Liverpool beat Manchester United 3-1 at Anfield on Sunday as substitute Xherdan Shaqiri scored twice to add to Sadio Mane’s first-half strike.

Liverpool 3-1 Man United

‣ Anfield

‣ Premier League

‣ 16 December 2018

The Reds had failed to beat their arch rivals in the Premier League four two and a half years, with their previous two fixtures at Anfield ending goalless.

However, Jurgen Klopp’s side put end to that statistic with a enthralling 3-1 victory on Sunday, thanks to substitute Xherdan Shaqiri.

Liverpool dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead via Sadio Mane in the 24th minute after the winger was played through by midfielder Fabinho.

However, against the run of play, Jesse Lingard capitalised on an error from Alisson to prod the ball home from close range and give the visitors an undeserved equaliser going into the break.

The Reds continued to boss the play in the second-half, with over 70% possession. The final ball was often lacking, only for Klopp to bring on Shaqiri for Naby Keita.

The Swiss international took no time to get adjusted to the game as his two deflected strikes gave Liverpool the victory.

Liverpool are now 19 points ahead of Jose Mourinho’s side and go back to the top of the Premier League table following Man City’s win over Everton yesterday.

Goalscorers

‣ Sadio Mane (24′)

‣ Jesse Lingard (34′)

‣ Xherdan Shaqiri (73′)

‣ Xherdan Shaqiri (80′)

Nathaniel Clyne was one of four changes to the side, with Dejan Lovren, Fabinho & Naby Keita all being brought in.

The injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip and James Milner made way, whilst Jordan Henderson was on the bench.

Liverpool dominated possession from the off, as Roberto Firmino had an early effort blocked by Ashley Young after being put through by Mohamed Salah.

United thought they had taken the lead when Young’s free-kick went all the way in, however Romelu Lukaku had made an attempt for the ball from an offside position, with the linesman disallowing the goal.

Firmino, who looked sharp on the ball, tested David de Gea from distance before Fabinho and Lovren followed suit, all inside the opening 10 minutes.

The game started to settle in to a rhythm and in the 24th minute, Liverpool finally got their reward.

Fabinho, who was dictating play from the centre, clipped a ball into Mane, who made his way in to the box past Young and controlled the ball on his chest before finishing excellently past De Gea.

Whilst it was all Liverpool in the opening half, the visitors managed to equalise when Alisson spilled a cross in to the path of Lingard, who scored against the run of play to give Mourinho’s side hope for the second half.

The Reds started the second half strongly as Firmino went close to restoring the lead, only for De Gea to stop his goal-bound effort, before Mane’s shot was blocked by Young.

The Reds exerted pressure on their counterparts as Lovren, Van Dijk and Fabinho all came close with attempts of their own.

The United defence stood strong however, and they almost took the lead themselves when Young’s ball in to the box appeared to be heading Marouane Fellani’s way, only for Andy Robertson to deny the Belgian with an excellent intercepting header.

With the game posed, Klopp made his first change, bringing on Shaqiri in place of Keita. The Swiss international took no time to get accustomed to the game before putting the Reds in front.

Mane sent in a cross that eluded everyone, only for Shaqiri to reach the ball and settle before firing in to the underside of the crossbar and in to the back of the net.

Shaqiri then doubled the Reds’ advantage as his effort from outside the box deflected off Eric Bailly and past De Gea to send the Reds a point clear at the top of the table.

Liverpool: Alisson; Clyne, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Mane (Henderson 83′), Firmino, Keita (Shaqiri 69′); Salah.

Highlights

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