Liverpool delivered a masterclass of tactical efficiency at Old Trafford on September 1, 2024, sweeping aside arch-rivals Manchester United 3-0 in a dominant Premier League performance. A first-half brace from Luis Díaz and a second-half strike from Mohamed Salah maintained head coach Arne Slot’s perfect winning start to life in England without conceding a single goal across his opening three league games.
The clash at Old Trafford exposed fundamental structural flaws in Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United midfield. Operating in a fluid 4-2-3-1, Liverpool targeted Casemiro’s slowness in possession. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister formed a disciplined double-pivot that repeatedly pressed Casemiro into turning over the ball in deep defensive zones, directly leading to Liverpool’s opening two goals.
Liverpool broke the deadlock in the 35th minute following a fatal turnover in midfield. Casemiro’s loose pass was intercepted by Gravenberch, who immediately drove into space before feeding Mohamed Salah on the right wing. Salah’s measured first-time cross bypassed Matthijs de Ligt, finding Luis Díaz unmarked at the far post to header past André Onana.
Seven minutes later, Liverpool doubled their advantage through an almost identical press-and-punish sequence. Casemiro was again dispossessed in his own half, this time by Luis Díaz. The Colombian winger linked up swiftly with Salah on the edge of the box before sweeping a precise low finish into the bottom left corner.
Ten Hag withdrew Casemiro at half-time, introducing 20-year-old Toby Collyer, but Liverpool remained relentless in their structured pressing. In the 56th minute, Kobbie Mainoo lost possession to Alexis Mac Allister near the center circle. Dominik Szoboszlai quickly shifted the ball to Salah, who swept a first-time left-footed finish past Onana, marking his 10th career goal in all competitions at Old Trafford.