David de Gea says Manchester United’s 7-0 loss to Liverpool was a “catastrophic moment” and vows they will turn things around with their “duty to this club”.
Erik ten Hag’s team suffered their biggest defeat ever when hosts Jurgen Klopp erupted in a Premier League match at Anfield.
Just a week after United ended a six-year trophy drought with success in the EFL Cup final, such capitulation was in stark contrast to the progress they have made this season.
De Gea was only too well aware of the impact of the result and subsequently tweeted an open message to the fans, promising that he and his teammates would respond.
“I know these messages are inappropriate on a day like this,” he wrote.
“It was a cataclysmic moment for us, and results like this shouldn’t have happened, especially given the path we’re all on.
7. Manchester United’s 7-0 defeat at Anfield was Erik ten Hag’s toughest managerial career. Today is the 481st match he has managed in all competitions. Rocked. pic.twitter.com/1laEgE2LOL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 5, 2023
“We have a duty to this club, a responsibility to represent the badge, but we have a lot of room to look forward.
“(We) have a lot of games coming soon and we have to focus on them.”
After playing a pivotal role at Wembley last month, De Gea delivered one of his roughest performances of the season, parrying just one of eight attempts on target.
Doubles from Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez and a finish from Roberto Firmino helped Liverpool extend their winning streak over United.
The latter will be looking to bounce back quickly in the Europa League round of 16 first leg against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
