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Xherdan Shaqiri off bench for deflected double as Liverpool defeat Jose's pitiful Pogba-free United

Sub: Shaqiri came off the bench to bag a somewhat fortunate brace - AFP
Sub: Shaqiri came off the bench to bag a somewhat fortunate brace - AFP

There was nothing lucky about this win for Liverpool. Jose Mourinho had made his pre-match jibe but Jürgen Klopp had the perfect riposte, with Liverpool returning to the top of the Premier League through two second-half goals from Anfield’s new super-sub, Xherdan Shaqiri.

After 17 games, it also means Liverpool are 19 points ahead of sixth-placed United who, surely, have little hope now of even finishing in the top four. It is that much of an embarrassing shambles for them.

Mourinho later marvelled at ­Liverpool’s “200 miles per hour” approach and also made some usual barbed comments, suggesting that United had not recruited as smartly as their opponents and, well, what can he do after inheriting a bunch of injury-prone crocks? But this ­really does not wash. His team, meanwhile, were rinsed. “They are a better team than us,” Mourinho concluded. He is not wrong.

If Liverpool were 200 miles per hour, then all Mourinho appeared to want to do was slow it down. ­Instead, United stalled.

Outrun, outplayed, outfought, outthought. United brought on ­Marouane Fellaini – whose most noticeable contribution was to shoot so waywardly he took out a steward on the other side of the pitch – instead of Paul Pogba who stayed on the substitutes’ bench, while Liverpool turned to Shaqiri.

Both of his goals were deflected but there was nothing fortunate about the result – after Mourinho had bizarrely claimed Liverpool were the “lucky ones” with some of their late recent wins. But Liverpool make their own luck because they try to win; they keep going. United simply try to hang on and that is just not good enough. So, they deservedly slipped to a fifth league defeat of the season.

Mourinho and the United bench - Credit: Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Jose Mourinho can hardly bear to watch Credit: Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

It is desperate, there is no other word for it, and it is surely only a matter of time now before Mourinho goes. It is heading one way for him, while Liverpool are going in a completely different direction.

The contrast is stark, indisputable and emphatic. United craved a performance even more than a ­result and got neither and, as every club who have ever employed Mourinho will testify, once the ­results go, there is not a lot left.

He can have no complaint as he admitted his team could not match the intensity of their opponents. This is Manchester United and here is their manager talking about struggling to cope. The self-flagellation from their supporters began long before the final whistle and long afterwards as United were pulled apart by the pundits just as they were by Liverpool out on the pitch.

Klopp hailed the first half-hour as just about the best he has achieved at Liverpool and that was probably right. What is so ­delightful for him is that he can change his midfield, bringing in Naby Keita and Fabinho, and rest others, such as captain Jordan Henderson, after the Champions League efforts of midweek in defeating Napoli. And it appears seamless.

Fabinho was simply outstanding. This was easily the Brazilian’s best game since joining Liverpool last summer, while Virgil van Dijk ­utterly dominated Romelu Lukaku, and Nathaniel Clyne came in after his long injury absence, to perform with assurance at right-back.

Liverpool played at a different pace, a different intensity, a different level to United. They recorded 36 shots – the most, according to Opta, that United have ever faced in a Premier League game – and nine of those came in a devastating 20-minute opening blitz.

Jesse Lingard of Manchester United scores his team's first goal past Alisson of Liverpool - Credit: Getty
Alisson, Liverpool's hero in midweek, was at fault for the goal Credit: Getty

It was certainly no surprise when they scored. As fine a finish as it was from Sadio Mane, as deft a chip as it was from Fabinho to find him, it also owed much to some appalling defending. No United player was close to Fabinho as he collected possession from Roberto Firmino with Ashley Young then failing to track Mane’s run as the forward chested the ball down to volley ­between David de Gea’s legs.

United were desperate, were in disarray, but drew level. It was a move which was instigated and ended by Jesse Lingard, but owed its execution to a dreadful mistake by Alisson Becker, the hero just a few days ago for his vital injury-time save against Napoli that kept Liverpool in the Champions League. Such is football. Lingard exchanged passes with Ander Herrera and pushed the ball wide to ­Lukaku, whose low cross appeared routine, only for Alisson to spill it, with his knee knocking the ball out of his hands. Lingard, having ­continued his run, slid in and steered the ball into the net. Alisson stood staring at his gloves, cursing.

