Liverpool reclaimed their position at the top of the table today after they demolished their old rivals Manchester United in a feisty encounter at Anfield.
Sadio Mané opened the scoring with an exquisite finish in the 24th minute after a breakneck start from the home side. Fabinho showed exceptional vision from outside the box when he glided a pass into the path of Mané who effortlessly took the ball down on his chest before volleying it past the helpless David de Gea.
Liverpool dominated proceedings but United were gifted a reprieve in the 33rd minute when Alisson Becker spilled a tame cross into the path of Jesse Lingard who converted to level the sides.
The introduction of Fellaini in the second half saw United adopt a more familiar shape and they did well to stymie Liverpool’s attack until the 73rd minute when second half super sub Xherdan Shaqiri thumped the ball past de Gea after United failed to clear their lines.
Liverpool continued to test United’s dysfunctional defence and Shaqiri cropped up again in the 80th minute to hammer the ball into the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season.
A relentless, exhilarating and dominant performance from a Liverpool side who have stamped out their credentials as title contenders with today’s result.
The Shaqiri Show
The diminutive forward looked a bargain at £12m when Liverpool signed him from Stoke this summer. While some questioned his attitude during his spell at Stoke, Shaqiri has excelled under Klopp’s tutelage this season.
The introduction of Shaqiri in the closing act of the match galvanized a lagging Liverpool attack and proved to be decisive in their efforts to break United down. The Swissman was seemingly given a free role by Klopp and United were simply not able to contain his energy and intelligent positioning.
A game-changing performance from a player who is quickly becoming Liverpool’s talisman.
Fabinho Slowly Finds His Feet
There were some questions about the whereabouts of Liverpool’s summer signing when he was conspicuously absent from the side in the opening stages of the season. Before today, the Brazilian had only played 475 minutes over seven appearances for the Reds. However, Fabinho has been integrated into the side slowly over the last few weeks and was pivotal for Liverpool in the middle of the park today.
Today showcased the range of his talent as the Brazilian was physically domineering and his distribution was excellent throughout. A beautifully weighted ball into Mané in the first half got him his first assist of the season and he looked confident on the ball, dribbling around United’s lumbering defence with ease. Fabinho also proved to be a constant threat from long range as he challenged de Gea with some rasping shots.
Klopp’s management of Fabinho seems to be paying dividends much to the benefit of the team today.
Liverpool’s Three Wise Men
Liverpool’s attacking trio were ecstatic today. Mané, Salah and Firmino linked up effortlessly while driving at the United defence and the ease and precision with which they interlinked was jaw-dropping at times.
While Mané got himself on the scoresheet today, Firmino was the most impressive of the three as he operated in the unorthodox false nine role he has become known for.
Liverpool are in for a good Christmas period if these three can continue this form.
Manchester United: A Team Operating on Different Wavelengths
Much of the blame for United’s woeful defensive record this season lies with an out of form de Gea and some poor performances from the back four. However, today proved that a shocking lack of communication between the midfield and defence is also exacerbating their defensive woes.
Ander Herrera was pulled out of position numerous times today to cover areas that his defenders should have occupied and the deep positioning of the defense often prevented United from asserting any control over the midfield.
Elsewhere, Lukaku, Rashford and Lingard could be seen arguing among themselves after one or the other failed to find space and deliver the right pass. All this speaks to a manager who is not drilling his team well enough as the players look unsure of their roles and responsibilities.
Romelu Lukaku And What Could Have Been
Lukaku has had a very difficult time of late. The Belgian’s goal return has been very poor this season and his performances have, at times, bordered on the comical.
Things could have been very different for United today when an Ashley Young free kick in the 5th minute looked to have skipped past everyone in the Liverpool box and into the back of Alisson’s net. However, Lukaku, who was at least two yards offside, threw a clumsy leg at the cross and, although he did not make any contact with the ball, the referee judged that he interfered with play and the goal was disallowed.
Lukaku’s lack of positional awareness and clumsy attempt to connect with the ball was emblematic of his recent performances and prevented his team from that invaluable opening goal away from home against their rivals.
