the result," he said ahead of Dortmund's Champions League clash against Chelsea on Tuesday.

"Of course, I'm always looking out for Liverpool, it's special to win against Man United 7-0. I imagine in the city it is a lot of fun now."

Another former Liverpool man took to social media to hail the result, Alberto Moreno posting "WHAT. A. SUNDAY" on Twitter alongside a heart emoji.

Some were closer to the action, former captain Steven Gerrard in attendance alongside the club's all-time record scorer Ian Rush – who shared a TikTok video of the triumphant celebrations on Merseyside.

Roberto Firmino is a Liverpool legend in the eyes of Virgil van Dijk and the perfect teacher for Cody Gakpo.

Firmino has informed the Reds he will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, bringing an end to eight trophy-laden years at Anfield.

The Brazil forward came off the bench to score Liverpool's final goal in the 7-0 drubbing of Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, his eighth in 18 appearances in the league this season.

Following a week in which Firmino's future took centre-stage, Van Dijk hailed the impact he has had on the team's success.

"You can't deny how important he's been for the success that we've had," Van Dijk told reporters.

"But as a human being as well, he's a great guy and I wish him obviously all the best after the summer.

"For now, we still have targets to reach, and he knows that, and he wants to make sure that we fulfil them as well.

"He's been so influential, and he should definitely be remembered as one of the legends."

Marcus Rashford is keen to ensure Manchester United's 7-0 loss to Liverpool does not define their season, calling on his team-mates to "trust the process".

A week on from ending their six-year wait for silverware in the EFL Cup final, Erik ten Hag's men were dismantled in brutal fashion at Anfield.

Liverpool dealt United their biggest ever defeat in this fixture, with the nature of the collapse harking back to the woeful displays of last season.

Prior to Sunday's match, Rashford had played a key role in leading a United resurgence, and he now wants to ensure their campaign is not derailed.

"I wish we could play a game today to try and put things right," Rashford wrote on Twitter. "The result is the result, and we can’t see past that!

"We must not let it define our season. We have to trust the process and stick together."

Liverpool are working to identify and ban the pitch invader who collided with their players during goal celebrations in Sunday's 7-0 win over Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp's side claimed a record victory against their rivals as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah each scored braces on a stunning day at Anfield.

During the celebrations for Roberto Firmino's seventh goal of the game, however, a supporter ran onto the pitch to join the players, slipped and collided with Andy Robertson.

Liverpool left-back Robertson was knocked to the ground, and the incident prompted a furious reaction from Klopp, who could be seen shouting at the culprit as he was removed by security.

Further action is to come, the club confirmed in a statement on Monday.

"Liverpool FC has begun an immediate investigation to identify and ban the individual pitch runner from Sunday's Premier League fixture against Manchester United at Anfield," it read.

"The offender ran onto the pitch and collided with Liverpool players, risking injury, as they celebrated the seventh goal in front of the Main Stand.

"There is no excuse for this unacceptable and dangerous behaviour. The safety and security of players, colleagues and supporters is paramount.

"The club will now follow its formal sanctions process and has suspended the alleged offender’s account until the process is complete.

"If found guilty of the offence of entering the pitch without permission, the offender could face a criminal record and a lifetime ban from Anfield and all Premier League stadiums.

"These acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences."

David de Gea says Manchester United's 7-0 loss to Liverpool was "a disastrous moment" and vows they will turn matters around with their "duty to this club".

Erik ten Hag's side suffered their joint-record heaviest defeat in history, as Jurgen Klopp's hosts ran rampant in their Premier League encounter at Anfield.

Coming just a week after United ended their six-year silverware drought with success in the EFL Cup final, such a capitulation stood in stark contrast to the progress they have made this term.

De Gea was all too aware of the result's impact, and took to Twitter afterwards with an open missive to supporters, vowing he and his team-mates will respond.

"I know these messages don't sit well on such a day," he wrote.

"This was a disastrous moment for us and these results shouldn't happen, especially with the journey we are all on.

"We have a duty to this club, a responsibility to represent the badge, but we have many opportunities to look ahead.

"[We have] many games coming fast, and we have to lock our focus on these."

Having played a key role at Wembley last month, De Gea turned in one of his roughest performances of the season, saving just one of eight attempts on target throughout.

Braces for Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, plus a Roberto Firmino finish, helped Liverpool extend their winning run over United.

The latter will look to promptly bounce back with the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Real Sociedad to come on Wednesday.

