Two second-half goals from super-sub Xherdan Shaqiri and one from Sadio Mane helped Liverpool to a 3-1 win to put them back top of the Premier League.
The victory – Liverpool’s first at home over Manchester United since 2013 and Jose Mourinho’s first Anfield defeat since 2007 – takes them 19 points clear of their arch rivals.
It is the biggest margin between the two sides at this stage of the season for 46 years.
Mourinho gave a tense post-match interview afterwards where Shreeves asked him if he was the man to fix United.
The Special One answered that questioned – eventually – and admitted any chances of winning the title were gone. Instead, United’s sights are on the top four.
But he then took exception to Shreeves questioning whether all the United players were behind him.
Shreeves asked: “Do you think this squad are with you? Have you got the backing of the whole dressing room? Are they playing for you?”
That left Jose Mourinho fuming as he slammed Shreeves and accused him of disrespecting the United players’ integrity.
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has row with Geoff Shreeves after Liverpool defeat (Image: SKYSPORTS)
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has row with Geoff Shreeves after Liverpool defeat (Image: SKYSPORTS)
“I believe they are honest and you believe they are dishonest,” the United boss snapped.
For Gary Neville, the defeat too much to bear as he hit out at the shambles of a midfield during his stint on live commentary for the game.
Disgusted at what he was watching, Neville fumed: “Manchester United are all over the place. I have to say, they haven’t got a centre-midfield player who can pass a football in the club.
“Not one of them can take the ball properly on the half-turn and they can’t see a pass.
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has row with Geoff Shreeves after Liverpool defeat (Image: SKYSPORTS)
“You can’t play through the midfield.
“Juan Mata can play that way but he’s not a centre-midfielder. And now Paul Pogba’s not going to get on the pitch
“You’ve spent £700 million on this team and squad and you’re thinking where is it, where’s it gone?!”
While Roy Keane simply dubbed the United players not up to standard for Old Trafford.
Appearing as a Sky Sports pundit for a one-off appearance, Neville said: “It’s fairly easy sitting up here and being critical. I feel a lot of players playing for Man United aren’t good enough for Man United. They’re good players, but not for Man United.
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has row with Geoff Shreeves after Liverpool defeat (Image: SKYSPORTS)
“The biggest problem for United is defensively. You’ve got to keep clean-sheets and they look like they’re all over the place.
“If Liverpool were on it today, they could have scored four or five.”
While bookmakers Coral reacted by cutting Mourinho into 8-13 (from 5-6) to leave before the final game of the 2018/19 Premier League season. He is 6-5 to still be at the club for that game.
Coral is already betting on who will take over at Old Trafford as the next manager in which Zinedine Zidane is the 5-4 favourite, Antonio Conte is 6-1 and Mauricio Pochettino 7-1.
“With a top four spot at the end of the campaign now looking increasingly unlikely following defeat to their rivals Liverpool at Anfield, the odds on Jose Mourinho leaving before the end of the season have been cut even further,” said Coral’s John Hill.
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has row with Geoff Shreeves after Liverpool defeat (Image: SKYSPORTS)
JOSE MOURINHO AND GEOFF SHREEVES ROW – THE FULL TRANSCRIPT
GS – Geoff Shreeves, JM – Jose Mourinho
GS: The wider picture of course is this is broken right now.
JM: Sorry.
GS: This is broken right now – Manchester United’s worst start to the season in 26 years.
JM: Yeah…
GS: You’re 19 points behind Liverpool.
JM: Yeah…
GS: You’re 11 points behind the top four.
JM: Yeah…
GS: Can you fix this?
JM: What do you mean by fix? If you mean by winning the title, of course not. Of course I can’t fix.
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has row with Geoff Shreeves after Liverpool defeat (Image: SKYSPORTS)
GS: What can you do?
JM: We can still finish fourth. It’s not easy. For sure, for sure, we’re going to finish in the top six like historically all the top teams. We can get the fourth position. Now we have to look to the fifth, and probably later the fourth.
GS: Do you think this squad are with you? Have you got the backing of the whole dressing room? Are they playing for you?
JM: What is that? What does that mean?
GS: Are they giving 100 per cent?
JM: Are you calling the players dishonest?
GS: No, I’m asking you.
JM: You’re asking me if they’re dishonest.
GS: No, I’m asking you an honest question. Do you believe these Manchester United players are giving 100 per cent and they believe in you?
JM: I believe they are honest and you believe they are dishonest.
GS: That is a clear distinction.