THE NOTEBOOK: New stadium for Man United looks a near impossible task while Arne Slot does what no Liverpool manager has done since 1975
- Liverpool beat Man United 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon
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Liverpool made short work of rivals Manchester United as Arne Slot’s men made a statement at Old Trafford.
Luis Diaz made it two before Mo Salah secured a 3-0 win on Sunday.
Under their new manager, the Reds have made it three wins from three as Erik ten Hag comes under renewed pressure.
Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman discusses some of the things you may have missed.
New stadium hard to imagine
Discussions are underway at Old Trafford about developing the stadium, with the idea being that if a complete rebuild is required, it would be possible to continue playing here until a replacement pitch is built next door to the club.
It’s hard to see how Manchester United can build a new stadium next to Old Trafford
As I walked through the packed car parks here before kick-off, I found it hard to imagine how that was possible. The place where Old Trafford stands is big, but is it really that big?
Legends present
The greats of football of yesteryear were in attendance for what remains the biggest match on the Premier League calendar.
Most of us were there in a media capacity and I think we had roughly a team of: James; Neville, Carragher, Stam, Le Saux; Ljungberg, Keane, Scholes; Hignett; Dublin, Fjortoft.
Slot follows in Paisley’s footsteps
Almost unnoticed, Arne Slot emerged from the players’ tunnel 30 minutes before kick-off and walked along the sidelines to watch his team warm up.
With his familiar blue raincoat over his arm, he looked like a man on his way to the bank.
The task ahead of him, however, was enormous. No Liverpool manager had won his first game against United since Bob Paisley in 1975. More pertinently, the last Anfield manager to win at Old Trafford when first asked was George Kay in 1936.
Arne Slot made it three wins from three since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer
No other option than to turn to the youth
United’s Brazilian veteran Casemiro had a terrible first half and was ripe for the hook. But who would Erik ten Hag have replaced him with?
The only viable candidate – new signing Manuel Ugarte – was in the stands, while another – Scott McTominay – is currently unpacking his bags in Naples.
Welcome to 20-year-old Toby Collyer, a 20-year-old who left Brighton’s youth academy two years ago.
Problems on and off the field
United’s malaise in the first half spilled over into the press room, where the coffee machine broke down.
“But this is Old Trafford,” joked former Liverpool goalkeeper David James. “One cup of coffee and everything can change.”
