Diogo Dalot and Liverpool comparison raised after Erik ten Hag fired by Man Utd

Liverpool fans have reacted with disappointment to the news of Erik ten Hag's dismissal from Manchester United . The Dutchman departs after a two-and-a-half-year stint at the helm of the Red Devils, leaving the team in a precarious state.

United has only managed three Premier League victories this season, its latest defeat being a 2-1 loss to West Ham due to a contentious late penalty by Jarrod Bowen. It has already suffered four league losses this season, including a 3-0 thrashing by Liverpool at Old Trafford during Arne Slot 's third game as Reds' manager.

Its Europa League campaign has been equally disappointing, failing to secure a win in its first three group-stage matches. With United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, Liverpool supporters expressed their sorrow on social media over Ten Hag's departure, with Ruud van Nistlerooy stepping in as interim manager.

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Comments ranged from "it was great while it lasted," "never forgotten" and simply "noooo". Some fans recalled Ten Hag's statement that "eras come to an end" upon his appointment in 2022.

He had said:" I admire both, Man City and Liverpool. They play fantastic football. But eras come to an end."

Despite leading United back into the Champions League and securing both the FA Cup and League Cup, Ten Hag's tenure was marred by a crushing defeat to Slot's side in September and a humiliating 7-0 loss to the Reds at Anfield in March 2023.

In a twist of fate, some fans have drawn parallels between Diogo Dalot's glaring miss in the defeat to West Ham and Steven Gerrard's infamous penalty blunder against Blackburn Rovers back in January 2011, which marked the end of Roy Hodgson's tenure as Liverpool manager. Dalot had the goal at his mercy after rounding West Ham keeper Lukas Fabianski in the first half, only to inexplicably send his shot wide.

This was one of several missed opportunities for United before Crysencio Summerville netted the opener for the Hammers, setting the stage for Ten Hag's dismissal the following day. Rewind 13 years, and Gerrard sent his penalty soaring over the bar at Ewood Park as Liverpool desperately sought an equalizer.

Despite having already found the net earlier in the game, Gerrard's penalty miss ultimately led to Liverpool's defeat and Hodgson's subsequent sacking, with Sir Kenny Dalglish stepping into the managerial role. The rumor mill has been churning ever since, with many jesting that Gerrard intentionally botched the penalty to hasten Hodgson's departure - a theory now being applied to Dalot.