Paul Scholes and Didier Drogba lead the latest slate of inductees to the Premier League Hall of Fame, it was announced on Thursday.

Former Manchester United midfielder Scholes and ex-Chelsea striker Drogba head the remaining six names of the Class of 2022.

Patrick Vieira and Wayne Rooney had already been announced as two of the eight players to be bestowed with the honour, following last year's inaugural group of players.

They are joined now by Scholes and Drogba, alongside Arsenal legend Ian Wright, ex-Red Devils goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany.

Widely acclaimed as the greatest midfielder of his generation, Scholes – a one-club man between 1993 and 2013 – won the Premier League 11 times during his playing days.

Drogba, who spent two different spells with the Blues, proved a cornerstone of Chelsea's elevation to regular contenders in the competition.

Wright helped Arsenal to the title in 1997-98 before a brief spell with West Ham and remains the Gunners' second-highest scorer ever, behind only previous inductee Thierry Henry.

Schmeichel, who remains the only goalkeeper to win the Premier League Player of the Year Award, in 1995-96, is the first shotstopper to be inducted.

Kompany, a four-time Premier League winner during an acclaimed spell at City, helped usher in the team's modern era of dominance.

Aguero, meanwhile, is the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history, having scored 184 goals in just 275 appearances.

The six players were inducted via a public ballot, after Vieira and Rooney had been selected as automatic picks.

Tic tac, tic tac, as it goes in the Spanish media. Real Madrid's courting of Kylian Mbappe has long avoided subtlety and discretion, but he remains their primary target.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker has just about become the world's best footballer in the meantime, contributing an extraordinary 33 goals and 18 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions this term.

A move to the Spanish capital at the end of the season remains a possibility, and reports suggest Real Madrid will go all out to make it happen.

TOP STORY – MBAPPE REMAINS MADRID'S PRIMARY TARGET

Real Madrid are confident they will sign Kylian Mbappe amid the increasing likelihood of Erling Haaland joining Manchester City, according to the Daily Mail.

With the end of the season and the subsequent expiration of the 23-year-old's contract nearing, Madrid and Mbappe have yet to sign a pre-contractual agreement as a means of not disrespecting PSG.

While the club are playing the waiting game, they remain confident for the sole fact a new deal with PSG has not yet been signed and confirmed.

Mbappe has reportedly remained the club's first preference despite interest in Haaland, who appears set to join Manchester City.

ROUND-UP

–  Anthony Martial appears set to return to Manchester United with Sevilla not interested in making his loan deal permanent, claims Fabrizio Romano.

– Dejan Kulusevski will join Tottenham from Juventus on a permanent basis despite another season left on his 18-month loan, reports the Evening Standard.

– According to Tuttosport, Spurs director of football Fabio Paratici has also identified Torino defensive pair Gleison Bremer and Wilfried Singo as potential targets.

– Real Madrid are also keen on signing Jude Bellingham but Borussia Dortmund are intent on keeping the 18-year-old and are prepared to increase his standing at the club, Bild is reporting.

Liverpool can win the Premier League title despite having a tougher run-in than rivals Manchester City, according to former Reds defender Jose Enrique.

Enrique, who made 76 top-flight appearances for the Reds, also believes Jurgen Klopp's team could count the season as a success even if they do not record a second Premier League triumph under the German.

A 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United moved Klopp's men top of the league ahead of City hosting Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday, keeping the Reds in contention for an incredible quadruple.

After watching his old team rout United, Enrique believes Liverpool can go on to secure a 20th English top-flight title despite a seemingly less favourable run-in than fellow contenders City.

"I hope so, I really believe they can [win the league]," he told Stats Perform. "Listen, the reality is what Klopp and the players said, you depend on yourself for winning the remaining games, that's what you can do. 

"Let's see what happens, at the moment it's still in Manchester City's hands, that's the reality. They [Liverpool] can [only] do what they say, take it game-by-game and try to win all the remaining games.

