Liverpool register historic triumph over 'shambolic' Man Utd

Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0

Liverpool took control of their Europa League last-16 showdown with Manchester United at Anfield, registering a comfortable victory against a side described by Paul Scholes as "shambolic".

The first ever meeting between the two sides in European competition was a chastening experience for the Red Devils and afterwards, the Old Trafford legend turned pundit laid into his former club on BT Sport, saying: "They were a shambles. The lack of quality and fight... When you are United, there are certain standards you have to be at and they haven't made them. When we were playing, we were reaching them. These players are falling well short."

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It was certainly not a night to remember for United as they faced a Liverpool side also struggling to make a mark in a stuttering season. It's a sign of the times that the two clubs were clashing in the Europa League, a competition once ridiculed by both sets of fans, but nonetheless the atmosphere inside Anfield was electric and the Kop soon had reason to raise the roof even more. Roberto Firmino's precise pass was picked up by Nathaniel Clyne on 19 minutes and he was tripped by Memphis Depay inside the penalty area.

Referee Carlos Velasco Carballo pointed to the spot and Daniel Sturridge squeezed the ball past the despairing dive of David De Gea for the opening goal.

From then on, De Gea was the only United player who looked like he belonged on such a stage. The Spanish keeper pulled off a string of fine saves - including two wonderful stops from Philippe Coutinho - but he was powerless to prevent the Reds doubling their advantage on 73 minutes. Michael Carrick's weak clearance fell to Adam Lallana, who teed up Firmino to hammer the ball home from six yards.

"Liverpool were the better team in the first half but in second half, we did a better match," reflected United manager Louis van Gaal. "I don't think we were very creative in the third and fourth phase but it is also the defence of Liverpool and you can give credit for that to Liverpool. We have to improve a lot to create more goals."

In fact, United failed to muster a single clear chance on the Liverpool goal. Asked if his side had bottled the big stage, Van Gaal admitted: "We did not cope with the high pressure of Liverpool... We had expected that and for me, it was a surprise we did not cope with it."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp thanked the fans afterwards for providing an atmosphere that clearly intimidated their opponents. "The atmosphere tonight was unbelievable, really great, and I want to say thank you to everyone that was involved," he said. "That was Liverpool how I knew it before I came here... [and] I am so pleased for all of the people who have had harder times with us this season. Tonight was the first part of paying them back."

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford for the second leg next Thursday and despite the two-goal cushion, Klopp warned against complacency. "In the end, 2-0 - if you had said this before the game, of course, I take it. But it's not over... We are in a good position and we want to go to the next round. For that, we have to play like this again in Manchester."