Liverpool, United lick wounds after humbling EPL defeats

The Liverpool boss said he was desperate to get his players back on the training pitch but they are now heading off for an international break before gathering again for a tough-looking challenge at table-topping Everton

Liverpool became the first reigning English champions to concede seven goals in a league match since 1953 and Manchester United were thrashed 6-1 as inquests started after a humiliating day for England’s two most successful clubs.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side thought they had grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons against Tottenham on Sunday but Jurgen Klopp’s team upstaged them in a scarcely credible 7-2 defeat against Aston Villa.

Klopp can argue Liverpool’s defeat is a bizarre one-off after an impressive start to the season but United appear to be in deep trouble as the international transfer deadline looms.

Liverpool, who romped to the title by 18 points in the 2019/20 campaign, went into their match at an empty Villa Park with a 100 percent record in the league this season.

They were missing the first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker through injury and were also without Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara, who have both tested positive for coronavirus, but were still expected to have too much for their opponents.