A second-half double from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri helped Liverpool secure a 3-1 victory over bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield.
Sadio Mane gave the Reds the lead but Jesse Lingard’s strike cancelled their lead out.
But two deflected efforts from Shaqiri saw Liverpool secure the win and regain their place at the top of the Premier League table.
The hosts were on top in the first 30 minutes as the game made a frenetic start.
Although it was United who had the goal in the net first, but Ashley Young’s free-kick was disallowed because Romelu Lukaku was stood in an offside position.
Moments later, Roberto Firmino’s low effort was well saved by David de Gea and Victor Lindelof did well to get his foot in the way of the rebound
Liverpool continued to apply the pressure and got a deserved lead on 24 minutes when Mane chested down Fabinho’s lovely clipped ball before volleying past the onrushing De Gea.
Dejan Lovren could have doubled their lead three minutes later but the defender blazed the ball wide following a goalmouth scramble.
And the visitors got level on 33 minutes when Lingard reacted first to Alisson spilling Lukaku’s cross from the left to silence the previously boisterous Anfield crowd – making it 1-1 at half-time.
The second-half saw the hosts take the game by the scruff of the neck and De Gea stopped Firmino’s toe poke and Young blocked Naby Keita’s rebound.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had most of the possession but nearly fell behind on 64 minutes when substitute Marouane Fellaini was racing onto a cross from the left but Andy Robertson made a vital interception.
The game started to drift and Klopp hauled on Shaqiri for Keita 20 minutes from time and the Swiss international made an immediate impact by restoring Liverpool’s advantage.
Mane brilliantly beat Ander Herrera on the left and his low cross pinballed around the box, Shaqiri reacted first and his right-footed effort went in-off the bar after taking a big deflection off Young.
It was Jose Mourinho’s turn to twist as he brought striker Anthony Martial on for Ander Herrera as United searched for the equaliser.
But it would be Shaqiri who scored next after latching onto a loose ball on the edge of the box – his effort taking another big deflection, this time off Eric Bailly to give De Gea no chance and secure Liverpool’s first league win over United since March 2014.
–
Source: talkSPORT
