Articles
Jurgen Klopp's slick, cohesive and unified juggernaut blows away United
James Pearce runs the definitive rule over Liverpool's victory against Manchester United
By James Pearce
Christmas came early at Anfield.
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League tree in the best possible fashion by humbling their arch rivals.
Jose Mourinho has made a habit of spoiling the party in recent years but not this time. Not even close.
The scoreline massively flattered Manchester United. But for the heroics of David de Gea and the wobble the Reds endured after Alisson Becker's howler enabled Jesse Lingard to cancel out Sadio Mane's opener, this would have been an absolute annihilation.
The gulf in class was immense as Jurgen Klopp savoured securing the league scalp of United for the first time.
Follow the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League HERE
These are two clubs heading in very different directions. The contrast could hardly be greater.
The ambition, the pace, the quality, the work ethic and the spirit of Klopp's Liverpool against a United side lacking in all those departments. A slick, cohesive, unified force against a rudderless mess.
The tables have well and truly been turned – underlined by the 19-point gap that now separates Klopp's title contenders from Mourinho's expensively assembled also-rans.
Mourinho, who hadn't tasted defeat at Anfield since 2007, tried to park the bus, but this time it got blown away by the Liverpool juggernaut.
The unbeaten Reds, enjoying the best start to a top-flight season in the club's history, had an eye-watering 36 attempts on goal to United's six. Ultimately, Kopites were indebted to their little Swiss magician who came bearing gifts.
Xherdan Shaqiri deservedly basked in the glory of being Liverpool's match-winner after making a remarkable impact off the bench. He struck twice in the space of seven minutes to wreck United's grim attempts to cling on for a point.
How ironic that Mourinho, the master of deflection, was undone by exactly that as Shaqiri got a helping hand firstly from Ashley Young and then Eric Bailly.
It's laughable when the Portuguese coach moans about Klopp's spending. The fact is that Liverpool have simply been a great deal smarter with their recruitment.
Shaqiri has to be the bargain of 2018. He's a £13million gem. He knew this was his final shot at a truly elite club after three years in the wilderness at Stoke and he has grasped it.
While Shaqiri lit the place up, £90million man Paul Pogba wasn't even trusted with a cameo role.
A hectic December was always going to be pivotal for Liverpool and so far it's gone like a dream.
Five games, five wins, including a last-gasp derby victory over Everton, a thrilling Champions League triumph against Napoli and now embarrassing United. Momentum continues to grow.
The depth of Klopp's squad has been crucial. Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner have picked up injuries but others have stepped up and delivered.
Klopp had urged his players to be “angry” and they flew out of the traps like they had a score to settle with United.
The opening half hour was a mismatch. Liverpool played with a tempo and an intensity that United couldn't live with.
Roberto Firmino's low drive was pushed out by De Gea, who then tipped behind Fabinho's strike from the edge of the box.
United's game plan consisted of getting men behind the ball, trying to slow the contest down at every turn and then lumping it long in the direction of Romelu Lukaku.
The Kop roared when the commanding Virgil van Dijk shrugged off Lukaku like he was swatting an annoying wasp.
The return of Fabinho and Naby Keita gave Liverpool energy and dynamism in midfield as United continued to get over-run. As the Reds hassled and harried, United repeatedly coughed up possession with Victor Lindelof a glaring weak link.
Fabinho was outstanding, flying into tackles, winning it back and then using the ball intelligently. After a slow start to the season, the £43million Brazilian is now showing exactly why Klopp was so keen to bring him to Anfield.
Fellow countryman Firmino also excelled as he occupied defenders and provided a real focal point for wave after wave of attacks.
Finally, midway through the first half the pressure told. Andy Robertson and Firmino were both involved before Fabinho spotted Mane's darting run.
His lofted pass was exquisite and Mane finished with aplomb – taking the ball on his chest and coolly volleying past De Gea.
Sadio Mane celebrates
Dejan Lovren had a golden chance to double the Reds' lead but he blazed over from close range.
From a position of complete control, Liverpool handed Mourinho's side an equaliser 12 minutes before the break.
Lukaku's cross looked harmless but Alisson made a hash of it and Lingard accepted the gift in front of the Kop.
Criticism of the Brazil No 1 will rightly be muted. He's been a revelation for Liverpool this season and is still well in credit after his contributions recently against Everton, Burnley and Napoli.
Goals change games and briefly Liverpool wobbled. The sense of injustice at having their lead wiped out knocked them out of their stride
But they regrouped and the second half was all about being patient and keeping their heads.