Erik ten Hag will gather Manchester United's players on Monday and give them the chance to explain the abject performance that resulted in a 7-0 thumping by Liverpool at Anfield.

After the heaviest defeat of the Dutchman's 481-game coaching career, Ten Hag suggested the immediate dressing-room debrief was all one way as he laid down a few home truths.

He repeatedly described United's display as "unprofessional" in interviews after the final whistle, and it was a chastening low just seven days after the high of winning the EFL Cup at Wembley.

The Red Devils have conceded 21 goals in five league games against Liverpool, and they have never lost a competitive fixture by a wider margin than seven goals, with Sunday's result sitting alongside 7-0 losses to Wolves, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers, each of which happened in a rocky spell from 1926 to 1931.

Former Ajax boss Ten Hag is learning about his players week by week, with this being his first season in the United job.

He was staggered by their reluctance to defend and track back in the second half against Liverpool, with goals from Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez just before and after half-time giving the hosts a 2-0 lead and knocking the stuffing out of United.

Ten Hag said: "As a team, you have to stick together, and that is what we didn't do. It was a surprise for me. I haven't seen this from my team and I don't think it's us, I don't think it's Manchester United. So it's really bad and poor."

Asked if the players had provided any explanation for the second-half collapse, Ten Hag said: "I didn't give them the chance till now. I've given my opinion about it, we will talk about it tomorrow. But I know this team will reset and we have to bounce back.

"There are many things that make me angry, but to concede goals so easily is definitely one of them."

Liverpool celebrated Mohamed Salah becoming their record Premier League scorer, as he helped himself to two goals in the second half, also becoming the first Reds player to score in six consecutive appearances against United.

With 22 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, Salah is the only Premier League player to post 20-plus goals and 10-plus assists this season, and two of those assists came in this game.

It may have stung that two goals also came from Gakpo, the Netherlands international who was linked as a United target before leaving PSV for Liverpool in January.

Ten Hag's long coaching career has not always been a smooth ride, as he acknowledged, and this ranked as one of the bumpiest afternoons of his time on the touchline.

He said: "I have had some bad days, but also other days if you do the right things, if you react with the right measures as a manager and as a team, then you can learn a lot from it, and you can strengthen your mentality.

"If it was more often of course then it's a pattern, but we had so many good results in the last weeks, months, so many good performances. This was a really bad performance and I talk about the second half, because in the first half I thought the team played really decent."

That was fair comment, given United troubled Liverpool on several occasions before Gakpo scored, the breakthrough goal arguably arriving against the run of play.

Conceding six goals in the second half is something that, until this game, had not happened to any Premier League side for almost 10 years.

The last to suffer the indignation had been Fulham at Hull City in December 2013, with the Cottagers going down 6-0 in East Yorkshire.

Only one team in Premier League history have conceded more in the second half of a game, with Wigan shipping eight after the interval against Tottenham in a 9-1 defeat at White Hart Lane in November 2009, Jermain Defoe getting five of the eight.

Mohamed Salah's record-breaking Premier League exploits with Liverpool are "no coincidence" to Jordan Henderson due to the forward's work ethic.

The Egypt international surpassed Robbie Fowler as Liverpool's all-time top scorer in the competition after a brace in a remarkable 7-0 rout of fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

A pair of second-half strikes at Anfield extended his impressive record against old foes United, with 12 goals in his last 12 appearances in the fixture and nine in the past five meetings.

Salah also boasts the record as the top-scoring African in the Premier League and Liverpool's record scorer in Europe, with yet another achievement coming as no surprise to Henderson.

The England international told Sky Sports: "I'm really happy for Mo because it's not a coincidence that he gets these numbers.

"He dedicates his life to football every single day, how hard he works, he's the first one in and last one out. It's not a coincidence so I'm delighted for him."

Liverpool's biggest victory over United – surpassing a 7-1 second-tier thrashing in October 1895 – moved Jurgen Klopp's side within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham, having played a game fewer.

Henderson suggested a humiliating defeat for United tasted sweeter for Liverpool given Erik ten Hag's side lifted the EFL Cup just a week before with victory over Newcastle United at Wembley.

He added: "It is a little bit because of how well United have been playing of late; they have just won a trophy the other week, which will have hurt us as a team a little bit watching them lift that and they have been doing really well this season.

"For us, it was just about today and about performing to the levels we're capable of, and we managed to do that and the momentum kept building and we ended up getting seven.

