There were many words Erik ten Hag could have used to describe his Manchester United players on Sunday afternoon but 'unprofessional' was both carefully chosen and fiercely cutting.
United's mentality in collapsing so readily during that second half will be of huge concern to the Dutchman. His side were arguably the better of the two during the opening 45 minutes, and while talk of giving up has since been dismissed as 'nonsense' by Marcus Rashford, there is no doubt they buckled under Liverpool pressure and discipline went out of the window.
It is that discipline that has been the main pillar of Ten Hag's tenure, the Reds boss instilling a level of professionalism into a club that has for so long lacked it. Benching Rashford for turning up late to a meeting and axing Cristiano Ronaldo after his interview with Piers Morgan were both correct calls.
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Whether it is just an anomaly of a result or a hint at something more remains to be seen, and United have bounced back from humbling defeats more than once already this season. On Thursday, they welcome Real Betis to Old Trafford for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie, a test of their mettle against a resolute outfit.
Ten Hag may be inclined to make changes from Sunday's humiliation and that may include several players who the Reds boss is perhaps ready to let go in the summer. MEN Sport revealed earlier this year that the club had drawn up a list of players who they were willing to offload as part of a summer rebuild.
Who exactly is on that list is unknown, but a backseat role for the likes of Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof suggests their futures at United are under review. Ten Hag will be looking for a reaction on Thursday, however, and if that comes from someone on the fringes of the squad then it could well force a re-think.
All three of the above could start against Betis and may well be joined by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, whose future is also in doubt despite a recent resurgence in form.
An opportunity, then, to dictate their own futures. Maguire has been club captain since 2020 but has just 10 starts under his belt this season. But the 29-year-old has acted admirably in his new supporting role and remains an influential figure in the dressing room, particularly during tough spells - which the last few days undoubtedly have been.
McTominay and Lindelof have seen their minutes dwindle, but remain ready when called upon as vital squad players at a club likely to go far in every competition offered to them at the start of the season. Wan-Bissaka could go as far as to stake a claim for a place in United's strongest line-up, considering Diogo Dalot's recent poor form.
Ten Hag chose to use the word 'unprofessional' because he wants to see a committed and disciplined performance. What better way to prove both of those qualities than coming into the team off the back of losing 7-0 and steadying the ship?
That is what those called upon must do on Thursday and when needed going forward. One of Ten Hag's biggest qualms in his post-match media duties over the weekend was that his players 'didn't fulfil their jobs' - and if those on the fringes can come in and simply meet that requirement over the next few weeks, their futures at United may become clearer.
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