"That isn't easy, obviously you're coming into Everton now, they are in a very bad moment, but again anything can happen.

"Obviously the most difficult fixtures on paper are for Liverpool, but I really believe they can do it.

"But it's true that if they win all the remaining games and at the end, they [still] don't win it, for me, it will still be a massive success for the club."

Liverpool's 4-0 thrashing of Ralf Rangnick's side, coupled with a 5-0 rout at Old Trafford earlier this campaign, means Klopp's team have hit nine goals past the Red Devils without reply this term, with only Sunderland in 1892-93 (11-0) ever recording a more dominant combined league triumph over United.

Although Enrique enjoyed watching Liverpool tear their rivals apart at Anfield, he expressed sympathy for Rangnick's team and said he would like to see the rivals face off on a more level playing field.

"You enjoy it, you know, nine goals against them this season, five away from home and four obviously at Anfield, a clean sheet in both of them." he added. 

"Listen, in a way I feel sorry about them [United]. Because the rivalry between both clubs has always been the best in the Premier League, this kind of game is even more important. 

"So, in a way, I would like actually a better game, you know, from that side, a little more complicated [for Liverpool], but at the same time, we're fighting for every single title."

The defeat represented a new low in another frustrating season for United, who are now winless in eight head-to-head clashes with Liverpool (three draws, five losses).

Enrique was exasperated by Bruno Fernandes suggesting his team had nothing to play for after the defeat, the Spaniard stating he has never seen a greater divide between players and fans at United.

"It's like they weren't playing for anything at Manchester," he added. "[But] you have to actually work to try to get in the top four, and then after the game, you see Bruno Fernandes having an interview and saying they aren't playing for anything and Liverpool is playing for a title. 

"They are actually trying to play to get into the top four, I don't know, I think I've never seen a United team like this season before.

"Definitely the difference between the clubs, at the moment, is massive, I really believe they need to get rid of some other players, there will be some of them that finish their contract as well.

"They need to get that manager that they trust, and then you can see the unity between the fans and club. I've never seen that before, you know?

"I think they [United's players and fans] are very very far away from each other… very, very far away. The farthest away I have seen."

Mohamed Salah has denied criticising Manchester United's players after he scored twice in Liverpool's rampant 4-0 win over the Red Devils.

Having also scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 win at Old Trafford in October, Salah's double on Tuesday meant he became the first player in Premier League history to score five goals against United in a single season in the competition.

Liverpool's dominant display also saw them go top of the Premier League, ahead of rivals Manchester City's clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday.

After the match, Salah seemed to tell Sky Sports that United's players "make life easier" for the Reds, when answering a question about Liverpool's recent dominance in the rivalry.

However, the Premier League's leading scorer insisted this was not the case, and explained that he was referring to the quality of his own team-mates.

"I meant our midfield, and our defence, make it easy for us," Salah clarified in a tweet on Wednesday. 

"I was not talking about the Manchester United players, whom I respect."

Having teed up Luis Diaz's opener at Anfield, Salah also became just the second player to both score and assist in home and away Premier League games against United in a single season, after Mesut Ozil did so in 2015-16.

Liverpool are now unbeaten in their last eight league games against United, winning five and drawing three.

It is the joint-longest run any team has ever managed against United in the competition (Chelsea also went eight unbeaten between 2013 and 2016).

Peter Schmeichel is confident Manchester United chief executive Richard Arnold is aware of the scale of the task ahead of him at Old Trafford.

Having watched United lose 4-0 to old rivals Liverpool on Tuesday, Schmeichel believes a new manager alone will not be enough to turn his former club's fortunes around.

Erik ten Hag is widely expected to be confirmed as United's next permanent boss, replacing interim appointment Ralf Rangnick, but he faces a daunting challenge.

