Shaqiri the star for Liverpool in dominant win over Manchester United

Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United

Xherdan Shaqiri proved to be the thorn in Jose Mourinho’s side  as Liverpool were rampant in their 
3-1 win over Manchester United at Anfield and go back to the top of the Premier League.

The Switzerland forward got two goals to add to Sadio Mane’s opener. Jesse Lingard had leveled for United before half-time.

Liverpool have title ambitions of their own whilst Manchester United are struggling to keep up with the top four.

Chris Smalling pulled out of the game in the warm up so Eric Bailly came in as his replacement in the centre of defence.

Jurgen Klopp was without Trent Alexander-Arnold, so Nathaniel Clyne filled in at right back. Fabinho and Naby Keita also found themselves thrust into the game after struggling to fully settle in since the summer.

The Reds started the game on top, attempting to coax Manchester United into a mistake to capitalise on. The free-flowing movement of Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah causing the United defence all kinds of issues.

Liverpool finally got the breakthrough they deserve on 24 minutes when Fabinho delicately chipped the ball behind the defence for Sadio Mane to take down on his chest and strike a left footed effort into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted less than ten minutes. Romelu Lukaku played in a cross which Alisson made a howler of, dropping the ball allowing Jesse Lingard to tap the ball home for an equaliser.

Klopp’s men continued to dominate the ball, Fabinho getting joy in the middle of the park, dictating play and allowing Keita to be the creative spark in the middle.

Early in the second half Marcus Rashford showed the fight and endeavour needed in a game of this magnitude. The England forward burst to the byline, but his cutback missed Lukaku and flashed straight across the face of Liverpool’s goal.

Firmino replied by going close himself, dancing around defenders in the penalty area and forcing David De Gea into a fantastic save, Ashley Young then put in a tremendous block as Keita looked to smash in the rebound from a tight angle.

Manchester United continued to hold the Liverpool attack off, Fellaini being used to combat the aerial threat whilst the defenders doubled up on Salah and Mane on either flank. 

The barrage continued as the hour mark hit, Liverpool had their 13th corner, whilst United failed to even earn one. 

Lingard wasted an opportunity to find one of Fellaini or Lukaku on the left hand side, but over hit the cross and it floated out of play. Whilst the United players looked bemused at Lingards attempt, Liverpool got the game underway and roamed forward. 

The ball was worked down the left hand side and De Gea made a save from a Salah attempt for the ball to fall to substitute Xherdan Shaqiri, who smashed the ball in off the crossbar to give Liverpool the lead.

Less than ten minutes had passed before Shaqiri struck again, killing the game off. Again De Gea was beaten by a deflection, this time from the edge of the box giving the Spanish shot-stopper no chance. 

United showed no desire to force their way back into the game, Lukaku a passenger for large parts.

Liverpool coasted through injury time, passing the ball around midfield to ensure all three points were staying at Anfield.

Klopp’s side regained their lead at the top of the table, overtaking Manchester City. Meanwhile Manchester United stay in sixth place, now 11 points off the Champions League places.

Next up for Liverpool is a trip to Wolves, whilst Manchester United travel to Cardiff.