Big match reaction: Solskjaer's 'darkest day' as Salah celebrates Old Trafford hat-trick

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester

Kevin Palmer Twitter

October 24 2021 07:05 PM

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has accepted the blame for their 5-0 thrashing at the hands of bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

United boss Solskjaer told Sky Sports it was "the darkest day I've had leading these players", and added: "We weren't good enough, individually, as a team. You can't give a team like Liverpool those chances and unfortunately we did.

"The whole performance wasn't good enough, that's for sure. We've created openings, they've had chances, they've been clinical, we didn't take our chances early on and then the third goal is the one that decided the game."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp struggled to find the words to sum up his side's remarkable win, as he revealed he was still demanding more from his team at half-time.

Manchester United's Harry Maguire in action with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah

After the Reds piled the pain onto United by storming into a 4-0 lead at half-time, the ruthless Klopp has some clear words of advice for his players as the gathered in the Old Trafford away team dressing room.

"I told them at half-time to play better," revealed Klopp. "We started incredibly well and stopped playing football. We controlled the game after the fifth, it was not about scoring more, just trying to get out without more injuries."

He went on to offer some more considered words on Liverpool's biggest win against their greatest rivals at Old Trafford.

"What can I say? Did I expect that? No. What we did in the last third was insane," he stated.

"Pressing high, winning balls, scored wonderful goals. I told them at half-time to play better. We started incredibly well and stopped playing football. We controlled the game after the fifth, it was not about scoring more, just trying to get out without more injuries.

"The result is insane, I asked if there was one like this in history and if there isn't then it will take a while. The players put a nice piece in the book. It is special but we don't celebrate like crazy, we have respect for the opponents. We were lucky in some moments, United are not in their best moment.

"Three points against a real opponent but you have to understand these games right. We got lost against Aston Villa and you have to learn off it. We smashes Crystal Palace once and the results are not interesting. I analyse the games, we can play better football and have to concentrate more.

"5-0, I couldn't be happier, it is exceptional. Absolutely outstanding. I have a few defeats in my mind which was not necessary but we won today so we drink beer on the way home."

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, meanwhile, apologised to the club’s fans.

Maguire, who has been part of the United defence that have conceded eleven goals in the last three matches, offered no excuses for a woeful performance from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team,

"Apologies to the fans. It's nowhere near good enough. We spoke in the dressingroom. As a club we've got to do better,” he told Sky Sports.

"We gave them too many chances. To concede four in the first half is nowhere near good enough.

"As a player, I'll be looking at myself. We've got to stick together. You look at yourself in the mirror.

"To lose to Liverpool hurts. The way we lost the game is not good enough.

"The term I'd use is 'not good enough.' We've got to look at ourselves as individuals."

Salah told Sky Sports after the match: "I think it's great to win 5-0 here. We knew before the game it would be tough if we didn't play our football. We managed to do that from the beginning which made the game a bit easier.

"We knew they would come and would try to give everything to win the game so in our heads we had to be 100 per cent, we needed to dominate the game and I think we did it.

Asked about his personal run of goalscoring form, Salah said: "As long as the team keep winning, I'm more than happy. I'm always trying to give assists. The first one I could go alone but I gave it to Naby, so I think I'm trying always to give my best for the team to win, which is the most important thing."

Former United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger claimed the heavy defeat was not a surprise.

The German tweeted: "A devastating day for all @ManUtd supporters and the club but it didn't come out of nowhere. It was not a surprise. @LFC showed them the difference, which is huge - having a philosophy & vision. Congrats, #LiverpoolFC. Hopefully #ManchesterUnited will get back very soon."