United remain just three points outside the top four in the Premier League but offered little hint of a late-season fight for Champions League football in their meek Anfield reverse.

Various United legends bemoaned the state of the club following that awful defeat, but Schmeichel at least feels Arnold – appointed earlier this year – is the right man to take the club forward.

"Make no mistake, this is not a case of getting a new manager in and everything will be brilliant again and he will create this wonderful team," Schmeichel told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"This is about a rebuild of the club. We changed leadership at the beginning of February. Richard Arnold has started the job of CEO, and it's the first CEO we have had since David Gill.

"He has a bit of power now to do what he thinks is right for the job, and I welcome that.

"I have had lots of conversations with him about the future of Man United, and he understands it's not about the manager, it's about restructuring and modernising the club.

"We pride ourselves on our fantastic history, but at some point, we have to plan ahead. I have great faith in him and the direction he wants to take the club."

New investment at Milan could see the Italian powerhouse target the best players across Europe's top clubs.

Milan have entered into exclusive talks with Bahrain-based asset manager Investcorp over a takeover.

The Rossoneri have been linked with Real Madrid's Marco Asensio and Isco and Liverpool's Divock Origi already.

TOP STORY – STERLING ON MILAN WISH LIST

Milan are monitoring Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The England international is among a list of players that Milan would like to sign amid a reported lucrative takeover by a Bahrain-based organisation.

Sterling's current contract with City expires in 2023, but the Daily Mail claims he would turn down the Italian move.

ROUND-UP

– Christian Eriksen is gaining interest from former employers Tottenham after a good run of form, although his agent is set to meet with Brentford at the end of this season to formalise his future, claims Fabrizio Romano.

– Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga will hold talks at the end of this season to discuss his future having struggled for opportunities, reports Football.London.

– Jose Mourinho's Roma will open talks with Nemanja Matic's representatives as the Serbian midfielder prepares to leave Manchester United, reports Nicolo Schira.

– Manchester Evening News claims Manchester United have revived their interest in Villarreal defender Pau Torres.

Interim Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick hinted there could be up to ten new signings following Tuesday's 4-0 demolition at the hands of Liverpool.

It was effectively game over after 25 minutes with Liverpool already up 2-0 by that point, and United simply were not capable of mounting a tangible fightback.

Following October's 5-0 trashing at Old Trafford, Tuesday's 4-0 loss at Anfield served as a microcosm of where the two clubs are at on and off the pitch.

Rangnick asserted the need for a disjointed United to take on a long-term overhaul in the same vein as Liverpool and Manchester City, who built squads over time on the basis of identity.

"If you look at the two clubs who are currently dominating the Premier League, they did exactly that," he said post-match. "They brought in two managers and not only did they bring in two managers, they also changed the whole thing in terms of formation, what kind of players do they need? What kind of football do we want to play?

"The headline of everything was 'how do we want to play?' And underneath this headline after every transfer window, they created the team they have in both clubs.

"If you analyse the situation, it's not that difficult to analyse. The team needs a rebuild, not because some players have to go but quite a few have no contracts anymore, their contracts are expiring, then for me it's clear there will be six, seven, eight, maybe 10 new players."

Gary Neville has described Manchester United as "broken on and off the pitch" after they were thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday.

Goals from Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah (two) and Sadio Mane consigned United to another damaging defeat in their hunt for Champions League qualification.

Their great rivals went top of the Premier League meanwhile, with fellow title contenders Manchester City playing Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday.

Neville laid into his former club following the heavy defeat, saying on Sky Sports: "What Manchester United have done is brought players in with piano introductions like [Alexis] Sanchez, or 'Pogback' and all the big palaver around [Paul Pogba's return from Juventus], the Cristiano [Ronaldo] one at the start of the season, they've elevated the player above the manager at the football club as well.

"You go to Liverpool, you go to Chelsea, you go to Manchester City, the manager is the primary figure at the football club. They've undermined managers at Manchester United over the last 10 years by basically elevating the players into this God-like status, and the players haven't performed.

