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)
A half time change from Jose Mourinho, and presumably a tactical shift.
Diogo Dalot has not re-emerged as Marouane Fellaini is introduced.
Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United, 46 minutes
Manchester United have gone to a 4-3-3 with Marouane Fellaini in midfield with Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera. Damian-Bailly-Lindelof-Young the back four.
48 minutes
An equally lively beginning to the second half as to that of the first.
Sadio Mane and Marcus Rashford both get to the byline at opposite ends, but neither can find a teammate with their subsequent crosses.
50 minutes
A half-hearted penalty shout from Liverpool as the ball strikes Eric Bailly's arm, but Martin Atkinson waves the appeals away.
52 minutes
Eric Bailly is lying prone after falling awkwardly, and thus Liverpool aren't happy when Martin Atkinson lets play continue.
Roberto Firmino's fancy footwork somehow finds space for a shot when there seemed to be none, David De Gea making another excellent save low to his left and getting back up swiftly to help turn the follow-up behind for a corner.
54 minutes
Eric Bailly has a back issue but will soldier on for the time being at least, gingerly trudging back onto the pitch after Manchester United clear the corner.
55 minutes
Fabinho is fortunate that his wayward pass does not rebound into an area of danger for Liverpool, the Brazilian collecting the loose ball.
Manchester United look to have better balance with the 4-3-3.
57 minutes
Liverpool win their eighth corner (Manchester United have not had a single one) but again a Manchester United head is there to meet it, and Nathaniel Clyne's effort is not even close to finding the target.
Jurgen Klopp looks increasingly frustrated as he remonstrates from the technical area.
59 minutes
Kenny Dalglish watches on from the posh seats high up in the Anfield crowd, and Dejan Lovren seemingly tries to find him with a 35-yard drive that starts high and wide and only gets higher and wider.
Awful.
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