Two deflected Shaqiri strikes give Liverpool victory over Man Utd

Former Celtic and Chelsea striker Chris Sutton said: "He's in denial Jose, he's in cloud cuckoo land.

"Liverpool were better all over the park for 90 minutes and he says 'for sure we'll finish in the top six'.

"Is that really what United fans want to hear? They finished second last season."

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Gary Neville says that Manchester United's problems stem from Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill leaving the club and it's not as simple as blaming Jose Mourinho.

"Fans don't want to go to the games," he says. "And that's not just now. It was the same under David Moyes - that was the manager's fault. The same under Van Gaal - that was the manager's fault. Mourinho - that was the manager's fault.

"The whole club needs to reset."

Jurgen Klopp to BBC Sport: "It was fantastic, we were in charge of the game, we dominated it. We played football against a physically unbelievably strong side.

"We pushed them, we won the ball back, we were aggressive, we were brave, we played balls in behind.

"Only after half an hour we misunderstood the game a bit, too much playing without making any yards and they scored a goal in that period and they came up.

"We stayed in the game and in the second-half we became annoying - just 'do it and do it' and then Shaq came on and scored these two goals, it's brilliant."

On Nathaniel Clyne: "What a game, wow, it is mid-December and he plays the first league game in the season and that is a performance I really respect."

Injuries: "This line-up I can not say I have a problem [with injuries]. I can not moan about it. Usually you need options, we don't have a lot of options, but today we had enough."

On Xherdan Shaqiri: "He is a wonderful player. We had this little talk, after a beautiful start, he got less decisive, his left foot is made for decisive things and shooting."

On the win: "It worked out in a way I could not have expected, I knew we were in a good moment, but everyone was ready to write a story United, you [the media] didn't say too many nice things about them and good things about us. It was made for another result.

"We wanted to avoid that and we fought really hard."

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports: "Will Mourinho leave? I think it will happen, my preference would always be to get to the end of the season. But the board room is so naive it's unbelievable.

"To give him an extended contract, knowing his cycle of every three years, was incredible. The minute he came back from pre season he was at it and the club was out of control.

"Nobody above him can handle him. They don't know what to do with him, they don't know what to say to him. They don't know what he's going to sat at every press conference. It will cost a fortune to lose him now.

"Are they going to get the manager they want? It's not as easy as that. They need to reset."

After 17 games, we can't keep calling this a bad 'start' to the season for Manchester United. Jose Mourinho may publicly believe that his side can finish in the top four but they are a point above Wolves.

They are closer to Newcastle in the table than the top four.

Former Celtic and Chelsea striker Chris Sutton said: "It started in pre-season and it's been continuous - every press conference with Mourinho is a soap opera.

"He's called his players out. Would that have an impact in the dressing room? Absolutely it would.

"The bottom line is, is he getting the best out of this group of players? And we all know the answer."

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Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic speaking to Sky Sports: "It's very hard for us. We expect more. I think in the first half we managed to find some spaces and create some opportunities. After their second goal it was hard to find space to create chances.

"After their goal they had more confidence, but we knew we had more opportunities to score.

"The second half wasn't good for us. Fellaini's introduction was an idea to have me play as a number 6 in front of defenders to stop passes going to Salah and Mane.

"It's hard for everyone who likes Manchester United. For the players it's most difficult. We have to turn the situation around and play better.

"When you don't have results it's hard to believe, but I have enough experience in football. When you win two or three games in a row everything changes. We have to go step by step. Responsibility is on all of us especially us more experienced players."

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville on Sky Sports: "Liverpool are streets ahead. Streets. Not one of the United midfielders can pass a football. Not one of them.

"I find it staggering. United were awful. They were hanging in there for a bit but the only real team who were going to win the game was Liverpool. It's not good enough."

Both Liverpool and Manchester United are in the Champions League draw on Monday morning.

You can, of course, follow that with BBC Sport.

I think it's a huge decision now for Manchester United. Are they going to stick with the manager?

I would never say get rid of a manager. Results dictate what happens to managers. I remember when David Moyes was in charge. United went out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich and Ryan Giggs was manager till the end of the season.

Will United wait to see what happens in the Champions League or make a decision?

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp speaking to Sky Sports:

"Over the moon about the performance. The way the boys played tonight was outstanding. We saw the line up of United and their quality - how organised they were and they fight from the back. The plan was to be brave and chip the ball behind the lines. The first goal was how, if you could have drawn, it would have been the goal. It's so deserved. Top, top first class team.

"The timing of Shaqiri's introduction was not too bad. We need somebody to score the goals. But how the boys fought. The mix up of big fight and really playing football against an unbelievably strong team. United didn't want to play defensively but we didn't let them out."

On the flat mood after the equaliser: "We conceded that goal, but the boys wanted to do it for Allison. On the pitch it was difficult. Then we stuck together and keep on going. At half time we could adjust a few things and saw spaces. Then they changed the system from five to four at the back and the space wasn't there. We played and played and Shaq came on and scored the goals."

On what it meant for their title hopes: "Today we played United. For one second we didn't think about it. We wanted to win the game which was difficult enough. We know we are a good football team. We had to prove it and keep on proving it."

Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness on Sky Sports: "Pogba must be thinking surely I'm better than Marouane Fellaini, surely better than Nemanja Matic? But if he had a better attitude he'd be better than any midfielder in the Premier League."

Ali Reza: Fabinho was stellar today, but special mention to Clyne, who played his first league game of the season. Shaqiri, the magic man! Also, a fan of us punting it from 25 yards - why not, when the opposition park two buses in front of you! Up the reds!

I want to see Manchester United challenging. It's great for the Premier League when Manchester United are competitive and they're up there.

But to be this far behind is ridiculous, really. It's not acceptable.

SMS Message: We'll definitely finish top six?! Wow. Has Jose forgotten that he's manager of Manchester United? He should be fired for that statement alone. Imagine Fergie saying that. from Dave, Fife

We'll definitely finish top six?! Wow. Has Jose forgotten that he's manager of Manchester United? He should be fired for that statement alone. Imagine Fergie saying that.

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to BBC Sport: "The strongest team won, but they won in the period when they were not stronger than us.

"In first 20 minutes of the first-half there was a huge distance [between the teams]. They were better and stronger, they did everything better than us.

"But in the moment when the game was going down, Livepool's intensity was dying, the centre-backs were shooting from 30-40m, because they could not find spaces in a dangerous area.

"It was a moment that perhaps we could win, but perhaps undeservedly. But we conceded goals David [De Gea] would normally save, but for the deflections.

"They players gave what they gave, there was a difference of intensity and physicality, pressing and transitions. They were fast and aggressive, we had difficulties to cope.

"But we managed to balance the game at 1-1, the second and third goals are hard. We lost the game with two rebounds.

"They first 20 minutes we could not breathe, the pressure was so intense. I am still tired looking at Andrew Robertson, tired to look at that kid."

On Smalling withdrawing before kick-off: "For the whole week I did not know who was available. Martial trained yesterday for the first time, so did Smalling, Shaw and Lindelof.

"Instead of having one week to think about the team and game, everyday I had to try to guess who was available to play, arrive in a big game, 10 minutes before the game the centre-back says he can't do it."

I don't think Paul Pogba has a future at the club. The big question is, who will be at United longer? Jose Mourinho or Paul Pogba?

United have been embarrassed here today and you've got Paul Pogba, who cost £89m, unused on the bench.

Xherdan Shaqiri is the second Liverpool player to score at least two goals in their first ever match against Manchester United for the Reds, and the first since Nigel Clough did so back in January 1994.

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