Could United take advantage? Liverpool were thrown and Mourinho, having lost Chris Smalling to an injury in the warm-up, ­abandoned his system at half-time – it had emphatically not worked – with Fellaini replacing Diogo Dalot as he reverted from a back three to a back four.

Sadio Mane scores Liverpool's first goal - Credit: Action Images via Reuters 
Bright star: Sadio Mane scores Liverpool's first goal Credit: Action Images via Reuters

It made no difference. It became even more a contest of attack against defence, with United ­defending ever deeper in their own penalty area. They threw their ­bodies on the line and – here is the crucial point – when you are reduced to such desperate measures, so close to your own goal, there is always the danger of a deflection.

Liverpool profited from two, but both goals came from almost ­intolerable pressure, with the first also offering a positive for Alisson, and the type of goalkeeper he is, as he started the move by playing the ball calmly out of defence, with Georginio Wijnaldum eventually switching play.

Suddenly, Mane had worked his way to the byline with De Gea kicking out his low cross only for it to run to Shaqiri, whose first-time shot deflected up off Young, ­rebounding off the crossbar and over the line.

United were also on the ­back-foot for Shaqiri’s second strike as he ran forward and played the ball in to Firmino who attempted a square pass to Mohamed Salah. 

Instead it ran back to Shaqiri whose powerful side-footed shot from the area’s edge ricocheted off Eric Bailly and beyond De Gea.

It meant that United have ­conceded 29 goals from 17 league games – one more than they did in their entire campaign last season. Liverpool, brushing aside the loss of Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Milner and Joel Matip, have conceded just seven.

Two deflections and for all of Mourinho’s deflection tactics, and his highly optimistic claim that United will still finish top four, the result was a fair reflection of the gulf between these two teams. There was never any chance of United getting back into this, while Liverpool remain undefeated and are way off in the distance.

 

5:53PM

Full time: Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1

Mourinho no doubt will be singing the blues about deflections, but Liverpool deserved their win, and United got what they deserved: naff all. Report to follow, and then I will be moving on to our blog of Sports Personality of the Year.

I don't expect Mourinho to figure.

Here is Jose Mourinho with his post-match quotes to Sky Sports: "goals came at a difficult period. We could not cope with their fantastic intensity in the first 20 but then we were in the game and quite calm.

"They were frustrated, their centre backs were shooting from 30 metres. And I thought we can win this, even if it would be a bit undeserved.

"Their keeper made half a mistake for the goal but if you want to talk about fortune then there was their two goals.

"Of course we cannot win the Title, I cannot fix that. We can still finish fourth. For sure we are going to finish in the top six like all the other historic teams, but the best we can hope for is fourth."

Shreeves asks him if the players are giving 100% for him.

"Are you calling my players dishonest? I believe they are honest, you believe they are dishonest. A footballer has to give maximum every match, every minute, he owes that to the club that pays him and the fans that are in love 24 hours a day with the club. It does not matter who the manager is. I believe that is what a professional footballer does and I don't think they are dishonest.

"Liverpool is a better team, we cannot compare their intensity and physicality. They are a better team than us. But we had as many chances as them."

Keane: "I believe the players are doing their best and are trying but some of them are not good enough for United. Now they have to concentrate on being a Cup team. Like Man United in the 80s!"

5:51PM

90+ mins: Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1   

United unable to get a toe-hold, Henderson and Salah the latest to try their luck, I can only assume that Liverpool have been told that De Gea is milky in the wet weather, but it matters not, because Martin Atkinson has blown the whistle and Liverpool's highly enjoyable afternoon is complete.

5:48PM

90 mins: Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1  

United, gutless and drifting, don't look remotely like getting back into this. Mourinho the mood hoover has done an absolute number on them.

5:46PM

86 mins: Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1 

Camera operator /broadcast  director thoroughly enjoying Paul Pogba, who is getting plenty of screen time. Just produced an eye-roll that a 13-year-old girl would have been proud of.

5:45PM

Shot through the heart

5:43PM

85 mins: Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1

Juan Mata, who perhaps deserves better, comes on. Lingard the man who makes way.

5:42PM

84 mins: Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1                

Fellaini receives the ball, and tries an effort from the diagonal that nearly injures the linesman on the far side. Dear me.

5:41PM

83 mins: Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1               

Mane comes off to cheers. Jordan Henderson.

5:39PM

GOAL! Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1 (Shaqiri 81)

Another one for the sub, another deflection. Sure, a bit of good fortune, but the Swiss has made the difference since coming on. He's got the nous to try and work between the lines, play little balls on the edge of the box, not just welly it at the goalie. 

