Xherdan Shaqiri rose from the bench to secure three vital points and bragging rights over rivals Manchester United after his double sealed a 3-1 win at Anfield.
Sadio Mane had expertly opened the scoring in the 24th minute after athletically finishing from Fabinho’s delicately lofted ball into the box.
The lead would only last nine minutes, however, as Alisson spilled a Romelu Lukaku cross to allow Jesse Lingard to slot home United’s equaliser.
But the home side were rewarded for their attacking and possession dominance as second-half substitute Shaqiri’s two deflected strikes, one in the 73rd minuted and the second in the 80th minute, saw Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League.
BETRAYAL OF HISTORY
The statistics were already damning about Jose Mourinho’s egregious – and infamous – third season at United.
After the cowardice displayed on derby day at Anfield, they are now unforgivable and his position utterly untenable. Proud United traditions dictate such a limited approach demands instant, and decisive, reproach.
This supine tactical retreat featured a historic 36 attempts on goal from the hosts. This is the most conceded by the Red Devils since records began in the Premier League.
No wonder when you play three holding midfielders in the second half, with the trio all, seemingly, told to retreat at 1-1 and flood your own penalty box.
Don’t forget, this is the same Liverpool who have curtailed attacking ambitions this term with an injection of pragmatism.
The three strikes conceded, in total, means it is now 29 goals let in during 17 top-flight matches. This is one more than the entirety of 2017/18.
With Mourinho is such indignant mood and, seemingly, set on career suicide, it is no surprise to see a 19-point gap to leaders Liverpool from sixth place – the most between them at this stage of the season.
26 - Manchester United have picked up 26 points after their first 17 Premier League games; their worst points haul in the top-flight at this stage since 1990-91 (also 26 points). Dip. pic.twitter.com/FI2avHKq1D
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 16, 2018
Opposite number Jurgen Klopp has been backed to the hilt to end his Reds trophy drought. But he provides significant return on investment and authoritative, energising and winning football.
For Mourinho, Paul Pogba was an unused £89.9 million substitute and £47m colleague Fred didn’t even make the match-day 18. £19m right-back Diogo Dalot was hooked at half-time.
Craven performances have become the depressing norm for Mourinho in 2018/19.
CURIOUS CASE OF ERIC BAILLY
Eric Bailly was United’s best defender against Arsenal, shutting down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang like few others have done during his prolific – near – year in the Premier League.
Bailly was, again, United’s best defender at Anfield. This time, he went from forgotten part on the substitutes’ bench to last-minute call-up as Chris Smalling’s persistent foot problem flared up in the warm-up.
He responded with a team high seven interceptions and five tackles. The deflection on Shaqiri’s second, and Liverpool’s third, was borne of competitive desire to close down.
When the Ivory Coast international is capable of such redoubtable display, how can anomalies like his woeful 19 minutes against Newcastle United happen and why did he not initially start at Anfield? Largely free from persistent injury that curtailed his startling 2016/17 debut campaign, why was this just a fifth Premier League start of the season?
GOAL Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd (80 mins)
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 16, 2018
Liverpool have surely won it now! Shaqiri runs on to a loose ball and his effort deflects off Bailly and beyond the diving De Gea#LIVMUN
Raw edges remain on the Ivory Coast centre-back’s game. He plays on instinct and relies on athleticism – traits not unfamiliar to a club that had Nemanja Vidic grace its backline from 2006-14.
Mourinho’s jarred relationship with Pogba dominates discourse about his discordant and dated man-management at United.
The Portuguese’s failure to inspire regular top-class displays from Bailly, however, is just as damning.
