Shaqiri double earns Liverpool 3-1 win over Man United

Substitute Xherdan Shaqiri scored two goals from deflected shots to help Liverpool beat fierce rival Manchester United 3-1 and lift his team back atop the Premier League on Sunday.

Days after keeping Liverpool in the Champions League with a stunning late save against Napoli, Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker made a dreadful mistake that gifted United an equalizer through Jesse Lingard in the 33rd minute at Anfield.

Liverpool's Xherdan Shaqiri, right, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. [Photo: AP]

But Shaqiri spared Alisson from some of his embarrassment by putting Liverpool back in front in the 73rd — within three minutes of coming on as a substitute — with a low strike that deflected off United defender Ashley Young and went in off the crossbar.

Shaqiri's second goal clinched Liverpool victory in what is traditionally the biggest game in English soccer and again it came via a ricochet, this time off Eric Bailly, to deceive United goalkeeper David De Gea in the 80th.

It was indicative of the approach of the two managers that United's Jose Mourinho sent on defensive midfielder Marouane Fellaini at halftime with the score at 1-1, while Liverpool's Juergen Klopp turned to Shaqiri when that score had not changed midway through the second half.

"He is a wonderful player," Klopp said of Shaqiri, who joined from Stoke in the offseason to supplement Liverpool's options up front. "His left foot is made for decisive things."

Sadio Mane had given Liverpool the lead in the 24th minute amid the team's breathless start to the game that overwhelmed United and its patched-up defense.

United has been beaten 3-1 by both of its biggest rivals in recent weeks — it also lost by that score at Manchester City last month — and was outplayed on both occasions.

It is 19 points behind Liverpool and its 26-point total is United's lowest after 17 games since the 1990-91 season.

Liverpool reclaimed its one-point lead over second-placed City, which beat Everton 3-1 on Saturday.