Xherdan Shaqiri scored twice as Liverpool soundly beat Manchester United.

Sadio Mane had opened the scoring on 25 minutes as he latched onto a clever floated ball by Fabinho before volleying low through the legs of an advancing David de Gea.

The visitors pulled level barely 10 minutes later when Alisson spilled Romelu Lukaku’s cross into the path of Jesse Lingard to slide home an equaliser.

But Jurgen Klopp’s side returned to the Premier League’s summit when substitute Shaqiri rifled into the Kop net after an initial De Gea save fell into his path.

Another followed in quick succession for the Swiss international as he extended the lead with a low drive that was deflected in by United defender Eric Bailly.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Lady Luck continues to smile on the Reds

 

Jose Mourinho claimed that Liverpool had ‘the feeling of the lucky ones’.

Two deflected goals to tip the balance in this game gave the Manchester United manager’s words credence, but the Reds currently need all the help they can get.

Manchester City remain unrelenting in the Premier League title race, meaning Jurgen Klopp’s side require a small spot of fortune to nudge them along.

They were still good value for the win, though. A near-total dominance of both play and chances, with 30 more attempts than United’s six, told its own tale.

Liverpool will hope Lady Luck continues to smile on them in the months ahead.

Another Shaq attack has Neville in hiding

 

A penny for Gary Neville’s thoughts on Xherdan Shaqiri now.

The United legend turned pundit has not been shy in admonishing Liverpool’s summer signing for perceived attitude problems and going missing in games.

Shaqiri was hardly conspicuous in his absence against Neville’s former club. A dazzling cameo showed just why Klopp took a gamble on the £13 million man.

His quickfire brace to seal maximum points also exposed what Mourinho’s side currently lack; a player who can turn draws into wins in the blink of an eye.

So much for a player who was called ‘unprofessional’ just five months ago.

Alisson blunder casts doubt over debate

 

This game was always going to come down to a contest between the Premier League’s best two goalkeepers; a debate which has raged through the season.

On balance, Alisson has eclipsed De Gea. Yet his blunder that allowed United a previously unlikely lifeline into the clash will cast doubt on that assertion.

Errors are hardly an alien concept to the Brazilian but his fumble to gift Jesse Lingard an unjust equaliser was the biggest present that United will receive this Christmastime.

One bunder does not constitute failure but Alisson is now third only to Bernd Leno and Asmir Begovic in the top flight for making errors that led to goals.

Familiar concerns about a first-choice Liverpool goalkeeper are again creeping in.

Goals pay the rent – and so do shots

 

It is an oft repeated line of commentary from Anfield’s rich history:

‘Goals pay the rent and Keegan does his share’.

The burden of responsibility no longer rests on Liverpool’s front line as it did during Kevin Keegan’s heyday as the statistics from this clash typified.

By the time Shaqiri had helped his side retake the lead, all 12 outfield players had, at one point or another, managed to take aim at David de Gea’s goal.

There may not have been a glut of goals, however Klopp’s players are proving that they are more than contributing their own share to the victories amassed.