Liverpool cruised to a seven-goal hammering over Manchester United.
Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock shortly before half time with a sweeping finish after being released down the left-hand side by Andy Robertson.
The Reds doubled their lead minutes after the interval through Darwin Nunez, who met Harvey Elliott’s cross from the near post with a clinical header.
Gakpo extended the hosts’ advantage just three minutes later when he met Mohamed Salah’s threaded pass to the byline with a sublime dinked finish.
Salah joined the score sheet midway through the second half by drilling an emphatic half-volley into The Kop’s net from a Scott McTominay deflection.
Nunez doubled his tally during the game’s final quarter with a powerful header to meet Jordan Henderson’s delivery from the left-hand side.
On 83 minutes, Salah replaced Robbie Fowler as Liverpool’s all-time leading Premier League goal scorer with an instinctive finish from close range.
Substitute Roberto Firmino capped off a perfect afternoon for Jurgen Klopp’s side when he slotted the ball home from Salah’s second assist of the game.
Liverpool now sit just three points behind Tottenham in the battle for a top-four finish, having played a game less than their London counterparts.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
Reds in driving seat for top four race
Where to even begin when dissecting such a historic afternoon?
Liverpool had racked up a 9-0 aggregate win over Manchester United last season but could have easily matched it in this ultimately emphatic encounter.
Six goals in 41 second-half minutes saw Jurgen Klopp’s side inflict the heaviest-ever loss on their counterparts across the East Lancs Road.
Erik ten Hag and his United players could not wait to head down the tunnel after the final whistle after being well and truly schooled by their hosts.
More than that, though, the Reds put themselves in the previously unlikely position of moving into the box seat for Champions League qualification.
Just three points stand between Klopp’s relentless charges and fourth-placed Tottenham, who have played a match more than their closest challengers.
Winning their game in-hand at Chelsea would see normal service resumed as Anfield aims to toast its seventh consecutive season among Europe’s elite.
Suddenly, a campaign which previously appeared to be an increasingly lost cause for Liverpool has all the hallmarks of another whirlwind transformation.
Kopites might even dare to dream of overturning a 5-2 deficit in their Champions League knockout tie with Real Madrid in 10 days’ time.
Gakpo’s right call pays off again
Cody Gakpo faced a potential moment of realisation in this latest fixture.
Both Liverpool and United had vied for the Netherlands international’s signature over Christmas, with the former successful in that particular race.
Turning down the chance of working under Ten Hag at a highly resurgent Old Trafford to join a struggling Reds side always carried the potential to backfire.
But the Red Devils’ loss has been their North West rivals’ gain as Gakpo piled the misery on his compatriot at a rain-lashed Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
A well-worked opener, cutting inside and firing a tidy finish past David de Gea highlighted some of the talent which saw the United manager first take note.
His second was also a cut above, bamboozling the visiting goalkeeper with a deft chip to take his tally to four goals in his last five Premier League outings.
Gakpo’s Liverpool career required an early adjustment but he already appears to have made the right call in choosing Merseyside over Manchester’s red.
Firmino’s farewell tour gets underway
News of Roberto Firmino’s impending departure had become the worst-kept secret before Liverpool stepped out for their second home game in a week.
The Brazilian’s contribution across an eight-year stay speaks for itself, having helped the club win virtually ever major honour that was available to them.
Although he has not always commanded the spotlight during that time, all eyes will be on Firmino for his remaining weeks in the famous red shirt.
His second-half introduction in place of Gakpo brought the Anfield faithful to its feet in sheer adulation for their veteran, and soon-to-be former, forward.
The famous stadium’s decibel levels had already risen several times over as their team began to plunder the goals but they saved the very best for last.
Firmino’s initial close control may have faltered but his swift recovery before firing through the legs of a hapless De Gea sent Liverpool fans into rapture.
As farewell tours go, this was as close to a perfect start for the 31-year-old.