"Like Mo said, we've got to take each game as it comes now. It's a big win but we need to concentrate on the next one."

Klopp's men are just seven points adrift of third-placed United despite Ten Hag's side repeatedly coming into praise in recent weeks for apparent progression under the Dutchman.

Liverpool have struggled for form this campaign, but Andy Robertson urged the Reds to push on after picking up 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five league games.

The left-back, who assisted Cody Gakpo's opener, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "When it's a big game like this with two big teams, the first goal is always crucial.

"The message at half-time was much of the same and it went to plan and a bit more!

"We were so clinical, so good in every area of the pitch and we couldn't have ever envisaged this score but when players are confident that's what happens. Something just clicked.

"It felt like we were all over them and knew where the ball was going to be at all times. The lads can take a lot of confidence from it but we've got another big game next Saturday [at Bournemouth]

"It's three points in the right direction but we have to use it and kick on for the rest of the season now."

Jurgen Klopp hailed a "perfect" day for Liverpool as they trounced Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield.

Delighted but eager not to gloat, Klopp said the emphatic scoreline was "one for the history books but not for the moment".

But the Liverpool manager said his team were "outstanding", and he saluted Mohamed Salah for becoming the club's record Premier League goalscorer, his 129th strike in the competition taking him past Robbie Fowler.

Salah scored twice, as did Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, with Roberto Firmino coming off the bench to hit a late seventh. It had been goalless until the 43rd minute, and United capitulated after going behind.

"No words, spectacular football game, outstanding. We played top football against the team in form," Klopp said on Sky Sports. "In the second half the start was pretty good, the finish was pretty good, and everything was pretty good. That's football and it can happen.

"United played a super season and we are not really happy with our season so far, but it doesn't mean anything for the game. Today we were the clear better side for this moment, and we got a very important three points for us."

Liverpool have climbed to fifth place in the Premier League, three points behind Tottenham, and they could claw their way into the Champions League places as their revival gathers pace after a dismal start to the campaign.

United sit third, but their title hopes are effectively over now, just a week after they were in high spirits after winning the EFL Cup at Wembley.

It is now 13 points from a possible 15 over the past five league games for Liverpool and Klopp said: "There are a lot of points to go for and that's what we want.

"For tonight it was perfect. It was the push we wanted; it pushes us in the right direction. We are getting close and everyone has to feel us, has to know we are still around. It was not the case for a while, but tonight was a proper show of what we can be and what we have to be from now on."

Klopp said Salah's goals record was an "absolutely insane" achievement.

"He's a very special player. We appreciate him now, but in the future, looking back, people will realise, 'Wow, we witnessed something really special'," Klopp said.

The German boss confirmed Firmino is set to leave at the end of the campaign, when his contract expires, saying: "It's actually a normal situation. It was not an easy decision for him. Everybody can imagine. The reception he got when he came on was absolutely outstanding. That was the goal the stadium wanted pretty much the most."

Klopp was careful not to take too much delight in the fact this was Liverpool's biggest win over United. It was also a record-equalling heaviest defeat to all teams in United's history, and the most emphatic loss of Erik ten Hag's 481-game career.

Asked what he would take from being the boss whose team inflicted such a painful defeat on their fierce rivals, Klopp said: "Nothing in the moment. It's something for in 10 years looking back, and I hope the [future] coach can overcome it. It would be strange, but maybe it's possible.

"In these times I would say it's incredibly special because of the quality of the sides. It's one for the history books but not for the moment.

"We take all the positives, pretty much apart from the scoreline because it's a bit of a freak, but all the rest we take 100 per cent and want to bring it on the pitch again and again."

Erik ten Hag delivered a scathing assessment after a Manchester United dismantling by Liverpool left him without explanation for an "unprofessional" and ill-disciplined performance.

United were routed 7-0 by their old foes at Anfield as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah – the latter becoming Liverpool's record Premier League scorer – all scored braces.

Roberto Firmino added a late seventh to cap a United humiliation as the Red Devils suffered their joint-heaviest competitive defeat, ending any murmurs of a potential quadruple push after EFL Cup success.

It marked Ten Hag's heaviest loss in what was his 481st match in management, and the United boss gave a brutal appraisal of his lacklustre players on Sunday.

The Dutchman told Sky Sports: "I don't have an explanation. In the first half we were quite in control. At the start of the second half we gave two goals away.

