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)
3 minutes
Manchester United clear it relatively comfortably and Marcus Rashford shows his pace, stretching Naby Keita and drawing a foul wide on the left.
Ashley Young to deliver...
4 minutes
And Young's ball flies into the far corner, but the flag is up!
Romelu Lukaku was clearly offside but had a wild waft at the at the ball nonetheless, and though he makes no contact is correctly flagged for offside, thus Alisson is not too concerned as he retrieves the ball from his bottom corner.
5 minutes
Lively start.
Liverpool win another corner and this is better directed, Roberto Firmino leaping well but not quite getting enough purchase on the header to direct it goalwards.
6 minutes
Another effort from the home side.
David De Gea gets down well to save low to his left, a firm left-hand repelling Roberto Firmino's driven 25-yarder.
His defenders just about prevent Mohamed Salah from firing home the rebound.
8 minutes
Marcus Rashford tries his luck from distance, and his shot is dipping, though that only takes it into Alisson's midriff.
Both sides with early efforts on goal.
9 minutes
Victor Lindelof foolishly tries to stride out of defence and is robbed by Sadio Mane.
Mane threads a pass through to Mohamed Salah but for once the Egyptian looks unsure in front of goal, failing to get an effort away as he loses control of the ball.
Fabinho's low shot is just touched by David De Gea despite it's path already taking it beyond the post. Corner...
10 minutes
Hectic.
Ashley Young is well-placed on the line to keep out a ricochet.
Virgil Van Djik then fires against a clutch of Manchester United legs.
12 minutes
This game is being played at furious pace, which is suiting Liverpool so far.
Manchester United look vulnerable defensively as Sadio Mane runs at them after another poor giveaway from Ander Herrera in midfield, but Mane neither shoots nor passes as he enters the box and the visitors manage to clear once more.
14 minutes
Eric Bailly is forced into a flying header as Naby Keita looks for an ambitious one-two with Sadio Mane, and David De Gea safely watches the resulting 25-yard shot over his crossbar.
15 minutes
All of Liverpool's play is coming down their right. Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all have a rightward slant and are overwhelming Victor Lindelof and Ashley Young in the wider confines.
No goals to show for their dominance, yet, but Liverpool certainly on top.
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