Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd Xherdan Shaqiri came off the bench to make an instant impact with two second-half goals as Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Manchester United at Anfield. Liverpool took a deserved lead through Sadio Mane's neat control and finish from a fine Fabinho assist 24but Alisson was at fault manchester united contra liverpool United's equaliser as he dropped a cross into the path of Jesse Lingard, who finished with ease 33. Though United improved in the second half, Liverpool regained their lead through sub Shaqiri as his shot from 12 yards deflected off Ashley Young and in off the crossbar 73just three minutes after the Swiss had come on. United remain sixth, 19 points off the leaders. It was all Liverpool during a frantic start, as David de Gea was tested early by Roberto Firmino's low effort from the edge of the box, tipping the ball away to his left. Liverpool got the goal their start deserved midway through the half as Fabinho brilliantly picked out Mane in-between the United defence, before the forward took the ball down and tucked it under De Gea. Clyne made his first Premier League appearance of the season, while Lovren was also drafted in to partner Van Dijk in central defence. Keita and Fabinho also came in to replace Henderson and Miler, who was not in the squad. Mourinho opted to leave Pogba on the bench, while Lukaku was the only player to keep his place following the defeat at Valenica. Lindelof and Darmian also came in, replacing Jones and Mata. Smalling was injured in the warm-up manchester united contra liverpool Anfield, and was replaced by Bailly. But United were handed an early Christmas present as Alisson spilled Romelu Lukaku's simple cross from the left, allowing Lingard to turn the ball home with ease from close range. Though Paul Pogba was once more an option from the bench, Jose Mourinho decided to introduce Marouane Fellaini at half-time in place of Diogo Dalot, and the Belgian proved handy in United's own box by making several important clearances from Liverpool's regular corners. Liverpool nearly regained their lead shortly after the break as Firmino danced his way through the United defence, only to see his poked effort turned away low by De Gea, and though the visitors forced a manchester united contra liverpool attacks, Liverpool did eventually get their second. Jesse Lingard capitalised on Alisson's error to level for Manchester United After De Gea flicked away Mane's cross at the byline into the path of Shaqiri, the summer signing struck a low effort which deflected off Young and beyond the stretch of De Gea. His second goal came in similar circumstances, deciding to take on a shot from the edge of the box, before seeing it deflect of Eric Bailly this time and into the left corner. You are not judged as Manchester United players by beating Fulham, Huddersfield and Newcastle, those teams can be beaten easily if you play for United. It's what you do against the big teams, that's where you are judged if you want to be a top player for a top football club. Manchester United have got their recruitment wrong for a few years, a blind man can see that. Liverpool were streets ahead of United, absolutely streets ahead. They haven't got anyone in midfield that can pass a ball. They were hanging in there for a bit but the only real team who were going to win the game was Liverpool. The first half an hour was outstanding. Manchester united contra liverpool we played was just perfect. We have lots of players that I could consider 'injury-prones', because some of our players are always injured. And it's not with me, it was before me. When you are permanently injured, physicality is difficult to get. Then there are qualities that a player has, and doesn't have, you cannot improve and cannot make them have. Man of the match - Xherdan Shaqiri When he was introduced with 20 minutes to go, there was a collective roar around Anfield, as if they knew this was the impact Liverpool needed. At that point, United were creating half chances, and the hosts were desperate for a lift. Yes, both goals were deflected, but Shaqiri found himself in space on numerous occasions, and his low centre of gravity on the ball can change the tempo of a game in and around the penalty in an instant. That's just what Liverpool need when having difficulty in breaking down sides late on. Liverpool now go to Wolves on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 8pm, while United are at Cardiff at 5.