"There was no team anymore. We didn't stick to the plan. There were 11 individuals. I don't know, it's really bad. I have given my opinion [to the players]. It was unprofessional.

"You always have to stick together as a team. We didn't do that. There was no discipline. You have can setbacks, but you have to stick together and do your job."

Liverpool enjoyed their biggest victory over fierce rivals United, surpassing a second-tier 7-1 rout in October 1895, to further their top-four push.

Jurgen Klopp's side are in fifth and trail third-placed United by just seven points, with the Red Devils desperately in need of a response after an abrupt halt to what appeared to be progression under Ten Hag.

Bruno Fernandes was subject to fierce criticism from United greats Roy Keane and Gary Neville on Sky Sports as Ten Hag's visitors seemingly downed tools in the face of adversity.

"We made the wrong decisions, that for me is unprofessional," Ten Hag added. "I'm really disappointed and angry. We let our fans down; as a squad, as a team, you cannot allow this.

"You have to stick together and support each other and fight for one another. You have to defend – we didn't do that and that is really unprofessional.

"We have made a lot of progress, but you see what happens when you don't keep the standards. What I have said in the dressing room is that this is unacceptable."

United host Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday before Southampton visit Old Trafford in the league three days later.

Ten Hag expects a response, saying: "But also it is only one game, we will bounce back. This team is strong enough and we will reset."

Liverpool shattered decades-old records in their 7-0 rout of Manchester United, delivering one of their all-time great Premier League victories.

Braces for Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah – the latter of whom set a new record of his own – saw the hosts run riot at Anfield.

Roberto Firmino, in the first game since his end-of-season departure from Merseyside was confirmed, added a final touch of gloss to a magnificent performance too.

But the scoreline wasn't the only impressive number set during 90 minutes of blockbuster entertainment for the home fans on Sunday. Stats Perform takes a dive into the Opta data from the game.

Salah writes place in Premier League history

The Egypt international has been an incredible player for Liverpool – this was never in doubt. But Sunday's double elevated his legendary status.

Salah's two goals saw him move clear of Robbie Fowler to become Liverpool's outright top scorer in the Premier League, with 129.

In addition, he became the first Liverpool player to score in six consecutive appearances in all competitions against United, continuing his rich vein of form against the Reds' bitter rivals.

Red Devils suffer joint-worst defeat in history

For Erik ten Hag's men, they crashed back to earth a week on from their EFL Cup final triumph in brutal fashion, writing an unwanted chapter in the record books.

It was the joint-worst competitive defeat they have ever suffered, last losing by seven to Wolves on Boxing Day in 1931. They also lost 7-0 to Blackburn Rovers in April 1926.

What's more, United have now lost more Premier League matches against Liverpool (19) than any other side in the competition's history, and shipped 21 goals in their past five league meetings.

It was also their worst ever loss to the Merseyside club, eclipsing the 7-1 defeat suffered in October 1895.

Gakpo and Nunez start the party

While Salah ultimately reigned supreme with his history-making performance, it was his two forward partners who got the ball rolling either side of half-time for Liverpool.

Netherlands international Gakpo struck just before the interval before adding a second later on, meaning he has now netted in three of his last four Premier League starts.

Uruguay attacker Nunez made it 2-0 29 seconds after the restart and then headed in Liverpool's fifth to take his club tally to 14, including four in his past four appearances – that's as many as he managed in his previous 14 games combined.

Nunez's second ensured he and Gakpo became the first Liverpool pair to score twice in the same top-flight match against United since Arthur Goddard and James Stewart in February 1910. Then Salah joined the party.

Bruno Fernandes held his hands up for a "frustrating, disappointing and sad" defeat after Manchester United were routed in remarkable fashion at Liverpool.

Erik ten Hag's side were humiliated at Anfield just seven days after their EFL Cup success, suffering their joint-heaviest competitive defeat after a 7-0 obliteration by the Reds.

It marked Liverpool's biggest competitive win over United, surpassing a 7-1 second-tier victory back in October 1895, as Ten Hag's side saw their faint quadruple hopes come to an embarrassing end.

Fernandes was subject to criticism from United greats Roy Keane and Gary Neville on Sky Sports, with his body language and demeanour labelled as an "embarrassment" and "disgraceful" by the pair.

The Portugal international, regularly seen waving his warms in frustration and walking around the pitch, acknowledged Ten Hag's side were humbled after a torrid performance.

