LONDON: Arne Slot will long remember his first visit to Old Trafford as new manager of Liverpool. Two goals from Luis Diaz provided a 3-0 win over a poor Manchester United, the first time since 2013 that Liverpool have won their three opening games with clean sheets.

Both Diaz’s goals were laid on by Mo Salah who scored No3. Michael Owen, in 2001, had been the last Liverpool player to score a league double against United on assists from the same team-mate (Emile Heskey).

Liverpool’s players fly off for their various international duties level top of the Premier table on points with Manchester City, edged off top spot only on goals scored.

Thus Slot’s team achieved something which proved beyond Jürgen Klopp to beat Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag had drawn pride from the fact that Manchester United had achieved more in trophy terms than Liverpool during his two years in England: one League Cup and one FA Cup compared with one League Cup. However Liverpool walked out at Old Trafford fortified by last season’s record of having finished third while United had ended up eighth.

United’s new part-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had sought to make up some of the difference via the transfer window. They had been the second-highest Premier League spenders with £205m on five new players while Liverpool had contented themselves with only £10m on Federico Chiesa.

The clubs’ 215th meeting in all competitions and the first with two Dutch managers saw United make a bright start then enjoy a fortunate escape. Liverpool broke forward in the eighth minute but Trent Alexander-Arnold was denied an opening goal by VAR. Mo Salah had been offside as he deflected the initial cross from Luis Diaz.

Ryan Gravenberch had started the move and proved increasingly influential in midfield.. The Bayern old boy was again the spark when Liverpool took the lead for real in the 35th minute. Casemiro gave away possession, Gravenberch pounced and sent Salah down the right to cross for Diaz to score from close range.

Seven more minutes and Diaz had scored his and Liverpool’s second goal. Casemiro again lost possession and Salah again provided the assist. Here was more evidence for United’s purchase of a new defensive midfielder in Manuel Ugarte. The ex-PSG Paraguayan had been introduced to fans before the game.

Casemiro was replaced at halftime by academy graduate Toby Collyer for a Premier debut. His arrival made no difference. In the 56th minute Kobbie Mainoo was bullied out of possession by Alexis Mac Allister before Salah easily struck his 15th goal in 16 games against United.

Twice United were lucky to escape conceding further goals and twice Joshua Zirkzee wasted chances for a consolation goal as fans’ boos and jeers rang around Ten Hag’s ears and the stands emptied long before the final whistle.

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