They were completely dominant attacking the Kop, but at times their decision making let them down as they unleashed a flurry of hopeful pot shots from long range.
Firmino did brilliantly to work his way into space and poke goalwards, only for De Gea to deny him at full stretch and Keita's effort from the rebound was blocked.
When United did break off the shackles, Robertson made a vital clearing header at the back post to stop Fellaini from connecting with Young's cross.
Gini Wijnaldum and Fabinho tested De Gea before Klopp called for reinforcements with Shaqiri replacing Keita.
With 17 minutes to go Anfield erupted. Mane tormented United down the left and his cross was turned away by De Gea. It dropped into the path of Shaqiri, whose right-footer deflected off Young and bounced in off the underside of the bar.
A first home league win over United since 2013 was wrapped up when Shaqiri's strike from the edge of the box flew in off Bailly. Talk about a game-changer.
'Don't sack Mourinho' echoed around the ground before the Kop broke into a rendition of 'Liverpool, top of the league'.
Belief is growing that they can stay there. These are heady days at Anfield.
Liverpool will keep ignoring Man City - despite 'nearly perfect' Manchester United victory
MATCH FACTS
Liverpool: Alisson, Clyne, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita (Shaqiri 70), Salah, Firmino, Mane (Henderson 84).
Not used: Mignolet, Sturridge, Moreno, Lallana, Camacho.
Manchester United: De Gea, Darmian, Bailly, Lindelof, Dalot (Fellaini 45), Matic, Herrera (Martial 79), Young, Lingard (Mata 85), Rashford, Lukaku.
Not used: Romero, Pogba, Valencia, Jones.
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 52,908
Goals: Mane 24, Lingard 33, Shaqiri 73, Shaqiri 80.
Bookings: Dalot, Lukaku.
By James Pearce
20:08, 16 DEC 2018
Christmas came early at Anfield.
Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League tree in the best possible fashion by humbling their arch rivals.
Jose Mourinho has made a habit of spoiling the party in recent years but not this time. Not even close.
The scoreline massively flattered Manchester United. But for the heroics of David de Gea and the wobble the Reds endured after Alisson Becker's howler enabled Jesse Lingard to cancel out Sadio Mane's opener, this would have been an absolute annihilation.
The gulf in class was immense as Jurgen Klopp savoured securing the league scalp of United for the first time.
Follow the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League HERE
These are two clubs heading in very different directions. The contrast could hardly be greater.
The ambition, the pace, the quality, the work ethic and the spirit of Klopp's Liverpool against a United side lacking in all those departments. A slick, cohesive, unified force against a rudderless mess.
The tables have well and truly been turned – underlined by the 19-point gap that now separates Klopp's title contenders from Mourinho's expensively assembled also-rans.
Mourinho, who hadn't tasted defeat at Anfield since 2007, tried to park the bus, but this time it got blown away by the Liverpool juggernaut.
The unbeaten Reds, enjoying the best start to a top-flight season in the club's history, had an eye-watering 36 attempts on goal to United's six. Ultimately, Kopites were indebted to their little Swiss magician who came bearing gifts.
Xherdan Shaqiri deservedly basked in the glory of being Liverpool's match-winner after making a remarkable impact off the bench. He struck twice in the space of seven minutes to wreck United's grim attempts to cling on for a point.
How ironic that Mourinho, the master of deflection, was undone by exactly that as Shaqiri got a helping hand firstly from Ashley Young and then Eric Bailly.
It's laughable when the Portuguese coach moans about Klopp's spending. The fact is that Liverpool have simply been a great deal smarter with their recruitment.
Shaqiri has to be the bargain of 2018. He's a £13million gem. He knew this was his final shot at a truly elite club after three years in the wilderness at Stoke and he has grasped it.
While Shaqiri lit the place up, £90million man Paul Pogba wasn't even trusted with a cameo role.
A hectic December was always going to be pivotal for Liverpool and so far it's gone like a dream.
Five games, five wins, including a last-gasp derby victory over Everton, a thrilling Champions League triumph against Napoli and now embarrassing United. Momentum continues to grow.
The depth of Klopp's squad has been crucial. Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner have picked up injuries but others have stepped up and delivered.
Fabinho was the best player on the pitch against United as he bossed the midfield and Nathaniel Clyne could hold his head high after making his first Premier League start since May.
Klopp had urged his players to be “angry” and they flew out of the traps like they had a score to settle with United.
The opening half hour was a mismatch. Liverpool played with a tempo and an intensity that United couldn't live with.
