Graeme Souness blames ‘very slow’ Raphael Varane for Liverpool’s opener against Manchester United

Graeme Souness insists Fred and ‘very slow’ Raphael Varane were to blame for conceding Man United’s opener at Anfield.. as the Red Devils suffer a CRUSHING 7-0 loss to Liverpool

Graeme Souness heavily criticised Manchester United pair Raphael Varane and Fred after Cody Gakpo fired in Liverpool’s opener during their 7-0 mauling of the Red Devils at Anfield.

The Dutch winger finished coolly past David de Gea just before the break after an excellent run and pass from Andy Robertson, but Souness felt the goal should have been avoided.

‘Fred gets it wrong,’ he told Sky Sports at half-time. ‘He doesn’t need to take those steps to his right, an then he ends up slipping. 

‘Varane is very slow, he can’t get his feet in the right place. You have to give Andy Robinson great credit, but then when the shot comes in [Lisandro] Martinez cuts across [David] De Gea’s sightlines, he can’t even make an effort to try and save it.

Liverpool extended their lead to 7-0 after the break and shocked Erik ten Hag’s in-form side, thanks to two goals each from Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Gakpo.

Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for Liverpool on Sunday as they beat Manchester United 7-0

Graeme Souness felt Fred 'got it wrong' as Andy Robertson breezed past him for the first goal

Graeme Souness felt Fred ‘got it wrong’ as Andy Robertson breezed past him for the first goal

The pundit also blamed Raphael Varane for reacting 'very slowly' to Gakpo's movement

The pundit also blamed Raphael Varane for reacting ‘very slowly’ to Gakpo’s movement

Gakpo completed his brace after the break, as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez netted twice

Gakpo completed his brace after the break, as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez netted twice

There was also a fairytale strike for Roberto Firmino, who scored the seventh after announcing he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the season. 

Both Gakpo and Nunez have been criticised at times after arriving in a struggling side this season, but they appear to be winning over the Kop faithful and resurrecting the Reds’ league campaign. 

The result will come as something of a shock for United fans, after an excellent few weeks for Erik ten Hag’s side that have seen them win the League Cup and mount a challenge for the title. 

The loss means United remain eight points off second-place Manchester City, although they are still fighting in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Liverpool move within four points of fourth place Tottenham with a game and could still be on track for a Champions League place despite a less-than ideal start to the season.

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