And so here. He plays a one-two with Roberto F, Shaqiri gathers, he hits an effort and it is deflected to give DDG no chance.

5:37PM

78 mins: Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1              

Another change for United. Martial on for Herrera. Rashford goes central. 

Wijnaldum's had another iffy shot.

5:36PM

Robbie Savage on the BBC for that goal

Ashley Young should get out to him quick, he turns his back. You've got the armband on, be stronger, throw yourself in front of it

5:32PM

75 mins: Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1             

Tipping it down there. The Scousers don't mind. Paul Pogba looks like he's having a lovely time.

Paul Pogba - Credit: Sky Sports
Paul Pogba Credit: Sky Sports

5:31PM

GOAL! Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1 (Shaqiri 72)

He's done it. Good move from Liverpool, but the marking from United leaves a lot to be desired.

Mane gets the better of Herrera on the left, all of the United men are drawn to Salah like moths to a flame, but it evades everyone.

Shaqiri pounces and crushes the shot at goal. Looks to take a deflection off Young but either way, no chance for the keeper and nicely placed.

Man United marking for the goal was weak - Credit: Sky
Man United marking for the goal was weak Credit: Sky

5:29PM

71 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1            

Lingard manages to get down the flank, crosses, inaccurately. 

5:28PM

70 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1           

Liverpool: you're better than this. Fabinho the latest to have a dibble. Straight at the keeper.

Shaqiri for Keita. Maybe he can unlock something,

5:26PM

67 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1          

Wijnaldum the latest Liverpool man whose primary role is support or defence to get giddy and go for goal. Straight at the keeper. Peculiar rash of distance shooting today from the hosts.

5:22PM

64 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1         

United have a moment. Young skips free down the left, crosses: danger here, Marouane is arriving hot and heavy at the back post... BRILLIANT saving header from Andrew Robertson to just deny him.

United, palooka heavyweight though they may be, still carry a puncher's chance.

5:20PM

62 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1        

Said corners aren't causing too much problem by and large. But what's this: Virgil VD has been allowed to crack an effort from the back of the area. Blocked.

5:19PM

60 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1       

But the dangerous Salah is left unattended, and is given time to pick out a cross. DDG has to look lively.

Liverpool enjoy another couple of corners.

5:18PM

58 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1      

All the gear, no idea from the hosts at the moment. A lengthy, anaemic spell of possession ends with a centre half, Lovren, thwonking one from distance.

5:14PM

55 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1     

Clyne with a hopeful effort that balloons behind for a corner - Liverpool's eighth. It is half cleared to, er, Clyne, who tries another attempt, this one even more speculative. 

Klopp is up and yelling. I think "Patsy, stop shooting" is the gist. 

5:10PM

52 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1    

Firmino with a wonderful bit of close control, he's managed to wriggle through four United players in the space of a phonebox, he stabs a shot at goal and it takes a superb diving stop from DDG to keep the Reds on terms.

Delay while Bailly is treated. Got a whack in the back I think.

5:07PM

50 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1   

Herrera stops Salah, unfairly in the view of Yorkshire whistler Atkinson. Liverpool have a handy freekick.

Robertson plays it in. Firmino nods it down, but to nobody.

5:06PM

49 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1  

Salah has a half opportunity but cannot get the ball into the right position for the shot. Young is limping. Liverpool piling it on now, a lot of pressure.

5:04PM

47 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1 

Liverpool the first to attempt football, Mane and Salah linking attractively. Now Mane has a chance to play Clyne in on the overlap, but overhits it.

Rashford gets down his flank but again not a lot happens.

5:03PM

46 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1

The second half begins with an aerial battering, both sides pumping the ball.

5:02PM

Jesse's clothing range

is called "J Lingz". I can feel Keano's withering contempt from here.

5:01PM

Gie it to the big man

My man Marouane Fellaini is being readied on the sidelines, and he will come on to replace the pointless Dalot.

Another kick in the swingers for Paul P.

4:59PM

Too much of a good thing?

4:54PM

Souey's furious

Keano's less furious.

I mean, like relatively speaking. He's pretty furious. "Young is not up to it defensively."

It's true that a back five with Young and Lindelof in it is always going to struggle, I would have thought.

4:47PM

Half time: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1

United are on terms, by hook or by crook.

4:46PM

45 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1

Late, late offside flag here about Mane. He was through.

