Liverpool see of Manchester United in convincing victory
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Your support makes all the difference.Substitute Xherdan Shaqiri scored two goals from deflected shots to help Liverpool beat fierce rivals Manchester United 3-1 and lift his team back atop the Premier League on Sunday.
Days after keeping Liverpool in the Champions League with a stunning late save against Napoli, Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker made a dreadful mistake that gifted United an equalizer through Jesse Lingard in the 33rd minute at Anfield.
But Shaqiri spared Alisson from some of his embarrassment by putting Liverpool back in front in the 73rd — within three minutes of coming on as a substitute — with a low strike that deflected off United defender Ashley Young and went in off the crossbar.
Shaqiri's second goal clinched Liverpool victory and again came via a ricochet, this time off Eric Bailly, to deceive United goalkeeper David De Gea in the 80th.
Sadio Mane had given Liverpool the lead in the 24th.
United has been beaten 3-1 by both of its biggest rivals in recent weeks — it also lost by that score at Manchester City last month — and was outplayed on both occasions.
Liverpool is a point ahead of second-placed City — and 19 points ahead of sixth-placed United — after 17 games.
AP
PREVIEW
What time does it start?
Liverpool vs Manchester United kicks off at 4:00pm (GMT) on Sunday 16th December.
Where can I watch it?
Liverpool vs Manchester United will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Main Event and Premier League channels from 3:30pm (GMT).
Sky subscribers can stream the match online via the Sky Go app.
Highlights will be shown at 10:15pm on BBC Two.
Player to watch…
Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian is back to his very best form, and his individual effort in midweek against Napoli secured the Reds’ qualification into the knockout stages of the Champions League. Last week, Salah scored a brilliant hat-trick away at Bournemouth and the 26-year-old is now the joint top-scorer in the Premier League on 10 goals, alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, he drew a blank against United last season, and Liverpool haven’t scored at home against United in the league since March 2015.
Form guide…
Liverpool: WLWWWW
Manchester United: DWDDWL
Odds…
Liverpool to win: 11/20
Manchester United to win: 5/1
Draw: 16/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United, 38 minutes
Liverpool remain on top, but Manchester United have been understandably lifted by that goal.
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United, 39 minutes
Romelu Lukaku loses control of the ball, jostling with Virgil Van Djik, and slides in uncomfortably on Naby Keita.
On initial viewing it appeared a nasty one with a lunging and high boot perhaps making contact studs up with Keita's shin, though Martin Atkinson swiftly retrieves the yellow card from his pocket.
On replay, however, a booking is a fair enough call. Nothing overwhelmingly dangerous in the challenge.
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United, 42 minutes
Manchester United have grown immeasurably since being handed the equaliser.
Their passing is much crisper, their movement much more threatening and they are starting to trouble the Liverpool defence.
Ander Herrera chances his arm with a 20-yard drive but on this occasion Alisson safely collects.
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United, 44 minutes
The noise at Anfield is coming largely from the away end for the time being.
The home fans are lifted a little as Fabinho again finds space, earning a corner as his firm shot deflects away off of Victor Lindelof.
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United, 45 minutes
Andrew Robertson's delivery is again a lacklustre one.
Two additional minutes signalled by the fourth official as Sadio Mane is flagged for offside.
Half time at Anfield. Manchester United have been thoroughly outclassed, but are level at half time after Alisson's blunder.
Liverpool began the half in complete control, and the seemingly inevitable opener came in delightful fashion. Fabinho's clipped pass, Sadio Mane's chest and volley - a 1-0 lead...
But, completely against the run of play, Alisson mishandled a seemingly innocuous Romelu Lukaku cross to hand Jesse Lingard the simplest of chances and it is 1-1 at the half time interval.
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