Premier League
Shaqiri Helps Liverpool Defeat United
Two deflected goals from Xherdan Shaqiri helped Liverpool move back to the top of the Premier League as they defeated bitter rivals Manchester United at Anfield.
Saido Mane opened the scoring for Liverpool midway through the first half. Just nine minutes later Manchester United stunned Anfield as a mistake from Liverpool keeper Alisson allowed Jesse Lingard to score.
However, two deflected strikes from Xherdan Shaqiri, who came on as a substitute in the second half, helped seal a deserved victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The win lifts them back to the top of the Premier League, a point clear of Manchester City.
For United, the defeat means it is their worst start to a Premier League season ever.
Liverpool Dominance
Liverpool were by far the most threatening of the two sides in the opening stages.
On six minutes, a shot by Roberto Firmino forced David de Gea into a decent save.
It was a frantic start to the game, played at a breathtaking pace.
Manchester United’s defence was looking nervous and were giving the ball away too cheaply on too many occasions.
Liverpool got their deserved breakthrough on 24 minutes. A brilliant clipped ball from Fabinho found Saido Mane inside the penalty area.
The Senegalese international then controlled the ball brilliantly with his chest and then fired a left foot shot beyond David de Gea and into the net.
On 33 minutes, Anfield was stunned into silence as Manchester United levelled against the run of play.
Romelu Lukaku played a cross into the box, it looked to be an easy catch for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
However, the Brazilian allowed the ball to slip out of his hands and landed straight to Jesse Lingard. The English winger then lifted the ball into the net.
United’s goal seemed to disrupt Liverpool’s attacking momentum towards the end of the first half.
Shaqiri Makes Instant Impact
Liverpool started the second half brightly. On 52 minutes, Roberto Firmino picked the ball up inside the penalty area. The Brazilian did brilliantly to get away from three United defenders to get a shot away and forced David de Gea into a fine save.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were pinning United back, with the Old Trafford side struggling to get forward.
Despite Liverpool’s pressure at the start of the second half, most of their efforts were from long distance.
Klopp brought on Xherdan Shaqiri for Naby Keita as Liverpool pushed for the winner.
The Swiss international made an instant impact after 72 minutes.
Saido Mane skipped past Ander Herrera, his shot deflected off Victor Lindelof and was well saved by David de Gea in the United goal.
The rebound fell to Shaqiri who fired a shot towards goal, it deflected off Ashley Young and hit the underside of the bar and into the net.
Eight minutes later, Liverpool sealed all three points. Xherdan Shaqiri picked the ball up just outside the box, he unleashed a shot which deflected off Eric Bailly and into the net.
Overall Liverpool throughly deserved the victory. Meanwhile, United were devoid of ideas throughout and it was another performance and result which heaps the pressure on Jose Mourinho.
Shaqiri Comes To The Fore
The biggest improvement that Liverpool have made this season is the strength of their squad.
Despite having so many attacking players, Jurgen Klopp still went out to sign Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer.
He has had a good season so far but his two goals against Manchester United in the second half, could prove to be priceless come the end of the season.
Midway through the second half, Liverpool looked devoid of ideas and were restricted to long range shots.
Jurgen Klopp decided to make an attacking change by bringing Shaqiri on for Naby Keita. Perhaps in past seasons Liverpool would have been happy with a point.
However, with the title race so close between themselves and Manchester City, every game is a must win.
Yes, Shaqiri got lucky, as both shots took wicked deflections, but on the balance of play Liverpool deserved their victory.
There is a long way to go in the title race and Liverpool will know it will take a huge effort to dislodge Manchester City as Premier League champions.
This is the best squad that Liverpool have had for over 20 years and will be their best chance to become English champions once again.
Manchester United Midfield A Joke
What can you say about Manchester United’s midfield performance at Anfield.
Absymal, shocking, poor and disgraceful are all words that come to mind.
For a team like Manchester United not too have one single midfielder who can play a pass, keep the ball, disrupt play and control the game is quite shocking.
Too many times Liverpool bypassed United’s midfield with so much ease. On the rare occasions that Jose Mourinho’s men had the ball, there was no invention and nobody who could play a through pass to Romelu Lukaku.
A lot of talk has been made about Manchester United’s defensive woes, but their midfield is just as bad.
Mourinho left out Paul Pogba for the match against Liverpool and it was hard to argue that he should be in the starting line-up as he has been poor for a number of weeks.
Something has to be done. Either sack Mourinho or back him in January.
The quality in Manchester United’s squad is the worst it has been since the late 1980s.
If the board don’t do something soon then Manchester United’s wait for another Premier League title could be decades.
Next up for Liverpool is Wolves away on Friday night.
For United, they face Cardiff away on Saturday night.
Photo credit to wijaya kusuma via Flickr