"My view is at this moment in time there are a lot of things, the players could do better, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the start of the season could have done better, Ralf Rangnick maybe could have done better, but fundamentally, the club is broken on and off the pitch.

"The stadium's falling apart, the training ground is slipping to second rate compared to others, the owners are taking £25million a year out the club when actually the club needs investment, and it sets the culture badly from the top."

Since 2003-04, there have been four instances of a player completing 100+ passes in a Premier League match against United. All four of them have been this season, with two of them being tonight (Thiago 105, Virgil van Dijk 106).

The Red Devils will look to bounce back in their crucial trip to top four rivals Arsenal on Saturday.

Ralf Rangnick suggested Liverpool have humiliated Manchester United this season following the Red Devils' 4-0 defeat at Anfield on Tuesday.

It was the second time in 2021-22 that Liverpool have hammered United, with the Reds winning 5-0 at Old Trafford in November – but given they had a man sent off back then, Tuesday's result was arguably worse.

The nine goals United have conceded against Liverpool is the most they have ever shipped to one opponent in a single Premier League campaign – they last suffered a worse aggregate defeat across two fixtures against the same team back in 1892-93 (11-0 v Sunderland).

United's first-half display was particularly poor as Liverpool dominated throughout, with Rangnick's men making it to the break without attempting a single shot for the first time since April 2018.

The gravity Liverpool's dominance over United this term was not lost on Rangnick.

"It is embarrassing, it is disappointing, maybe even humiliating. We have to accept they are six years ahead of us now," he told BBC Sport.

"When Jurgen Klopp came they changed at the club and lifted not just the team but the club and city to a new level. That is what needs to happen with us in the next transfer windows."

Rangnick opted to start with a back three and gave Phil Jones a rare start, but he abandoned that setup at half-time following United's gutless opening 45 minutes, with Jadon Sancho coming on to provide a bit of spark in attack.

The manager is not convinced the outcome would have been any different even if he had started with a back four as normal, however, adamant player errors were to blame for the goals.

"I don't think a different formation at the start would have changed anything," he continued. "The first goal we conceded, it was not part of the game plan to be that high up and concede a counter-attack after five minutes. That changed the game.

"The first half, we were just not good enough. We did not win any first ball or second balls. We were second best in all relevant areas.

"Second half we changed a centre-back with Jadon Sancho. The first 25 minutes we were better and had pressure on the ball at times. We had two or three moments, but the third goal killed the game off.

"For the third goal it came from a ball we should not play. A pressing invitation: 12 yards into Anthony Elanga, who is a player for [running] behind their back line.

"It is inviting them for those moments and six seconds later the ball was in our net."

The result leaves United three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, who have played a game less, while Liverpool moved above Manchester City – who play Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday – at the top.

Jurgen Klopp admits he feels "a bit" for Manchester United after Liverpool routed them for the second time in the Premier League this season.

A Mohamed Salah double as well as goals for Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane helped the Reds to a 4-0 win against a lacklustre Red Devils side.

Ralf Rangnick's visitors were without Cristiano Ronaldo for personal reasons and lost Paul Pogba to injury early on.

It marks the latest dire result under the interim manager as United limp towards the end of a crushingly disappointing campaign, and Klopp unexpectedly admits he sympathises with their struggle.

"I feel a bit for them," he told BBC's Match of the Day. "It doesn't happen often, and I don't think it will happen often. It is not a normal situation.

"They are not in a good moment and on top have a lot of injuries. When Pogba left the pitch they played without their usual midfield.

"The pitch can become really big with a lot of offensive players on it. Centre midfield with [Nemanja] Matic and [Bruno] Fernandes is not how you want to play.

"Nothing against the players, it is just not their natural game. We had 70-75 per cent of the ball and they have to defend and that is not easy."

