Liverpool: Liverpool regained top spot in the Premier League after an impressive 3-1 victory over old rivals Manchester United at Anfield Sunday put them a point ahead of title rivals Manchester City.
After City’s 3-1 win over Everton Saturday, Juergen Klopp’s side rose to the challenge with two second-half goals from substitute Xherdan Shaqiri.
Earlier, Chelsea won 2-1 at Brighton & Hove Albion to consolidate their hold on fourth place ahead of Arsenal, who were surprisingly beaten 2-3 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 their home fortress and the only surprise was that it was not until the final 20 minutes that they 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 were increasingly forced into hopeful long-range efforts but the introduction in the 70th minute of Shaqiri, a summer signing from relegated Stoke City, 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 19-point gap between the two clubs — the biggest at this stage of a season in 46 years.
The win puts Liverpool on 45 points from 17 games, with Man 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.
