This will sting, be absolutely certain of that. It won’t matter one bit to Jose Mourinho that there were no Premier League points on offer, here was a defeat to make a grim summer even worse.
Having cut such a surly figure on what has appeared to be such a charmless tour of the United States, Mourinho had no answers as Liverpool ran all over Manchester United, thrashing their bitter rivals 4-1 in front of a remarkable 101,254 crowd at the second biggest sports stadium in the world.
Liverpool, whose preparations for the new campaign have been so smooth, ran amok in the second half, inflicting the kind of ‘beautiful defeat’ Mourinho had predicted earlier this month, with Daniel Sturridge and new £13million signing Xherdan Shaqiri instrumental.
Xherdan Shaqiri put the gloss on an incredible result for Liverpool with a stunning overhead kick late in the game
The Swiss international wheels away to celebrate the strike that had the rest of his team-mates watching on, mouths agape
Liverpool were awarded a first-half penalty when Demetri Mitchell brought down Mohamed Salah inside the area
Sadio Mane stepped up and, just as he had done against Manchester City, slotted the spot-kick passed the goalkeeper
The Senegal striker celebrates with Adam Lallana after giving his side the lead at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor
Jose Mourinho’s men were not behind for long, as Andreas Pereira levelled the scores with a superbly taken free-kick
Both of those men scored, while Sadio Mane – in the first half – and Sheyi Ojo converted penalties. Mourinho, a waspish figure on the touchline, saw Andreas Pereira crash in a terrific free-kick but had nothing else to enjoy.
Mourinho, as is his way, dropped one of those little hand grenades before the game. Asked what he expected, the Portuguese replied that it was ‘Liverpool’s first team to beat Manchester United’s kids; for the last two years they have not been able to beat us.’
Everything Mourinho says is for a reason and the reference to the youth of the side with which he started was another indication that he is not happy with the depth of his squad, 11 days before the transfer window closes.
Those ‘kids’, though, made a bright start. This might have been a friendly but the early tackles were firm and there was certainly an edge, particularly when Andreas Pereira became involved in a shoving match with James Milner. Juan Mata, meanwhile, showed glimpses of his undisputed class.
Liverpool, however, had the better of the opening 45 minutes. The most dangerous moments came when Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were working quickly in tandem, playing the kind of passes that United’s defenders turning hastily on their heels.
Pereira celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the equaliser in front of a packed-out stadium of over 90,000 fans
Daniel Sturridge put the Reds back in front when he picked out the far corner after being teed up by Xherdan Shaqiri
The England international celebrates with Liverpool’s new signing after his goal was laid on a plate by the Swiss forward
Sheyi Ojo scored from the spot to strengthen Liverpool’s grip on the game after Ander Herrera was penalised
Shaqiri salutes the crowd with two thumbs up after his sensational goal brought an end to the scoring
In a five-minute flurry, Salah’s back header forced Lee Grant to make a superb fingertip save, Virgil Van Dijk’s header was cleared off the line by Pereira and Salah (again) had a header that Grant comfortably gathered, following good work by Adam Lallana and Mane.
It came as no surprise, then, that Liverpool broke the deadlock. Referee Ismail Elfath had no doubt that a clumsy push from young left-back Demetri Mitchell was responsible for halting Salah’s progress. Mane, as had been the case against Manchester City, fired in the resulting penalty.
But, almost immediately, United drew level with a superb goal. Pereira whipped 25-yard free-kick over Liverpool’s wall and into the top corner, leaving Kamil Grabara – the 19-year-old Polish keeper who was deputising for the injured Loris Karius – with no chance.
Pereira has been at Old Trafford for years but has never established himself. Will he get the chance to do so under Mourinho? You would say it is unlikely. But what you can say with certainty is he showed more desire and determination than several of his team-mates.
Mane puts a cross into the Manchester United box as goalkeeper Lee Grant keeps his eyes on the ball
New Liverpool signing Fabinho challenges United’s Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez during the clash in the United States
Sanchez is one of only a handful of senior players in the United team during their tour, and he struggled to shine in Ann Arbor
Both sides made significant changes in the second half but the manner in which United fold will have startled Mourinho. Liverpool were faster, smarter, sharper, everything the complete opposite of their bitter rivals. The difference in their preparations could not be more stark.
Once Liverpool took the lead for a second time, they were never going to be caught. It was a fine goal, too, with Shaqiri – who has only trained with his new team-mates for three days – showing terrific strength to hold off Eric Bailly and tee up Sturridge, whose instinctive finish zipped in.
Two became three moments later. Andrew Robertson’s charge into the box was crudely halted by Ander Herrera and Ojo did the rest, strolling up to take the kick and firing left footed into the bottom corner and sending Joel Perreira the wrong way.
The best was saved for last. With the clock ticking down, Ben Woodburn danced to the byline and picked out Shaqiri. What followed was stunning as he jumped into the air and crashed an overhead kick into the net from 12 yards.
It left the majority of the bumper crowd exultant and had some of Shaqiri’s team-mates holding their heads in disbelief. On Manchester United’s bench, however, Mourinho sat with his arms folded and chuntering. This was bad. And he knows it.
Dominic Solanke came close to scoring with a backheel flick, but was denied by a combination of Lee Grant and Eric Bailly
Liverpool fans were a picture of contentment in the final stages as they saw their side dismantle their old rivals
Conditions were perfect and ‘The Big House’ was packed out as the two Premier League sides lined up before kick off