Mane so nearly through - Credit: Sky
Mane so nearly through Credit: Sky

4:45PM

44 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1    

44 minutes on the clock, Liverpool have a corner, but the admirable Roberston cannot deliver (not for the first time in this game)

4:42PM

41 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1   

Herrera drives forward and hits a hopeful one. Seemed to wobble a touch in the air, on my viewing at least, but Alisson gets in behind that well enough. Oh, I think it got a deflection actually.

4:40PM

39 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1  

Bit of a flare up as Lukaku loses the ball, lunges to get it, Keita also not in control as he goes for it. Looks a bit of a foot up from both guys, both of whom hurt themselves in the process. Both lunging for the ball, fair and sqaure.

Only Lukaku gets the yellow.

A second or two later Firmino halts a Rashford run via a cynical tackle. No booking.

Mourinho is having a moan, he's out of his chair. Loath as I am, I have to sympathise.

4:38PM

38 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1 

Alisson lost the ball at that cross, just literally slipped through his hands (it had started raining a minute before). It was an error.

4:37PM

36 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1

Liverpool have time, it's opened up for them here. Mane curls one at goal, but it's straight at the keeper

4:35PM

GOAL! Liverpool 1 Manchester United 1 (Lingard 32)

Amazing. Clothing magnate Jesse Lingard has levelled it up, completely against the run of play. United manage to get down the left, a cross comes in from Lukaku, and Alisson Becker has made an individual blunder, palming a regulation gather straight at young Jesse. He tucks it away.

Gary Neville wonders if pressure has been heaped on Alisson by "people" saying he is on the same level as De Gea. Classic busy behaviour from Gurreh.

4:33PM

30 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0             

Liverpool have kept their boot on Mourinho's neck since the goal. Only four percent of the action in the last five minutes has been in the Liverpool final third.

4:30PM

28 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0            

Lindelof is not good enough to play for Man United. United going with a back three, or at least that's what I think that they are trying to do. It's Lindelof, Bailly, and Darmian versus Salah, Mane, and Firmino. It's a mismatch. 

4:27PM

26 mins: Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0           

Robertson is on the run, Dalot is pursuing him, and he has clipped him from behind. Clear yellow.

Robertson himself plays it in from the FK, Firmino keeps it alive, and Lovren has blazed it over from point-blank range.

4:26PM

GOAL! Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0 (Mane 24)

That's it! It is the goal they deserve on the balance of play, and it comes about due to a lapse of concentration from A Young. He's out of position, there is an opening for Fabinho. He plays a perfect chipped, clipped ball through, Mane gathers it and slots it away.

4:24PM

22 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0          

United have hauled themselves to something like parity in this, and the crowd are quieter than they first were. But Liverpool still the ones playing the football. They come at MUFC now, five runners, thrilling pace and verve and it looks like United are going to be undone. They just about half clear, but LFC are turning the screw again.

4:21PM

19 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0         

Clyne and Robertson both getting involved, the former joining attacks, the latter with a chance here to deliver a corner. Not a good one.

4:20PM

18 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0        

Relatively quiet! United managing to stem the tide a bit. 

4:15PM

13 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0       

Mane gets down the flank and centres for Firmino. No real threat in the shot. Now yet another effort from Firminho, but they're getting worse not better his efforts.

United are getting a bit of a beasting here, Liddypool are all over them.

4:14PM

11 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0      

Salah, and his adoring fans, want a pen when he goes down under pressure from Lindelof. Not for me Clive.

4:10PM

9 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0     

Game just needs a bit of quality, and surely here is the man to provide it: Salah surges into the box but then loses the ball under his feet. Manages to just about bundle it to Firminho, who hits a good 'un. De Gea denies him. Now a corner - and United have to clear off the line. Ashley Young their saviour, blocking it with his thigh or tummy. Frantic at Anfield!

4:08PM

8 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0    

It's passionate, frenetic stuff so far, end-to-end. Firmino and Rashford have both had decent efforts from the edge of the respective boxes.

4:05PM

5 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0   

Liverpool pressure leads to a corner, from which Firmino is able to find the space for a free-ish header. Might have done better. His goal record against these opponents is poor.

4:05PM

4 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0  

United have the ball in the net from a freekick, but Lukaku is some way offside. Young delivered it, I am not 100% if Lukaku got the final touch or not, but he was clearly interfering with play either way, so...