He told Sky Sports: "It is very frustrating, disappointing and sad because it is a really bad result. We came here with a different mindset before the game.

"The first half was really good from ourselves, we had a lot of chances. We controlled most of the first half I think, they didn't create that much.

"[In the second half] we tried to go forward and score goals and we lost a bit of balance. We gave too much space away against this kind of team. We have to avoid that."

United host Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday before Southampton visit Old Trafford three days later in the Premier League.

Ten Hag's men trail leaders Arsenal by 14 points and are just seven clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, with Fernandes calling for a much-needed immediate response.

"The games are coming thick and fast. We had setbacks in the past and we have to come back quickly again," he added. 

"This is what Manchester United are about, we can go down but we have to get back up."

Gary Neville labelled Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes "embarrassing" and Roy Keane said Erik ten Hag's players should go into hiding after a 7-0 humbling by Liverpool.

Liverpool's three starting forwards – Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez – each scored twice, with substitute Roberto Firmino coming off the bench to add to the humiliation.

It was Liverpool's heaviest-ever win over United, their great rivals, and came just a week after the visitors to Anfield won the EFL Cup.

If United's Wembley win pointed to a bright future, this Sunday shoeing on Merseyside was a wake-up call.

United legends Neville and Keane offered no sympathy.

A stunned Neville said after the game: "They've not understood, I don't think, the dangers of this fixture, that when you concede a goal and the crowd get up, it can just swallow you alive and that's what happened today. That Manchester United group of players have been eaten alive in that second half."

During the game, Neville condemned United's defending as "a mess", "appalling", and at 3-0 he said the visitors had "lost their heads".

At 4-0, Neville said United's experienced stars were "playing like schoolboys", and as the scoreline worsened for the men from Old Trafford so the rage increased.

"The second half has been an absolute disgrace, a shambles," Neville said on Sky Sports, "epitomised by no one more than the captain, Bruno Fernandes, who I think has been embarrassing at times.

"It's not their usual performance, it's not their usual spirit, it's not their usual form, and [Ten Hag] will deal with it, I'm sure, very quickly, like he's dealt with other difficult situations this season."

Looking at Fernandes, Neville said: "Some of his behaviour in the second half has been a disgrace."

Keane agreed on that point, saying Fernandes had been "nothing short of disgraceful" in what goes down as the joint-heaviest defeat in United's history, in terms of goal margin.

"You wouldn't be happy with him in your dressing room today," Keane added.

A no-nonsense midfielder and captain in his time, Keane said the result for United made it "obviously a very, very bad day, obviously a shocking day really".

He added: "The senior players, you can use all the words... embarrassing, they didn't show any leadership skills, particularly the senior players, the goals they gave away were shocking.

"Thank goodness I've never been part of a team that's been beaten by that much playing for Man United. The players will be embarrassed and no doubt be ashamed of their performance, particularly the second half when the going got tough and they just went missing to give up that many goals.

"It is the hardest place to come for a Manchester United player. When you go two goals down you've got to show some sort of pride, fight, spirit. They didn't show any of that."

Keane praised Liverpool, saying Jurgen Klopp's team were "brilliant", "back to their very, very best" and "ruthless".

But there was no doubt United let them walk over them.

"The senior players for Man United, the players we give the big build-up to, they're the ones who let the club down today," Keane said. 

"I always try and imagine that if you get beaten in a game like this, six or seven nil, you'd go into hiding as a player. I think I'd go missing for a few months. It really is that embarrassing for the players."

Mohamed Salah expressed his delight at setting a "special" record for Liverpool during the 7-0 drubbing of Manchester United.

The Egypt star netted a brace during the rout to take his tally of Premier League goals for the Reds to 129, surpassing the previous record held by Robbie Fowler.

Having endured a disappointing spell with Chelsea before excelling in Italy with Roma, few would have expected Salah to have the impact that he has, but the forward was determined to make history when he arrived at Anfield.

Salah told Sky Sports: "It's very special, I can't lie. This record was in my mind since I first came here.

"In my first season, in my mind, I was always chasing the record so, to make it today against United with that result was unbelievable.

"I'm going home to celebrate with the family, chamomile tea and sleep."

Despite recording their biggest ever win over fierce rivals United, Salah says the Reds must stay grounded after they moved into fifth place - three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the battle for Champions League qualification.

"It's very special to win the game like that but at the same time, we don't want to go into the next game with overconfidence," he added.

