Díaz doubles up to ensure a perfect start to Slot's reign

It was difficult to imagine a more perfect afternoon for Arne Slot - or a more harrowing one for Erik ten Hag who, just three games into the Premier League season, is back in familiar territory; the vultures circling, his credentials as the Manchester United manager under yet more scrutiny.

- David Hytner

Slot had won his first two games in charge of Liverpool - against Ipswich and Brentford-but this was supposed to be an acid test. It was not, United so obliging, their first-half woes epitomised by a terrible performance from Casemiro. Things did not get any better thereafter, the only consolation being they avoided a real pasting, one to rival the 7-0 at Anfield from two seasons ago. Liverpool had the chances to rack up a similar number of goals.

A manager can beat only what is in front of him and Slot and his players did the job with a flourish. Their superiority in every area was pronounced and when Luis Díaz scored his second goal for 2-0 at the end of the first half, it became nothing more than a question of the eventual margin of victory.

They contented themselves with one more from Mohamed Salah - the perennial thorn in United's side-and Slot could reflect on more than a fluid attacking performance. His team were remorseless without the ball and it was a third clean sheet in three games for them. At the end of it all, the message was clear: Slot intends to be in the title shake-up.

Old Trafford was half empty by full-time, those who remained too stunned to jeer. The TV cameras had made the obligatory cutaways to a grim-faced Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the stands and United's minority owner has plenty to ponder. As does everyone connected to the club.