This was humiliation, pure and simple, painful and bitter, for Manchester United. This was a lesson in modern management for José Mourinho from Jürgen Klopp. Liverpool were full of brighter ideas, more energy, more ambition and more hunger. Manchester United seemed to be playing for a mistake from the opposition, praying for a miracle. By the end, the Liverpool fans were chanting, “Don’t sack Mourinho” and then cheering loudly at the final whistle when Klopp ran on, embracing his players and saluting the supporters.

United’s away support were unbelievably loyal, keeping their views on the team, and the abject performance, to themselves, but this was anguish at Anfield. Paul Pogba sat hunched on the bench, as the rain fell, and replacements were called for but