Liverpool 4-0 Manchester United: Defeat 'humiliating', says Ralf Rangnick

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick described his side's heavy Premier League defeat by Liverpool at Anfield as "humiliating".

United, who missed the chance to move level with fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for a Champions League place, dropped to sixth.

"It's embarrassing, it's disappointing, maybe even humiliating," Rangnick said.

Asked how United can close the gap to Liverpool, he added: "We have to accept they are six years ahead of us now.

"When Jurgen Klopp came they changed at the club and lifted not just the team but the club and city to a new level. That is what needs to happen with us in the next transfer windows."

Mohamed Salah scored twice - ending an eight-game goal drought - as the hosts once again thrashed United, following their 5-0 win at Old Trafford in October.

United remain three points behind Tottenham, having played one game more. They are level with upcoming opponents Arsenal, in fifth, though the Gunners have played two fewer games.

"The fans don't deserve us to play this way. They deserve more from us. The way they stay and applaud us, they deserve more. We have to raise our level higher. It is what it is," United midfielder Bruno Fernandes told Sky Sports.

"Liverpool is ready for the title, we are not. I don't need to be here saying about the difference of the level.

"We have to look at ourselves from top to bottom and understand what is going wrong. We are competing until the end. Nobody can put down and think it is over. We have something to fight for."

During the match, supporters of both clubs joined in a minute's applause in support of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo and his family following the death of his baby boy.

'Liverpool on brink of true greatness'

The emphatic victory took Jurgen Klopp's side two points clear of defending champions Manchester City, who can reclaim pole position when they face Brighton on Wednesday.

The Reds, who have already won the Carabao Cup, remain in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple haul of trophies heading into the final weeks of the season.

The Liverpool manager and his players have repeated the need to take one game at a time - and this latest display made them the first club to score at least eight Premier League goals against rivals United in a single season.

"All fans are smart and know it does not happen often," Klopp said. "United are not in a good moment, but for our fans it was a big one and they deserve every bit of joy. Tonight they received a lot of joy.

"I did enjoy tonight. I don't expect us to be for 95 minutes completely in charge of the game, but for 70 minutes we were in charge and for 20 minutes, while United weren't in charge, they caused us problems."

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness said: "This is a truly fabulous Liverpool team and they are on the brink of true greatness.

"This is the biggest game in English football and Liverpool were sensational," he added. "For the past decade United have made poor footballing decisions but the exact opposite to that is Liverpool, who seem to have done everything right."

More to follow.