Elsewhere, Klopp was happy to lavish praise upon Thiago, with the Spain international becoming a masterful mainstay of the manager's side.

"He is a good player," Klopp added. "We have to keep him fit. He has good rhythm, which helps. He is in the right spaces, the little turns and passes.

"We don't have five million players like this on the planet. Only a few see things earlier than everyone else and also have the technical ability to get the ball there as well.

"[It was] a top game from him. Everybody was outstanding and that is what you need to win against Man Utd."

Marcus Rashford "played like a child" in Manchester United's defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday, according to a despairing Roy Keane. 

A toothless United succumbed to a 4-0 defeat at Anfield that enabled rivals Liverpool, who are still chasing an unprecedented quadruple, to go top of the Premier League. 

Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah put Jurgen Klopp's side in command as the Red Devils produced an abject first-half display in which they failed to attempt a single shot. That had not happened in the top flight since a 3-2 win over Manchester City in April 2018.

Rashford managed just nine touches in the opening period and had only two in Liverpool's box across the entire 90 minutes, with Sadio Mane and a second from Salah consigning United to a resounding loss.

"It was anger earlier in the season, now it's just sadness. You look at the team today, I don't think there's any heart there. There's no soul, there's no leaders. They lack real quality, they're so far off," Keane said working as a pundit for Sky Sports. 

"There's disarray at the club from the top. The fans have no time for the owners. They need a new manager, they need players in, they need players out. 

"It's so sad to see. It's not the club I played for. It doesn't reflect what the club stood for when I played, it's chalk and cheese. I don't see a Man United team out there fighting and playing with pride. It's so sad watching this team. 

"They're the opposite of what you'd want in a top team. When the going gets tough, they just crumble. It's a long way back for this club. When I played there was always that bit of pride. I think that's gone out of the club now. 

"There's no team at Man United. Some good individuals when they turn up and they fancy it, but when the going gets tough or they're under the cosh, that's it, they're out of it. They haven't got that team spirit that you need.

Paul Pogba – who was booed by his own fans during the 3-2 win against Norwich City at the weekend – came off injured early in the game at Anfield, replaced by Jesse Lingard, and Keane was not impressed by the sub.

"Jesse Lingard's coming on to try to save Man United? Jesse Lingard should've left Man United two years ago. He's not good enough for Man United," he said.

"Marcus Rashford played like a child up front. OK, he wasn't getting service, but the one or two bits he got in the first half, a poor touch.

"Harry Maguire – the last goal – his passing and defending was unacceptable, not good enough for Manchester United.

"So we have to use that word again, talk about a rebuilding job. Man United have to get players in first of all who are hopefully decent lads, good-quality pros, talented to try to compete. United are sixth in the league – unbelievable." 

Mohamed Salah ended a scoring drought to make Premier League history against Manchester United, but the Liverpool attacker was never worried about his barren run. 

After six appearances without a goal in all competitions, Salah added to Luis Diaz's opener in the 4-0 victory over United that sent the Reds top of the Premier League on Tuesday. 

The Egypt international doubled his tally in the 85th minute, becoming the first player to score five Premier League goals against United in a single campaign. 

Salah's double ended a two-month wait for a goal from open play in the Premier League, with his prior three having come from the penalty spot.

"I said before many times, I score many goals for this club. It's going to keep coming," Salah told Sky Sports. 

"Sometimes you have bad luck, but the team winning is the most important thing. If the team wasn't winning, I wouldn't be happy. But if the team's winning, everything's going to come, so I was not worried about that." 

Sadio Mane was also on target as Liverpool completed a double over the Red Devils by an aggregate scoreline of 9-0. The only time United have suffered a heavier joint loss in their league history was 11-0 against Sunderland in 1892-93. 

Asked to explain Liverpool's dominance of the rivalry this season, Salah said: "They make our life easy, in the midfield and the back. They always try to give us the ball in a one-on-one. 