"We just need to be humble, just play and win games. We're not in the position that we want to be, but hopefully this gives us a good push and we can keep winning."

That sentiment was echoed by captain Jordan Henderson, who also hailed Salah for his dedication.

"It's a fantastic day for everyone. The performance levels, every player was top quality. You could see the energy levels were back," he said.

"We have shown recently we are on the path back. It's a big win but we need to concentrate on the next game.

"I'm really happy for Mo. He dedicates his life to football. He is the first one in and the first one out."

Manchester United were seemingly starting a bright new era. Last weekend's EFL Cup success at Wembley was their first trophy in nearly six years and provided a tangible element to the improvement inspired by Erik ten Hag.

But a week on, they have suffered their joint-heaviest competitive defeat of all time, with Liverpool dishing out a truly remarkable 7-0 defeat at Anfield in a game that Reds fans will hope provides a glimpse into their own promising future.

It's been a difficult season for Jurgen Klopp's side, their issues summed up by February's 5-2 demolition at Anfield by Real Madrid, but Sunday's victory – their biggest in the history of this fixture – is the perfect tonic.

Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah were the stars, all three scoring twice. In the week that Roberto Firmino announced his imminent departure, it was somewhat fitting that the Reds' new-look attack – and the Brazilian as well – produced such a dominant display.

As ridiculous as it sounds, Liverpool supporters would've been forgiven for seeing letting their early optimism subside, though. Let's not forget, they were 2-0 up against Madrid during the aforementioned chastening defeat – here, they failed to make the most of their initial promise.

United grew into the game and created chances. Antony forced a good save from Alisson, Bruno Fernandes headed agonisingly off target, and Marcus Rashford – of all people – hit a tame effort straight at the goalkeeper when seemingly destined to score.

On the balance of the first half, United would probably feel they were the better side and had the bigger opportunities.

But their sloppiness in the final third provided Liverpool with the encouragement they needed, Gakpo's impact proving especially poignant.

It was the Dutchman whom United were apparently keen on when it appeared Antony was initially unattainable last year. Ten Hag stuck to his first choice and the Red Devils ultimately paid through the teeth to get the Brazilian.

Yet his performance could not have been more contrasting to that of Gakpo. Antony's final pass was routinely disappointing, and he created precious little given how much of the ball he had – and that's been a recurring theme during his early months at United.

With Gakpo, however, there was ruthless purpose in almost everything he did, be it direct runs on the counter or springing breaks with his use of the ball.

Perhaps most importantly, though, was his clinical edge in front of goal.

He exploited space in behind Fred – filling in briefly at right-back for Diogo Dalot – and latched on to Andrew Robertson's incisive pass. One touch knocked the ball inside Raphael Varane, who became unbalanced, and his next was a gorgeous finish into the bottom-far corner.

The goal could not have come at a much better time for the Reds, who were under pressure in that moment just before half-time, and they carried that momentum into what proved to be an utterly astonishing second half.

A comedy of defensive errors from United led to Liverpool doubling their lead 29 seconds into the second period, setting the tone for the next 45 minutes. After Luke Shaw's wayward pass, Casemiro, Varane and Fred all failed to clear the ball, eventually Harvey Elliott's pass was headed in by Nunez.

It only got worse for the visitors.

A corner of their own three minutes later turned into a 3-0 deficit. Gakpo brilliantly led a break, releasing Salah before darting into the box and receiving a return pass, which he impudently flicked past David de Gea.

A kind ricochet led to Salah hammering in number four off the crossbar, before Nunez coolly guided in a towering header as the scoreline began to take a humiliating form for the away side.

More embarrassing defending saw Salah bundle in after fine work by Firmino to become Liverpool's record scorer in the Premier League, and the Brazil forward put the cherry on the icing on the cake, squeezing in past Dalot.

United lost their heads. Shaw and Fernandes were arguably lucky to avoid red cards, while the body language of both – and others – was appalling in the latter stages as Liverpool tried to pile on the misery.

In the end, Liverpool had to settle for seven – it could have been more.

Nevertheless, the Reds' victory was an incredible statement of potential. Nunez has received pelters all season, Gakpo took a few games to start looking like he'd settled.

At times this season Salah has almost had to do it all himself, with injuries to others and a lack of form elsewhere robbing him of the opportunity to really build relationships and partnerships in the attack.

On Sunday it all came together with the ever-reliable Egyptian their heartbeat, providing a chilling glimpse of what could be on the horizon.