Virgil van Dijk laughs at Andre Onana as Liverpool boss Arne Slot ignores Man United taunts

Liverpool continued their encouraging start to the season with comprehensive victory over Manchester United on Sunday. Luis Diaz scored twice and Mohamed Salah also netted as the Reds earned a memorable 3-0 triumph against their bitter North West rivals.

The result means Arne Slot has become the first Liverpool boss in 129 years to win his first three league games in charge and the only one to ever achieve the feat in the top flight.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Old Trafford...

Van Dijk laughs

Liverpool were in no mood to stand for any nonsense from United on Sunday. And that was evident in the performance of skipper Virgil van Dijk.

After the centre-back was given a dig in the ribs by United goalkeeper Andre Onana while preparing for a corner, he paused for a second or two then doubled over in fake pain before swiftly standing back up while laughing.

And a little later on, Van Dijk offered only cursory consolation to chief United mischief-maker Bruno Fernandes as the midfielder clutched his ankle in seeming agony after one challenge. Bless.

No substitute for Trent

If Trent Trent Alexander-Arnold's grump on being substituted against Brentford the previous weekend had prompted a brief frenzy among Liverpool supporters, his reaction when replaced once again at Old Trafford was far more welcomed.

The right-back, similar to Andy Robertson shortly afterwards, directed a pointed fist-pump towards the jubilant away end as he walked from the field.

And after the final whistle, the vice-captain approached the travelling Kop and reminded them with his fingers what the final scoreline was. Not that they'll forget in a hurry, of course.

Slot all smiles

It was hardly running a gauntlet of hate. But Liverpool's players had to face a gaggle of United fans when they made the short journey from the tunnel to the team bus outside Old Trafford.

Alexander-Arnold once again outlined the score on his hand before getting a friendly slap from Salah, while Diaz gave a friendly salute and Darwin Nunez walked past wearing, well, who knows what.

And Reds boss Slot offered a trademark thumbs up before a wry smile hinted at his thoughts of the smattering of boos that met his presence.

Ten Hag doppelganger

A big game prompted some big names in the press room. There watching with a United persuasion were the likes of Paul Scholes, Jaap Stam and Dion Dublin while Liverpool were represented by, among others, David James, Sander Westerveld and Florent Sinama-Pongolle.

Michael Owen straddled the divide between the two clubs - although he maintains he's Liverpool at heart - while even former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg made an appearance.

And also in attendance was a hack with such a striking resemblance to the Manchester United boss that he was swiftly dubbed 'Erik 11 Hag' by a witty japester.