Unbeaten Liverpool leading premiership again
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool regained top spot in the English Premier League after an impressive 31 victory over old rival Manchester United at Anfield yesterday put it a point ahead of title rival Manchester City.
After City’s 31 win over Everton on Sunday, Juergen Klopp’s side rose to the challenge with two secondhalf goals from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri.
Earlier, Chelsea won 21 at Brighton & Hove Albion to consolidate its hold on fourth place ahead of Arsenal, which was surprisingly beaten 32 at Southampton to end a run of 22 games without defeat.
Liverpool, the only unbeaten side left in the league, never looked in danger of letting that record slip in its home fortress although it was not until the final 20 minutes that it made sure of the win.
Sadio Mane had put Liverpool ahead in the 24th minute with a fine finish, bringing down a Fabinho pass on his chest before slipping the ball past David De Gea.
United had been outclassed early on but, against the run of play, managed to get back on level terms when home keeper Alisson fumbled a low cross from Mane into the path of Jesse Lingard who accepted his early Christmas present gleefully.
As the game wore on, Liverpool was forced into hopeful longrange efforts but the introduction in the 70th minute of Shaqiri turned the game.
Both of the Swiss international’s efforts, in the 73rd and 80th minutes, were deflected but the good fortune had been earned by a enterprising Liverpool display that highlighted the 19point gap between the two clubs — the biggest at this stage of a season in 46 years.
‘‘I’m over the moon about the performance. The way the boys played tonight was outstanding,’’ Klopp said.
‘‘The timing of Shaqiri’s introduction was not too bad. We need somebody to score the goals. But how the boys fought.’’
The win puts Liverpool on 45 points from 17 games, with Manchester City on 44 and Tottenham Hotspur third on 39.
Defeat, though, leaves United sixth on 26, 11 points away from the fourth Champions League qualification slot, with manager Jose Mourinho, who had left France midfielder Paul Pogba on the bench, accepting that was the best his side could now hope for.
‘‘It’s not easy. For sure, we are going to finish in the top six. Best we can get is fourth.’’
Eden Hazard starred in Chelsea’s win at Brighton, setting up the first goal for Pedro and scoring the second himself.
Manager Maurizio Sarri said the last few minutes were difficult, however, after the home side scored through Solly March.
‘‘We conceded a goal in a moment when we were in full control. The last five minutes against a very physical team were difficult to manage.’’
The win took Chelsea to 37 points, three points clear of London rival Arsenal, which conceded three headed goals in defeat at lowly Southampton.
Danny Ings scored the first two and although Henrikh Mkhitaryan equalised each time, substitute Charlie Austin scored the winner with goalkeeper Bernd Leno at fault in not cutting out Shane Long’s cross.
It was Southampton’s first win since September 1, achieved in new manager Ralph Hasenhuettl’s first home game. — Reuters