Erik ten Hag Slams Manchester United Players in Rare Rant After Liverpool Defeat

Erik ten Hag Slams Manchester United Players in Rare Rant After Liverpool Defeat

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM
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  • Erik Ten Hag did not hold back in his criticism after his side lost 7-0 to Liverpool in the North-West derby
  • Manchester United collapsed in the second half as the embattled Reds dealt the Red Devils a title blow
  • Ten Hag slammed his players as unprofessional and claimed they had failed to stick to his game plan

Erik ten Hag was at pains to try to explain exactly what went wrong for his Manchester United side, who spectacularly lost 7-0 to Liverpool on March 5.

Liverpool came up with a complete performance, interestingly against one of their fierce rivals, as they completely blew away their opponents.

After going ahead in the first half through Cody Gakpo, the Reds turned up the heat in the second as the Red Devils were made to pay for mistakes and at times, complacency.

Man United, Liverpool, Premier League
Players of Manchester United look dejected as they leave the field after being defeated 7-0 during the Premier League match against Liverpool FC. Photo by Michael Regan.
Source: Getty Images

Darwin Nunez's header diverted Harvey Elliott's powerful cross to make it 2-0 before Mohamed Salah set up Gakpo for the Dutch international’s second goal.

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The Egyptian, who has a reputation for scoring against United, then found the net himself. Salah got his second by rounding off a swift counter-attack with a powerful strike before Nunez found his second from a Jordan Henderson cross.

Roberto Firmino, who recently expressed intentions of leaving Liverpool for free in the summer, rounded off the scoring from close range.

Man United 'lost their heads'

Speaking after the game, a seemingly calm ten Hag claimed his side 'lost their heads'. Asked whether he was angry about the defeat, he said:

“Yes definitely. I was surprised because I have seen the last weeks and months our winning attitude. The second half we had no attitude at all. We didn’t stick to plan, and we lost our heads. Very unprofessional - that is not Manchester United."

Ten Hag ceded the loss was a tough setback but expressed confidence his team could bounce back.

"We let our fans down and I’m angry about it. It is a reality check. It is a strong message. We have to overthink this and know where we went wrong.”

Stats backed United to lose

Sports Brief also reported on Anfield becoming United's bogey ground after a 7-1 thrashing by Liverpool.

The last time the Red Devils beat the Reds at their home ground was in 2016 in the reign of Louis van Gaal.

Statistics show Man United have a dismal record of 1-18 goals against Liverpool at Anfield on aggregate.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
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Erik Ten HaagJürgen Klopp