"When we defend well, we had a clean sheet here and a clean sheet there, they make our lives easier to score. We go to the game and just want to score. Once we get the first, we want the second. Once we get the second, we want the third. 

"It's a top performance from us here and away also, so we'll hopefully just carry on like this."  

City can replace Liverpool at the summit when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday, and Salah acknowledged it is a tall order to expect Pep Guardiola's side to drop points. 

"It's great [to be top]. Let's wait until tomorrow because City also is not an easy team to drop points," said Salah. 

"We just have to focus on ourselves and the rest is not in our hands. We just focus on our games and we'll see." 

Good luck Erik ten Hag.

When Manchester United announce – as expected – the Ajax boss as their next permanent manager, social media will be flooded with suggestions of what he needs to do or fix to get the club challenging for titles again, and it's going to be a long list.

On the evidence of United's performances against Liverpool – who will surely be one of the two teams to beat again in 2022-23 – this term, the chasm between the Old Trafford club and the best is at its widest in a generation.

Liverpool crushed them 5-0 at Old Trafford in November, though Tuesday's 4-0 loss at Anfield was arguably worse and probably even had interim manager Ralf Rangnick considering his own future.

The most ardent of Man Utd fans would've been feeling glum pre-match about their chances here, though there would always be a hint of 'what if'.

It's football. There could always be a freak goal, a comical own goal, one moment of individual brilliance. Throughout the history of the sport there have been countless examples of teams absorbing pressure for 90 minutes and stealing a winner.

As bad as United have been at times this season, and as good as Liverpool are in general, fixtures like this bring a sense of unpredictability – or at least they're supposed to.

As arguably the most recognised and historic rivalry in English football, the minimum one would've expected from United was a bit of desire to get one over the Reds, maybe dent their quadruple hopes. But there was no sign of such spirit until it was already too late.

Frankly, United's first-half performance was a joke. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, a former Red Devils captain, said before the game that this was their worst team in "30-40 years", and it was difficult to disagree with him come half-time.

Of course, it should be said that this wasn't just about United being poor: Liverpool were excellent for much of the game. Thiago Alcantara was a joy to watch in midfield as he almost single-handedly pulled Rangnick's defence and midfield this way and that. Even the Spain international's inaccurate passes were satisfying to see because you saw the invention and vision behind them.

But it was the speed, directness and ruthlessness that typifies this Liverpool team that brought the fifth-minute opener, as they cleverly worked space on the right in their own half before Sadio Mane released Trent Alexander-Arnold, who subsequently picked out Luis Diaz for a tap-in.

Their second goal was even better as they retained possession and sliced through United with a one-touch passing move that culminated in an outrageous Mane reverse pass over the defence for Mohamed Salah to collect before slotting home.

But the lack of character their visitors showed was astonishing. Liverpool seemed to have the freedom of the pitch, they passed through midfield as if Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Bruno Fernandes weren't there. Players were walking.

United reached half-time without a single shot, a first in the league since April 2018. Granted, they went on to beat Manchester City 3-2 on that occasion... But even the suggestion that something similar might've been on the cards here would've drawn laughter.

Similarly galling was the fact United only committed two fouls in the first 45. Without wanting to sound like Roy Keane ("you know what I might do, I might smash into somebody, just to make me feel better!"), when being played off the park a degree of petulance is almost to be expected, but they couldn't even muster that level of frustration.

Things did change briefly after the interval. Rangnick ditched his back three and introduced Jadon Sancho, and suddenly United looked... functional. Players were running, they were hounding their counterparts. They had a shot, then a second. A whole two shots!

Jurgen Klopp stood aghast on the touchline in the 65th minute, his mouth gaping for a full 10 seconds after Alisson had to make two saves in quick succession – they didn't count technically in the stats because an offside was erroneously given, but the Brazilian undoubtedly denied a goal that would have been given by VAR had they scored.