Roberto Firmino's low drive was pushed out by De Gea, who then tipped behind Fabinho's strike from the edge of the box.
United's game plan consisted of getting men behind the ball, trying to slow the contest down at every turn and then lumping it long in the direction of Romelu Lukaku.
The Kop roared when the commanding Virgil van Dijk shrugged off Lukaku like he was swatting an annoying wasp.
The return of Fabinho and Naby Keita gave Liverpool energy and dynamism in midfield as United continued to get over-run. As the Reds hassled and harried, United repeatedly coughed up possession with Victor Lindelof a glaring weak link.
Fabinho was outstanding, flying into tackles, winning it back and then using the ball intelligently. After a slow start to the season, the £43million Brazilian is now showing exactly why Klopp was so keen to bring him to Anfield.
Fellow countryman Firmino also excelled as he occupied defenders and provided a real focal point for wave after wave of attacks.
Finally, midway through the first half the pressure told. Andy Robertson and Firmino were both involved before Fabinho spotted Mane's darting run.
His lofted pass was exquisite and Mane finished with aplomb – taking the ball on his chest and coolly volleying past De Gea.
Sadio Mane celebrates
Dejan Lovren had a golden chance to double the Reds' lead but he blazed over from close range.
From a position of complete control, Liverpool handed Mourinho's side an equaliser 12 minutes before the break.
Lukaku's cross looked harmless but Alisson made a hash of it and Lingard accepted the gift in front of the Kop.
Criticism of the Brazil No 1 will rightly be muted. He's been a revelation for Liverpool this season and is still well in credit after his contributions recently against Everton, Burnley and Napoli.
Goals change games and briefly Liverpool wobbled. The sense of injustice at having their lead wiped out knocked them out of their stride
But they regrouped and the second half was all about being patient and keeping their heads.
They were completely dominant attacking the Kop, but at times their decision making let them down as they unleashed a flurry of hopeful pot shots from long range.
Firmino did brilliantly to work his way into space and poke goalwards, only for De Gea to deny him at full stretch and Keita's effort from the rebound was blocked.
When United did break off the shackles, Robertson made a vital clearing header at the back post to stop Fellaini from connecting with Young's cross.
Gini Wijnaldum and Fabinho tested De Gea before Klopp called for reinforcements with Shaqiri replacing Keita.
With 17 minutes to go Anfield erupted. Mane tormented United down the left and his cross was turned away by De Gea. It dropped into the path of Shaqiri, whose right-footer deflected off Young and bounced in off the underside of the bar.
A first home league win over United since 2013 was wrapped up when Shaqiri's strike from the edge of the box flew in off Bailly. Talk about a game-changer.
'Don't sack Mourinho' echoed around the ground before the Kop broke into a rendition of 'Liverpool, top of the league'.
Belief is growing that they can stay there. These are heady days at Anfield.
Liverpool will keep ignoring Man City - despite 'nearly perfect' Manchester United victory
MATCH FACTS
Liverpool: Alisson, Clyne, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita (Shaqiri 70), Salah, Firmino, Mane (Henderson 84).
Not used: Mignolet, Sturridge, Moreno, Lallana, Camacho.
Manchester United: De Gea, Darmian, Bailly, Lindelof, Dalot (Fellaini 45), Matic, Herrera (Martial 79), Young, Lingard (Mata 85), Rashford, Lukaku.
Not used: Romero, Pogba, Valencia, Jones.
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 52,908
Goals: Mane 24, Lingard 33, Shaqiri 73, Shaqiri 80.
Bookings: Dalot, Lukaku.
Man of the match: Fabinho. Bossed the midfield.
Copyright - Liverpool Echo
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Liverpool player ratings vs Manchester United as Xherdan Shaqiri impact builds on Fabinho's foundations
The ratings after an incredible 3-1 Liverpool win over Manchester United
By Ian Doyle
Liverpool continued their best start to a season with a comprehensive dismissal of Manchester United on Sunday.
Xherdan Shaqiri came off the bench to score twice late on as the Reds turned their dominance into a 3-1 victory over their bitter North West rivals at Anfield.
Sadio Mane had earlier given Jurgen Klopp's side the lead only for Jesse Lingard to equalise before the interval.
Jurgen Klopp's side are now a point clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and are unbeaten after 17 games.
Alisson Becker 6
A little bit risky when in possession on occasion but the mistake for United's undeserved equaliser was a horror show. Didn't let it affect him, and was solid second half.
