Liverpool stopped the Manchester United bandwagon when Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah scored twice in a 7-0 record hammering out of their arch-rivals to boost their first four Premier League hopes at Anfield on Sunday.

Within five minutes of the restart it was all over as the match was over with Nunez making it 2-0 with a header after a comic United defense before a lightning fast Salah-led Liverpool counter ended with Gakpo finishing big style for 3-0.

With United in disarray, Salah came into action with a clinical finish in the 66th minute and Nunez then headed in an impotent David De Gea in the 75th minute.
Salah then rubbed salt into United’s wounds with a close-range strike to score a club record 129 Premier League goals before Roberto Firmino came off the bench to score seven.

Liverpool had beaten United 4-0 at Anfield last April, but given the reversal of fortunes for the two clubs since that day, this result came as a huge surprise. Liverpool 7-0 Man United: player ratings

Goals: Gakpo 43′ 50′, Nunez 47′ 75′, Salah 66′ 83′, Firmino 88′

Alisson (out of 10) – 8

Alisson was his usual calm self between the sticks on a day when he was able to be a spectator for much of the proceedings.
There was a heart attack at 3-0 after poor control in the box but other than that he was reliable in everything he did.

Trent Alexander Arnold – 9

Alexander-Arnold has improved over the last few games and it was one of his best performances of the season so far.
There were some incisive forward runs and passes, while defensively he did well with Bruno Fernandes in a roving left roll.
A tackle on Marcus Rashford earned him a huge hug from Virgil van Dijk.

Ibrahim Konaat – 9

What makes Ibou different!

Konate’s comeback has been hugely positive, especially the poor form of Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, and he was outstanding on Sunday.

The Frenchman showed a strong positional sense, making important interceptions and also an impressive forward once.
A monstrous figure.

Virgil Van Dyke – 9

Van Dijk has been looking almost at his best lately and this time around he was absolutely flawless.

Rashford’s pace was always a threat but he handled it well and was commanding when the goals came. Still as good as anyone when that’s the case.

Andy Robertson – 9

Robertson returned for Kostas Tsimikas and more than justified his performance with a typically influential and biting display.
The Scot provided an excellent assist to opener Cody Gakpo, showing vision of him, and did well in a lively battle with Antony.
One of Liverpool’s best outfield players this season.

Fabinho-9

Fabinho has shown promise in recent appearances and this was another sign that he is on the right track. A powerful early interception set the tone for his afternoon and while he still seems slower than in the past, there are more than a few glimpses of the old Fab’s return.

Jordan Henderson – 8

Henderson returned to the team after a hugely underperforming season, but he did a great job in a rare No.8 role on the left side.
The captain’s use of the ball wasn’t the most subtle with too many aimless passes skyward, but he worked his way out of his socks and kept the intensity high.
Really tough day at the office – hats off to his response.

Harvey Elliot – 8

Perhaps surprisingly, Elliott was kept in Liverpool midfield at the expense of Stefan Bajcetic. The teenager did very well overall though, proving determined in possession and capable of crossing the lines with quick feet and vision.

There was a bad moment, a sloppy pass that put the Reds in trouble but he justified his shot and netted an assist.

Mohamed Salah – 10 (Man of the Match)

Salah was Liverpool’s best attacking player at Anfield, narrowly marked by Luke Shaw but wreaking havoc in the end.
As is now the custom, the Egyptian king needed a miracle to get free-kicks – it’s an outrage at this stage – but he persevered and ended up being the best player on the pitch.
Scored both goals with vigor and conceded two assists – there are few better players in the world when he’s like that.

Darwin Nunez – 9

Nunez was used on the left wing again and was unplayable when he left, again silencing doubters.
In fact, he was overpowered at times in the first half, but then he came to life, scoring twice and making United defenders look like pub players.
A brilliantly crazy footballer.

Cody Gakpo – 10

It was always Gakpo or Diogo Jota in the lead and the former got the nod, perhaps for his superior connection game.

It’s fair to say the Dutchman delivered emphatically, burying a brilliant finish to make it 1-0 for Liverpool and adding a glorious third place finish. If Gakpo was signed as Roberto Firmino’s heir, the evidence is suddenly very promising.

Substitute

James Milner (instead of Fabinho, 78′) – 8

He was doing laps in stoppage time – it was the kind of day!

Stefan Bajcetic (for Henderson, 78′) – 8

It looked silky smooth when it arrived, but the game was over.

Diogo Jota (in place of Nunez, 78′) – 8

Looked like a threat but a goal didn’t quite surface.

Roberto Firmino (for Gakpo, 78′) – 9

After announcing his departure this summer, score! What a moment!

Curtis Jones (for Elliott, 86′) – 7

Barely had time to do anything.
Unused substitutes: Kelleher, Matip, Tsimikas, Carvalho