Lukaku in splendid isolation in the penalty area - Credit: Sky Sports
Lukaku in splendid isolation in the penalty area Credit: Sky Sports

4:03PM

2 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0 

First moment of excitement for a very passionate crowd is a run from Salah that draws the left side of the Man U defence infeld, opening up a space for the overlapping Firmino, who arrives like a steam train in the inside right position and hammers a shot at goal. Blocked.

4:00PM

1 mins: Liverpool 0 Manchester United 0

We are off and running, MUFC in their grey effort.

Liverpool: Alisson, Clyne, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson,  Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane. Subs:  Henderson, Sturridge, Moreno, Lallana, Mignolet, Shaqiri,  Camacho.

Man Utd: de Gea, Darmian, Bailly, Lindelof, Dalot,  Ander Herrera, Matic, Young, Lingard, Rashford, Lukaku. Subs:  Jones, Pogba, Mata, Martial, Romero, Valencia, Fellaini. 

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire) 

3:59PM

Excellent link

3:59PM

Manchester United side

Manchester United versus Liverpool - Credit: Sky
Manchester United versus Liverpool Credit: Sky

3:58PM

Liverpool side

Liverpool side to play MUFC - Credit: Sky
Liverpool side to play MUFC Credit: Sky

3:57PM

LATE CHANGE

3:49PM

Salah with the unusual hair

A fan in a Salah shirt  - Credit: Getty Images Europe 
A fan in a Salah shirt Credit: Getty Images Europe

3:46PM

Becky with the good hair

3:45PM

Keane and Souey

very much of a type as pundits. It's like a pair of old Testament prophets going at it, dueling Jeremiahs.

3:37PM

Poor old Poggers

3:31PM

Jamie Carragher on keepers

The Telegraph Sport columnist is very happy indeed with the man currently between the sticks at Anfield, so much so that he reckons that Alisson Beckeer is challenging his Man United opposite number to be the number one number one in the Premier League.

Alisson is now putting David de Gea's position as league's best under threat

Alisson during the warm up - Credit: Reuters
Alisson during the warm up Credit: Reuters

3:28PM

Are you of a betting persuasion?

If not, why not, why aren't you having a cheeky acca like a massive ledge and cashing out your edge, or something. Anyway, here it is: Liverpool are the shortest price to beat Manchester United since the Premier League started in 1992, and here are our betting offers

composite image of Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool (L) and Jose Mourinho, manager of Manchester United. - Credit: Getty
composite image of Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool (L) and Jose Mourinho, manager of Manchester United. Credit: Getty

 

3:09PM

Teams in  full

Liverpool: Alisson, Clyne, Lovren, van Dijk, Robertson,  Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane. Subs:  Henderson, Sturridge, Moreno, Lallana, Mignolet, Shaqiri,  Camacho. 

Man Utd: de Gea, Darmian, Smalling, Lindelof, Dalot, Lingard,  Matic, Ander Herrera, Young, Rashford, Lukaku. Subs: Bailly,  Pogba, Mata, Martial, Romero, Valencia, Fellaini. 

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire) 

Young fans outside Anfield - Credit: Action Images via Reuters
Young fans outside Anfield Credit: Action Images via Reuters

3:08PM

how bad could it get for Man United?

It might get worse before it gets better, you know. Our Manchester man James Ducker says that they might be acquainting themselves with a feeling that Liverpool fans know all too well: I'm talking title drought.

Manchester United facing up to the prospect of a title-starved spell - a feeling Liverpool know all too well

3:06PM

If you have Sky

Then perhaps you'll have seen that Roy Keane is on pundit detail this afternoon. He has used the opportunity, naturally enough, to have a pop.

Roy Keane: Paul Pogba has a bad  attitude and Jesse Lingard's clothes range proves Man Utd's weak mentality

3:05PM

Klopp says

that he wants Liverpool to be "angry".

"We fight for our points. We have to be angry on Sunday and we will be."

interesting choice of words. On paper, surely, it's United who are the side with lots to be angry about.

3:03PM

Paul Pogba

is not in the XI.

3:02PM

Here is the Manchester United side

Man United: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Smalling, Darmian, Young, Matic, Herrera, Lingard, Rashford, Lukaku

3:01PM

Here is the Liverpool side

Liverpool: Alisson, Clyne, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane.

2:58PM

Good afternoon

Another nail in the Jose Mourinho coffin or a chance to hit back at the critics by putting it up to Jurgen Klopp's impressive Liverpool side? Kick off is at 4pm, the team news is coming up any second now, and we will have live blog coverage, analysis and reaction throughout the afternoon.