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No wonder it proved to be the final straw.

Jose Mourinho's humiliation at Anfield on Sunday laid bare just how far Manchester United have fallen.

“Don't sack Mourinho,” chanted jubilant Kopites in the closing stages of Liverpool's emphatic 3-1 triumph but their plea to United's board fell on deaf ears.

The Reds' old adversary has been shown the door. There will be little sympathy at this end of the East Lancs Road considering how Mourinho has gloated at Liverpool's misfortune over the years.

But certainly a twinge of disappointment that he wasn't given more time to send United further into the realms of complete mediocrity.

The 19-point gap that exists between Liverpool and United in the Premier League table – a record at this stage of a season - only tells part of the story.

Sunday's contest at Anfield showcased the huge contrast between what Jurgen Klopp and Mourinho had created at their respective clubs.

It was a tale of total dominance - one-way traffic. But for Alisson Becker's first-half error which gifted United an equaliser and briefly rocked Liverpool, it would have been a proper demolition job.

The energy, the intensity, the ambition, the spirit and the unity of the Premier League leaders was the antithesis of what United displayed.

It was damning that even Mourinho, usually so quick to deflect the blame, confessed that Liverpool were “better, stronger, faster”.

How United chief Ed Woodward must have looked on with envy. Liverpool have a manager who has galvanised a dressing room and a fanbase playing an eye-catching brand of attacking football.

Mourinho has only created unrest, negativity and alienated people with his constant sniping.

Watch Mourinho's full final press conference here

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His complaints about money and unfair scrutiny after a wretched run of results cut no ice. Klopp and Mourinho have spent similar amounts in the transfer market since the Portuguese coach arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2016.

Aside from the fact that Mourinho's net spend of £307million is nearly three times greater, Klopp has simply invested the Reds' funds much more wisely. There have been no expensive duds. Liverpool's American owners have got far more bang for their bucks.

The fact that £90million man Paul Pogba remained rooted to the bench on Sunday was a damning indictment of Mourinho's failure to get the best out of the World Cup winner.

He also squandered £53million on Fred.

What a contrast to the man-management Klopp has shown in keeping fringe players happy and motivated. That's been underlined by recent contributions from Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne who have stepped up and delivered.

Jose Mourinho vs Liverpool

Seeing the state of United makes you fully appreciate what Liverpool have got.

As well as a world class manager and a gifted squad of real depth, there is stability, leadership and knowledge in the boardroom in the form of sporting director Michael Edwards and FSG president Mike Gordon.

The two genuine heavyweights of English football are going in different directions.

Mourinho is yesterday's man. He's been left behind by the style of football played by title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City.

Mourinho against Klopp used to be billed as the Special One versus the Normal One.

But one is no longer special and the other has proved himself to be anything but normal with the thrilling resurgence he has overseen.