Liverpool are back on top of the Premier League after a 3-1 win against Manchester United on Sunday. Manchester United delivered another pathetic performance in a big game as they went down 3-1 to Liverpool at Anfield. United have now played all of the Premier League’s top five clubs this season and have conceded at least two goals in each game. The loss also means United have shipped more goals in the top flight this term than they did in the entirety of last campaign. United were toothless on Merseyside as they succumbed to their first away loss to Liverpool since 2013. Jose Mourinho raised eyebrows with his team selection, leaving both Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial on the bench.
Romelu Lukaku was preferred to Martial in attack despite the Frenchman’s fine recent form in front of goal and United’s No.9 barely contributed bar a cross that fortuitously found its way to Jesse Lingard for United’s equaliser following a howler by Alisson. Jurgen Klopp’s side were significantly better in the opening exchanges and their pressure eventually told in the 24th minute. Fabinho played an inch-perfect ball into Sadio Mane and the Senegalese finished past David de Gea. Yet Anfield was left stunned when, less than 10 minutes later, the visitors were level. Alisson Becker failed to hold onto Romelu Lukaku’s cross and the ball fell to Jesse Lingard, who made no mistake from seven yards out.
This Man United side has largely succeeded by simply staying in matches and there was evidence of it on Sunday. But there was only so long that the Red Devils could continue to keep Liverpool out for. In the 73rd minute, substitute Xherdan Shaqiri latched onto a loose ball and fired an effort past De Gea, via an Ashley Young deflection. And the Swiss added a third shortly afterwards to seal a sweet afternoon for Liverpool against their rivals. Where do Man United go from here? Mourinho has plenty of work to do to catch up to Liverpool and Manchester City and fans believe he should start by selling some of the club’s under-performers. Those today included Young, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic. Young failed to follow Mane for Liverpool’s first goal and was also unfortunate that Shaqiri’s effort deflected off him to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
