Salah double as Liverpool rout Man United 4-0 to top PL

LIVERPOOL, England (AP):

LIVERPOOL ARE back where Manchester United are far from reaching: Top of the Premier League (PL).

To know why there is such a deficit in quality now between English football’s most successful clubs, just look at how Liverpool’s forwards tormented United in a 4-0 rout yesterday.

It wasn’t just Mohamed Salah scoring twice at Anfield, following a hat-trick in the 5-0 humiliation in the reverse fixture.

Salah also assisted Luiz Diaz’s opener. Salah’s first was set-up by Sadio Mané. And Mané’s goal was provided by Diaz’s pass.

All before Salah compounded another night of misery for United with a chipped finish for his second provided by Diaz’s replacement – Diogo Jota.

“They make our life easier in the midfield and at the back,” Salah said. “They always try to give us the ball in a one-against-one situation so it makes our life much easier.”

A glorious night for Liverpool ended with four fist-pumps by manager Jurgen Klopp in front of the Kop. For the four goals? And maybe for the four trophies the season could yet end with.

The League Cup has already been collected and there’s an FA Cup final meeting with Chelsea next month. Before then there’s a Champions League semi-final clash with Villarreal. And there is the hope Manchester City do not regain first spot in the PL, although the two-point lead could be wiped out by the champions beating Brighton today.

Regaining the PL trophy from City in the remaining six games would see Liverpool match United on a record 20 English titles.

United are struggling to secure one of the four Champions League qualification places, let alone win their first title since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

“Liverpool are fighting for the title,” United midfielder Bruno Fernandes said. “We are not fighting for nothing.”