Liverpool, United face historic humiliation

LONDON:

Liverpool great Graeme Souness says Aston Villa may have let the grass grow on their home pitch a bit longer than usual in a bid to stop the Premier League champions hitting top gear on Sunday.

A superb first-half hat-trick from Ollie Watkins helped Villa to a 7-2 victory, handing Klopp's side their first defeat of the season. It was the first time Liverpool conceded seven goals in a match in any competition since 1963.

"... What I would say, Villa, and it's the same for both teams, I think they've left the grass longer than normal to slow Liverpool's movement," Sky Sports pundit Souness said.

"All the top teams want short grass, a fast pitch. That doesn't look like a fast pitch to me."

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports said they would review their performance but would not get too down on themselves.

"... We have to be very hard with each other – and we will be. It's key to not get crazy but we have to be stepping it up," .

"The performance level between the last game against Arsenal for the league and today was too big ... everyone has to take responsibility."

Klopp said goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who missed the game with a shoulder injury, faces up to six weeks out and would miss their next fixture against Everton on Oct. 17.

"... It could have been worse with that injury," Klopp said. "I don't want to put a timeframe on it but four weeks could be possible, six weeks is maybe more likely."

‘Spurs would’ve scored 10 with attacking coach'

Tottenham Hotspur's Jose Mourinho delivered a sharp riposte to critics of his "defensive" style on Sunday, saying after their 6-1 Premier League win over Manchester United that they would have scored 10 if only they had a more attacking coach.

Mourinho came in for criticism last season due to some defensive displays and disappointing results after he took over from the sacked Mauricio Pochettino in November.

However, Sunday's victory, which followed a 7-2 win over Maccabi Haifa in Europe on Thursday, saw Spurs join Premier League top scorers Everton and Leicester City on 12 goals from four games.

"Imagine if they have an attacking coach," Mourinho told beIN Sports. "With a defensive coach, they scored ... six. With an attacking coach they'll score 10, 11, 12.

"We were more convinced about our power, our qualities and our gameplan than about United's weaknesses, because I don't think that they have many."

Victory was especially sweet for Mourinho, who was returning to the club which sacked him 22 months ago.

"The mentality is great. The players are playing very well. Everyone is giving everything. The squad is of course full of quality, talent and in this moment numbers," Mourinho added.

"Now the players are going to go to their national teams and we keep working."

Spurs return to action after the international break and host West Ham United on Oct. 18. 

Rashford apologises to fans after thrashing

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has apologised to the club's supporters following their 6-1 hammering by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Spurs' Son Heung-min and Harry Kane each scored twice as manager Jose Mourinho celebrated a victorious return to the club which sacked him 22 months ago.

The result at Old Trafford equalled United's worst defeat in the Premier League era. They were previously beaten 6-1 by local rivals Manchester City in October 2011.

"First and foremost I'm a United fan. This is my club. I'm so proud to wear this shirt but there are no excuses, it's just not good enough and to every single fan around the world that tuned in today, I'm just so sorry," Rashford tweeted.

"You deserve so much better than that. I would have stayed away from social media tonight but you deserve to hear from me during the highs and the lows, there is no hiding.

"I feel horrible but I promise you we will do better."

Defender Luke Shaw said the result was "embarrassing" and that the players had to take more responsibility.

"A club like United shouldn't be losing, but losing in this way ... it really hurts and it is kind of embarrassing because I feel like we have let a lot of people down today who were watching at home," Shaw told Sky Sports.