Manchester United and Liverpool played out what feels like the first entertaining game between the two in about a decade on Sunday afternoon.
With 'Red Monday' still pinging around the collective footballing consciousness, the two teams contributed to a ding-dong match at Old Trafford, with United finishing 3-2 winners.
Mohamed Salah beat the United defence to claim a much-needed goal, dinking a lovely finish over Dean Henderson after great play from Roberto Firmino on 19 minutes.
Mason Greenwood got a sorely-needed goal of his own, finishing low to Alisson's right after being slid in by Marcus Rashford.
Just after the break, it was Greenwood's turn to lay on for Rashford, with United's number 10 finishing confidently.
United's lead in the match lasted just 11 minutes, with Salah catching out Dean Henderson to equalise.
Bruno Fernandes was brought on on 66 minutes, with Donny van de Beek starting in his place.
After Edinson Cavani was adjudged to have been brought down by Fabinho, Fernandes placed a venomous free-kick to Alisson's right, to put the game ultimately beyond Liverpool's reach.
It is a performance that United fans would have long been wanting, after a series of stalemates or those finishing comfortably in Liverpool's favour.
Naturally, social media was abuzz with gloating United fans, chief among whom was Gary Neville...
Manchester United through to FA Cup fifth round
Good win for United . Credit to Coventry for sticking at it 👍🏻
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) January 24, 2021
Jovial pic.twitter.com/47ZKmfsbZX
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) January 24, 2021
Great management by Olè resting Fernandes & bringing him on to score the winner #MunLiv
— Trevor Sinclair (@trevor8sinclair) January 24, 2021
Back to back defeats for Liverpool - now out of the #facup.
Solskjaer & Klopp seasons heading on opposite trajectories.
United top of PL and into #FACup 5th round pic.twitter.com/8kDhrgKmyJ— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) January 24, 2021
Around for tomorrow’s show @DamienDelaney8? pic.twitter.com/jOAQzOuRHD
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) January 24, 2021
FT: United 3 #LFC 2: More misery for Klopp's Liverpool as they are knocked out of the FA Cup at Old Trafford. Fernandes' FK proved decisive. Salah's dinked opener cancelled out by Greenwood. Rashford had put United in front before Salah's second. Lack of CBs cost them dear there
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 24, 2021
Jovial pic.twitter.com/47ZKmfsbZX
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) January 24, 2021
My head is fried from listening to Jenas! 🤯
— Darran O'Sullivan (@Darransull86) January 24, 2021
Luke Shaw is in outstanding form and one of the best English Left Backs around at the moment. Another great example of Solskjaer man management in getting the best out of his players.
— Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) January 24, 2021
Twenty-two to the day since a substitute decided an FA Cup fourth round tie between United and Liverpool, another sub has. United top of the league and have knocked Liverpool out of the Cup. Not a bad mid-season double. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) January 24, 2021
What a game this has been. Really makes up for that mundane 0-0 last week..
— Caoimhe O'Neill (@CaoimheSport) January 24, 2021
Pogba man of the match? | #MUNLIV pic.twitter.com/ximBa5qwci
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) January 24, 2021
Klopp on confidence
Jurgen Klopp had spoken about Liverpool's confidence going into the game.
"Of course we go again, there is no doubt about that. When things don't work out on the pitch as we want them to work out, then there is an issue," Klopp said.
"The issue is the things I tell the boys, I didn't say it clear enough. I have to change the way I tell the boys.
"Confidence is something not naturally given. You have to build confidence. That's why we have to mention the word but it is not disappeared. We have to work. That is what you do."