Nathaniel Clyne 7
Impressively full of energy on his first Premier League start since May, enjoyed his tussle with Rashford and kept on offering an overlap. That he lasted 90 minutes was some effort.
Virgil van Dijk 8
Refused to be outmuscled by the lumbering Lukaku, the skipper marshalled his troops well. Will be disappointed with some of the set-pieces from his team-mates, though.
Dejan Lovren 7
No-nonsense from the Croat, who was happy to belt it clear when required. But some of his passing was erratic and should have made it 2-0.
Andy Robertson 7
An outlet as ever, but his deliveries from set-pieces weren't consistent enough. Underlined his often overlooked defensive nous with two fine interceptions after the interval.
Fabinho 9
Even better than against Everton. Ran the show in midfield, dominated United, tidied up and drove Liverpool on, and even popped up with a sublime assist for Mane. Brilliant.
Gini Wijnaldum 7
Strong in a couple of challenges first half, his ability to read the play was crucial on occasion. Busy and simply kept on taking the game to United.
Sadio Mane celebrates
Sadio Mane 8
On the right wing but so often central, he was given space to sprint at the United defence and took his goal brilliantly, and continued to threaten second half and assisted the second.
Roberto Firmino 8
Such a lively show from the Brazilian, buzzing with intent, harassing opponents and creating chances. Played a part in the opener, too. The Firmino we know and love, and playing in behind Salah too.
Naby Keita 7
Ostensibly on the left but drifted inside whenever he could, the Guinean's dynamism helped Liverpool control midfield. A little more patience around the box was required, however.
Mohamed Salah 7
United recognised his danger and kept him under a close watch, but the Egyptian never stopped working and it made space in which others capitalised.
Xherdan Shaqiri (for Keita 70) 9
His two goals turned the game just when it looked like Liverpool had ran out of ideas. All hail the power cube. What an impact.
Jordan Henderson (for Mane 84)
His middle name is Brian.
The ratings after an incredible 3-1 Liverpool win over Manchester United
By Ian Doyle
Liverpool continued their best start to a season with a comprehensive dismissal of Manchester United on Sunday.
Xherdan Shaqiri came off the bench to score twice late on as the Reds turned their dominance into a 3-1 victory over their bitter North West rivals at Anfield.
Sadio Mane had earlier given Jurgen Klopp's side the lead only for Jesse Lingard to equalise before the interval.
Jurgen Klopp's side are now a point clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table and are unbeaten after 17 games.
Alisson Becker 6
A little bit risky when in possession on occasion but the mistake for United's undeserved equaliser was a horror show. Didn't let it affect him, and was solid second half.
Nathaniel Clyne 7
Impressively full of energy on his first Premier League start since May, enjoyed his tussle with Rashford and kept on offering an overlap. That he lasted 90 minutes was some effort.
Virgil van Dijk 8
Refused to be outmuscled by the lumbering Lukaku, the skipper marshalled his troops well. Will be disappointed with some of the set-pieces from his team-mates, though.
Dejan Lovren 7
No-nonsense from the Croat, who was happy to belt it clear when required. But some of his passing was erratic and should have made it 2-0.
Andy Robertson 7
An outlet as ever, but his deliveries from set-pieces weren't consistent enough. Underlined his often overlooked defensive nous with two fine interceptions after the interval.
Fabinho 9
Even better than against Everton. Ran the show in midfield, dominated United, tidied up and drove Liverpool on, and even popped up with a sublime assist for Mane. Brilliant.
Gini Wijnaldum 7
Strong in a couple of challenges first half, his ability to read the play was crucial on occasion. Busy and simply kept on taking the game to United.
Sadio Mane celebrates
Sadio Mane 8
On the right wing but so often central, he was given space to sprint at the United defence and took his goal brilliantly, and continued to threaten second half and assisted the second.
Roberto Firmino 8
Such a lively show from the Brazilian, buzzing with intent, harassing opponents and creating chances. Played a part in the opener, too. The Firmino we know and love, and playing in behind Salah too.
Naby Keita 7
Ostensibly on the left but drifted inside whenever he could, the Guinean's dynamism helped Liverpool control midfield. A little more patience around the box was required, however.
Mohamed Salah 7
United recognised his danger and kept him under a close watch, but the Egyptian never stopped working and it made space in which others capitalised.
Xherdan Shaqiri (for Keita 70) 9
His two goals turned the game just when it looked like Liverpool had ran out of ideas. All hail the power cube. What an impact.
Jordan Henderson (for Mane 84)
His middle name is Brian.