But United's brief improvement said more about Liverpool's post-break drop-off, and they soon snapped out of it – three minutes later it was game over, if it wasn't already. Andrew Robertson made an interception ahead of Anthony Elanga, then Diaz's pinpoint cross was expertly turned in by Mane.

Salah completed the scoring late on with a deft finish that was helped by a slight deflection. While there was a hint of fortune, it ensured the scoreline greater reflected the Reds' dominance.

The nine goals United have conceded to Liverpool this season is the most they've ever shipped against one team in a single campaign. Their 9-0 aggregate loss to the Reds over 2021-22 is their worst to one opponent in the league since 1892-93. Yes, that's 1892, not a typo of 1992.

Much of the build-up to this was dominated by talk of club structures, recruitment and 'synergy', but honestly, fans will just hope Ten Hag can instil a bit of fight, assuming he's not run for the hills already.

Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool went top of the Premier League thanks to a resounding 4-0 victory over an abject Manchester United at Anfield on Tuesday. 

Luis Diaz and Salah were on target inside 22 minutes to put Jurgen Klopp's side on course to leapfrog defending champions Manchester City, who will hope to return to the summit when they face Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday. 

United failed to produce a single shot in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time in four years. On that occasion they came from 2-0 down to beat City 3-2, but there were scant signs of such a stirring fightback this time. 

Sadio Mane made sure of that by adding a fine finish to his exemplary assist for Salah, who sealed Liverpool's first Premier League double over United since the 2013-14 season.

The Reds wasted little time in taking the lead, with Salah exposing United's lacklustre defence and squaring for Diaz to tap home after five minutes. 

The fans joined together in a touching show of support for Cristiano Ronaldo in the seventh minute, with the United forward absent following the death of his baby son. 

Paul Pogba was forced off with an injury and Liverpool doubled their lead when Salah added a fine finish to a slick move involving Diaz, Joel Matip and Mane. 

United showed more gumption after a change of shape for the second half from interim boss Ralf Rangnick, with half-time introduction Jadon Sancho finally working Alisson with an effort.

Alisson did well to deny Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga in quick succession after the hour mark, but Liverpool extended their advantage in the 68th minute when Mane swept a delivery from Diaz beyond David de Gea and into the bottom-right corner.

Salah then looped the ball over De Gea with five minutes remaining as United were emphatically consigned to a third straight Premier League away defeat for only the fourth time in the history of the competition.

What does it mean? Liverpool back on top 

Man City looked destined to cruise to the title when they held a 14-point lead over Liverpool as recently as January 15, even though the Reds had two games in hand. 

But Liverpool have now won 11 of their 12 games since – their only dropped points being last week's draw with Pep Guardiola's side – to put themselves firmly in contention for an unprecedented quadruple. 

Thiago keeps it ticking

Thiago Alcantara again absolutely bossed the midfield for Liverpool. He completed 105 of his 110 passes – both game highs – and lost possession just six times, which was the fewest of any Reds player. His seven duels won were also more than any other player on the pitch. 

Salah back on song 

A run of six appearances in all competitions without a goal came to an end for Salah. These were his first Liverpool goals since March 12 and a full two months since he last converted in open play in the top flight.

What's next? 

Liverpool take on Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, while United are in action at Arsenal on Saturday. 

Manchester United endured one of their worst attacking displays in recent Premier League history against Liverpool on Tuesday. 

The Red Devils failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes at Anfield. It was the first time in the top flight they had reached half-time without having an attempt on goal since a meeting with Manchester City in April 2018. 

United had just 24.5% of the possession during the first half and only managed two touches in the opposition box – 23 fewer than Liverpool, who led 2-0 at the interval thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. 

Ralf Rangnick's side completed 92 passes – more than 300 fewer than Liverpool – and only seven of them came in Liverpool's final third. 

United have now conceded more Premier League goals against Liverpool (74) than they have versus any other opponent in the competition.