Liverpool 4-0 Manchester United: 5 talking points as Jurgen Klopp's men humiliate the Red Devils again | Premier League 2021-22

Liverpool jumped to the top of the 2021-22 Premier League table with a 4-0 demolition of Manchester United on Tuesday, 19 April at Anfield. The remarkable one-sided thrashing comes less than six months after Jurgen Klopp's men spanked their arch-rivals 5-0 at Old Trafford.

In the absence of talismanic superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Ralf Rangnick's Red Devils were up against it from the opening whistle. The manner of their defeat, though, was disappointing, as United offered no resistance against the rampant Reds.

Liverpool finished the game with a whopping 72 percent of possession and completed more than 90 percent of their passes. Manchester United, on the other hand, misplaced 27 percent of their passes and attempted only two shots with just one on target. Mohamed Salah scored twice while Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz were also on target for the Merseyside giants, who attempted 14 shots on the night.

On that note, here are five talking points after a dazzling display from the home team at Anfield.

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#5 Liverpool tore Manchester United apart early yet again

Mohamed Salah scored a fine team goal against the Red Devils

For the second time this season, Manchester United were undone within the first five minutes against their greatest rivals. Naby Keita scored in the fifth minute of the 5-0 drubbing at Old Trafford back in October. This time it was Diaz who got on the scoresheet after a simple cross from Salah.

Just over 15 minutes later, the Reds doubled their advantage by scoring one of their finest team goals of the campaign through the Egyptian superstar. Mane played a gem of a chipped pass over the hapless Manchester United defense after some neat work in midfield from Fabinho and Thiago. Salah's touch to bring the pass down was exquisite and his low finish past David de Gea was unerring.

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#4 Paul Pogba's early injury set the tone for a disgraceful Manchester United display in the first-half

Paul Pogba was substituted early against Liverpool on Tuesday

After being sent off in the first league meeting between these teams earlier in the season, Paul Pogba lasted 10 minutes in the second fixture. The France international suffered what appeared to be a calf injury and was replaced by Jesse Lingard.

For a second straight game, Pogba was whistled at by Red Devils fans as he limped off the pitch. One can't help but wonder if we have seen the last of the Frenchman in a Manchester United jersey as his contract expires this summer.

Things only got worse for Ralf Rangnick's side as they turned in one of their worst first-half displays of the season. United didn't attempt a single shot and had just 24 percent possession in the opening 45 minutes. It was the first time in four years that the club had failed to register a single shot on target in the first-half of a league game.

The Manchester-based club completed just 63 percent of the 144 passes they attempted. They didn't even have a touch inside Liverpool's box for the first 30 minutes.

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#3 Thiago ran the show at Anfield

Thiago was in the thick of things for Jurgen Klopp's side

Spanish midfielder Thiago turned in arguably his best display in a Liverpool jersey against United on Tuesday. The former Bayern Munich man arrived on Merseyside in 2020 for a £20 million fee. After a difficult debut season in England that saw him struggle to find form and fitness, Thiago appears to be back to this best in recent months.

The Barcelona youth product was in imperious form tonight, gliding across the Anfield turf with unparalleled grace and elegance. Thiago controlled the tempo of the game, winning the ball back quickly and dictating play with his range of passing.

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#2 Liverpool's front three were all among the goals

Mohamed Salah (L), Sadio Mane (C) and Luis Diaz (R) were unstoppable

Liverpool started the game with a front three of Diaz on the left, Mane through the middle and Salah on the right. The trio delivered a complete performance, as they not only got on the scoresheet but also assisted each other's goals.

Salah set up Diaz for the opener before finishing off Mane's delightful ball for Liverpool's second goal. After the half-time interval, Diaz turned provider as he delivered a perfect low cross for Mane to score with a first-time finish.

The Colombian was replaced by Diogo Jota in the 70th minute and the Portuguese forward also managed to set up a goal. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers star played in Salah, who made no mistake with his dinked effort over De Gea for Liverpool's fourth goal.

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#1 Mohamed Salah was Manchester United's chief tormentor yet again

Mohamed Salah celebrates (L) as a dejected Harry Maguire (R) looks on

Manchester United must be absolutely sick of the sight of Mohamed Salah and Liverpool. Tuesday's 4-0 demolition means the Reds have put nine goals past their arch-rivals in two league fixtures this campaign. Salah has been involved in seven of them, scoring five times and providing two assists.

After his latest brace against United on Tuesday, the Egyptian star is up to 30 goals from 42 appearances in all competitions for the season. With 22 of those coming in the Premier League, he is on track to win the English top-flight's Golden Boot. Meanwhile, Liverpool are back at the top of the Premier League table with 76 points from 32 games.

Manchester City, though, will have the chance to overtake the Reds on Wednesday (20 April). The Sky Blues are only two points behind the Merseyside giants and face a tricky Brighton & Hove Albion side at the Etihad.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are looking increasingly unlikely to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League. The Red Devils are now sixth with 54 points from 33 games. Fifth-placed Arsenal have two games in hand over Ralf Rangnick's side and are level on points.

Tottenham Hotspur remain the narrow favorites to finish fourth and are currently on 57 points with a game in hand over Manchester United.