For the first time since 1953, reigning English top-flight champions - Liverpool in this case - conceded seven goals in a single game as Dean Smith's Astin Villa hammered the Reds 7-2 to continue their flying start of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign. Earlier on Sunday, a helpless Manchester United were bashed 6-1 by Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur in what was the Portuguese second visit to Old Trafford since leaving the Red Devils last year.
There were several things to take note of from these two games. For instance, Liverpool conceded seven goals in a game for the first time since April 1963. And well, it was in the first time in the history of the competition that both United and Liverpool conceded six goals in a match on the same day.
For United, they did start the game well, with midfielder Bruno Fernandes converting from the spot in as early as the second minute. The lead, however, didn't last long as Tottenham went 2-1 inside seven minutes. Striker Anthony Martial was shown a straight red two minutes before the half-hour mark, and Tottenham went on cornage. The likes of Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane completed a brace, while right-back Serge Aurier was on the scoresheet as well. Ironically, United conceded six goals in a single Premier League game for only the third time in their history and all came in October.
Liverpool, on the other hand, were made to look like a bunch of freshers by Aston Villa. New signing Ollie Watkins scored a hat-trick in the first half and John McGinn was on target to make it 4-1 mid-way through the game. Mohamed Salah did pull one back, but Villa didn't hold back and went on to score seven past the champions.
It was a meme fest on Twitter after the games, and this is how the fans are reacting to the results:
Liverpool couldn't allow Manchester United to dominate the headlines today. What a rivalry!
— PRIVATE FIGURE (@privatefigure_) October 5, 2020
Manchester United & Liverpool fans tonight 😂 pic.twitter.com/5gIH6pwoR7
— The Inbetweeners (@inbetweenervid) October 4, 2020
If someone had told me that Manchester United and Liverpool would concede a joint 13 goals in one PL day, I would have called the person crazy!
— Ugbedeojo (@Certifiedopeboi) October 4, 2020
Liverpool saw Manchester United hold 6 and said "we r doing this together"😭😭😭
— Dr Toolz💡 (@toolzdeyforyou) October 4, 2020
Chelsea’s 04/05 title winning team conceded 15 goals in a whole campaign, Liverpool and Manchester United have conceded a combined 13 times this Sunday already, just wanted to tell you how crazy John Terry and co used to be.
— Pys (@CFCPys) October 4, 2020
When twitter is lit with banter but you're a Manchester United or Liverpool fan pic.twitter.com/BjCD0alZ6S
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) October 4, 2020
The Manchester United Liverpool rivalry is so intense they can’t even let us suffer a heavy loss in peace without looking to outdo us.
— ᴬᴺᴺᴱᴹᴬᴿᴵᴱ (@Anna__Dray) October 4, 2020
Teacher: what comes after 5?
— SamAkintunde (@samkizz_elenu) October 4, 2020
Me: 6,7...
Teacher: Why did you write Manchester United and Liverpool ? pic.twitter.com/Q7jBn9tWag
Football Goals
— @TwitBola (@KepoBALL) October 5, 2020
⚽️ : Goal
⚽️⚽️ : Brace
⚽️⚽️⚽️ : Hattrick
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ : Quattrick
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ : Manchester City
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ : Manchester United
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ : Liverpool
⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ : Barcelona
Looks like Allardyce will be needed at City, United and Liverpool.
— Richard Amofa (@RichardAmofa) October 4, 2020
We watched Man Utd earlier today and said Don’t worry Ole, you'll never walk alone.
— Boring James Milner (@BoringMilner) October 4, 2020
Who would have thought that Klopp would be out before Solskjaer? 🤪
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 4, 2020
Only Spurs can beat Man Utd 6-1 at Old Trafford and still have their result overshadowed 😂
— Robbie Lyle (@ItsDonRobbie) October 4, 2020
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Oli Scarff