Xherdan Shaqiri scored just 144 seconds after coming on as a sub
Xherdan Shaqiri came off the bench to inspire a Liverpool victory over a lacklustre Manchester United that takes them back to the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool needed the win after Manchester City beat Everton on Saturday - and it was substitute Shaqiri's rapid-fire double strike in the second half that gave Jurgen Klopp's side the three points they fully deserved.
Sadio Mane's 24th-minute volley from Fabinho's perfect delivery gave Liverpool the lead their lightning start merited, only for a dreadful error by goalkeeper Alisson to give United an unlikely lifeline before the break when he fumbled Romelu Lukaku's cross into the path of Jesse Lingard.
United barely offered an attacking threat but were frustrating Liverpool until Klopp introduced Shaqiri with less than 20 minutes remaining, with devastating effect.
Meanwhile, Paul Pogba remained an unused substitute on United's bench, Jose Mourinho opting instead to bring on Marouane Fellaini at the interval with his side short of inspiration.
There was an element of good fortune about both of the Swiss international's goals, one deflected in from close range and the other off Eric Bailly to beat keeper David de Gea - but one cannot begrudge Liverpool their victory against this desperately ordinary United side.
- Follow reaction to Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United here.
Liverpool's perfect week ends in style
Liverpool and Klopp faced a pivotal week in their season that would shape the immediate future - and they answered the questions posed of them in emphatic fashion.
The two tasks in hand were to get the victory they needed over Napoli to reach the last 16 of the Champions League then beat Manchester United to return to the Premier League summit.
Liverpool showed no hangover from their midweek efforts in successfully achieving that Champions League mission as they set about United with relish and went ahead through Mane - although Alisson's gift to Lingard stopped their momentum and gave Mourinho's side a chance of the point that seemed to be the extent of their ambitions.
Shaqiri's introduction changed all that to leave Klopp's men still unbeaten in the league and United 19 points adrift of their arch-rivals.
Liverpool are currently in the sort of mood where they believe anything is possible and the signing of Shaqiri has added to their collection of match-winners.
Mohamed Salah was quiet but Shaqiri stepped up in an impressive demonstration of the squad strength at Klopp's disposal.
Mourinho's Manchester United second rate
Manchester United and manager Mourinho may point to the two decisive deflections on Shaqiri's goals - but they would be fooling only themselves if they believe they deserved anything from this game.
Mourinho's gameplan, predictably, was one of physical strength and containment that Liverpool were dealing with dismissively until Alisson's blunder threw them off their stride.
The Old Trafford boss added further physical power in the shape of Fellaini at half-time but it was still Liverpool, albeit nowhere near as impressively as in the first period, who were positive and pushing, while United were passive.
Pogba was not even used and Anthony Martial arrived when it was too late - while Klopp brought on the maverick game-changer Shaqiri to make the difference.
The contrast was almost symbolic, demonstrating just how quickly United are heading in the opposite direction to this vibrant Liverpool side.
Man of the match - Fabinho (Liverpool)
Only Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino made more passes for Liverpool than Fabinho, who was his side's heartbeat
More to follow.
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Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text
Line-ups
Liverpool
13Alisson
2Clyne
6Lovren
4van Dijk
26Robertson
10ManéSubstituted forHendersonat 84'minutes
5Wijnaldum
3Fabinho
8KeitaSubstituted forShaqiriat 70'minutes
9Roberto Firmino
11Salah
Substitutes
14Henderson
15Sturridge
18Moreno
20Lallana
22Mignolet
23Shaqiri
64Camacho
Man Utd
1De Gea
36Darmian
3Bailly
2Lindelöf
18Young
20DalotBooked at 26minsSubstituted forFellainiat 45'minutes
21HerreraSubstituted forMartialat 79'minutes
31Matic
10Rashford
14LingardSubstituted forMataat 85'minutes
9LukakuBooked at 40mins
Substitutes
4Jones
6Pogba
8Mata
11Martial
22Romero
25A Valencia
27Fellaini
Referee:
Martin Atkinson
Attendance:
52,908
Match Stats
Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamMan Utd
Possession
Home64%
Away36%
Shots
Home36
Away6
Shots on Target
Home11
Away2
Corners
Home13
Away2
Fouls
Home6
Away14
Live Text
Posted at
Match ends, Liverpool 3, Manchester United 1.
Full TimePosted at 90'+4'
Second Half ends, Liverpool 3, Manchester United 1.
Posted at 90'+2'
Attempt missed. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Andrew Robertson.
Posted at 90'+2'
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 90'+2'
Foul by Victor Lindelöf (Manchester United).
Posted at 90'+1'
Attempt missed. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Georginio Wijnaldum.
Posted at 90'
Attempt blocked. Juan Mata (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku.
Posted at 90'
Attempt missed. Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.
Posted at 89'
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 89'
Foul by Eric Bailly (Manchester United).
Posted at 88'
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 88'
Foul by Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United).
Posted at 86'
Foul by Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool).
Posted at 86'
Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
SubstitutionPosted at 85'
Substitution, Manchester United. Juan Mata replaces Jesse Lingard.
Posted at 84'
Attempt missed. Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Ashley Young following a set piece situation.
SubstitutionPosted at 84'
Substitution, Liverpool. Jordan Henderson replaces Sadio Mané.
Posted at 83'
Foul by Fabinho (Liverpool).
Posted at 83'
Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 83'
Attempt saved. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Xherdan Shaqiri.
Posted at 82'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Posted at 82'
Dangerous play by Ashley Young (Manchester United).
Goal!Posted at 80'
Goal! Liverpool 3, Manchester United 1. Xherdan Shaqiri (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.
Posted at 79'
Fabinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Posted at 79'
Foul by Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United).
SubstitutionPosted at 79'
Substitution, Manchester United. Anthony Martial replaces Ander Herrera.
Posted at 79'
Sadio Mané (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Posted at 79'
Foul by Nemanja Matic (Manchester United).
Posted at 75'
Attempt missed. Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Romelu Lukaku.
Posted at 75'
Attempt missed. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Roberto Firmino.
Goal!Posted at 73'
Goal! Liverpool 2, Manchester United 1. Xherdan Shaqiri (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
Posted at 71'
Attempt saved. Fabinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
SubstitutionPosted at 70'
Substitution, Liverpool. Xherdan Shaqiri replaces Naby Keita.
Posted at 69'
Attempt saved. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Posted at 69'
Attempt blocked. Sadio Mané (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Georginio Wijnaldum.
Posted at 66'
Offside, Manchester United. Ander Herrera tries a through ball, but Ashley Young is caught offside.
Posted at 65'
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Roberto Firmino.
Posted at 65'
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Naby Keita.
Posted at 63'
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Marouane Fellaini.
Posted at 63'
Attempt blocked. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sadio Mané.
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goal
Source: bbc.com