Far too many Liverpool players failed to show up in their 3-2 defeat away to Man United, with Jeremie Frimpong among those who were particularly poor.
Man United 3-2 Liverpool
Premier League (35) | Old Trafford
May 3, 2026
Goals: Cunha 6′, Sesko 14′, Mainoo 77′; Szoboszlai 47′, Gakpo 56′
Freddie Woodman – 5 (out of 10)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Freddie Woodman after the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Manchester United won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After a great showing against Crystal Palace, Woodman came crashing back down to reality against Old Trafford.
His kicking looked nervy and he had conceded twice before he knew it, with his attempted punch hitting Benjamin Sesko and going into the net.
Didn’t do much wrong, but conceding three is not exactly ideal!
Curtis Jones – 6
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's Curtis Jones reacts to conceding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There was plenty of endeavour from Jones, which certainly can’t be said of some, and he attempted to bring running from right-back.
He lacked quality, though, and was part of a Liverpool defence that looked all at sea throughout.
Completed only three out of eight attempted long balls (38%).
Ibrahima Konate – 4
This summed up Konate this season, who was such an erratic figure, missing an attempted header in the lead-up to Sesko’s goal.
One comical piece of defending then saw him get in a mess in the six-yard area, with Liverpool lucky to survive.
Just not good enough, even though he improved in the second half.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceding the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It’s sometimes tough to criticise Van Dijk when so much is going wrong around him, but he wasn’t blameless here.
There wasn’t enough intensity and fire from the captain, considering Liverpool were away to their arch-rivals, with too many sloppy moments by his standards.
Just not as engaged as he can be – didn’t win a ground duel.
Andy Robertson – 5
With all due respect to Robertson, it seems baffling that Milos Kerkez has suddenly lost his place to him.
The Scot had a tough time up against Bryan Mbeumo, who had him for pace, and he was also guilty of losing possession cheaply.
A sobering final game away to United in a Liverpool shirt.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
If one Liverpool player tried to bring a spark in attack in the first half, it was Gravenberch.
He showed some clever footwork and ran at Casemiro, hitting the target from distance too.
That said, he was outplayed in the midfield battle, not doing anywhere near enough out of possession.
Alexis Mac Allister – 4
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister (L) and Dominik Szoboszlai (R) challenge Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Similar to Konate.
Mac Allister clearly tried, and looked frustrated, but United’s midfield had more legs than him and he made Liverpool so easy to get through.
Matheus Cunha’s goal came via a deflection off the Argentine and a pathetic clearance allowed Kobbie Mainoo to make it 3-2.
Jeremie Frimpong – 4
Is Frimpong simply pace and nothing else?
He was a painful watch, offering no end product and not even using his speed up against Luke Shaw.
No physicality, no quality and next to no influence – he has been a disappointing signing so far.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6 (Man of the Match)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Deployed as a false 10 alongside Florian Wirtz at times, Szoboszlai couldn’t get into the game at all in the first half, despite his usual strong work ethic.
He dragged Liverpool back into the match with a well-taken finish and then unselfishly assisted Cody Gakpo.
Man of the Match for the Reds, but that’s not saying much!
Cody Gakpo – 6
Chopping between a left-sided and central role, Gakpo had moments of threat but rarely looked like being a game-changer.
He bent a shot wide before half-time, before tapping home to draw Liverpool level from nowhere.
Should be a squad player, not a starter.
Florian Wirtz – 5
This was another game where Wirtz couldn’t be a big influence – that is more to do with how he is being used than his own talent.
That said, it would be nice to see more of a spark and fight from a £116 million footballer, who was on the periphery throughout.
It all feels like how Roberto Firmino was being deployed by Brendan Rodgers before Jurgen Klopp got the best out of him.
Overall Team Performance – 4
Substitutes
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Milos Kerkez (on for Robertson, 59′) – 6
Didn’t add a lot more than Robertson, but drove forward late on a few times.
Rio Ngumoha (on for Frimpong, 75′) – 6
Switched off for Mainoo’s winner, fired wide and looked dangerous. A mixed bag.
Federico Chiesa (on for Konate, 87′) – 5
One dangerous cross and one awful throw-in. Little else of note.
Subs not used: Pecsi, Ndiaye, Gomez, Nyoni, Morrison, Wright
Arne Slot – 5
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot knew that a win at Old Trafford would give him further leeway with the fans – wishful thinking, eh!
Liverpool were a shambles from the off, lacking fight, fitness and organisation, and the head coach has to shoulder the blame.
In fairness, Slot had a dearth of quality and depth available, and there were improvements in the second half, but this wasn’t good enough yet again.
The fact that his job is reportedly safe is baffling, quite frankly.