Liverpool are top of the Premier League for the first time since October last year after sauntering past a dismal Manchester United side 4-0 at Anfield on Tuesday evening.

The result means that Jurgen Klopp's men now put nine goals past the Red Devils in the Premier League this season without reply, following their 5-0 demolition of United at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign.

In truth, things could have been far worse for Ralf Rangnick's men on Merseyside if it were not for Liverpool very noticeably taking their foot off the accelerator for the opening 20 minutes of the second period.

Goals from Luis Diaz and Mo Salah gave Liverpool a two-goal advantage at the break, with United rarely looking likely to offer any meaningful reply.

Liverpool did manage to bag two further goals before the end, though. Sadio Mane made it 3-0 with a fine first-time finish, before Salah grabbed his brace to put the icing on the cake for the Reds.

United's defence was in disarray for much of the night, but their lack of unity really came under fire for Liverpool's final goal of the evening.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Harry Maguire of Manchester United looks on as Sadio Mane of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on April 19, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

So disorganised was the United backline in the build-up to Salah's second goal of the evening that footage of it has gone viral - with some fans suggesting that the visiting side was attempting the 'worst offside trap ever'.

We don't necessarily agree with that assessment as it seems as though United captain Harry Maguire actually moves forward to try and intercept a through ball from Diogo Jota or close down Mane rather than play Salah offside.

That said, the positioning from the entire Man Utd backline is pretty shambolic as Salah is allowed to ghost in behind the defence with the greatest of ease.

You can check out Salah's second goal - and the defensive chaos that accompanied it below.

Watch: Man Utd's abysmal defensive line as Salah grabs Liverpool's fourth goal

Few things are more painful to a United fan than a hammering at the hands of Liverpool and supporters quickly took to Twitter to slam their side's lack of communication in the moments leading up to the goal.

Read on for the best of that fan reaction.

United were so poor at Anfield that it's incredibly hard to take any positives from the match. However, looking at the overall picture, they still retain a slim chance of sneaking into fourth place in the Premier League table and securing Champions League football next season.

For that to stand any chance of happening, though, they must improve considerably at both ends of the field in their final five games. Defensive frailty like we witnessed on Tuesday night is shocking to see from a club of United's stature.

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Liverpool destroy United (Via The Football Terrace)