Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool: Xherdan Shaqiri stars as Reds run riot
Liverpool thrashed Manchester United 4-1 in the International Champions Cup on Saturday as Xherdan Shaqiri capped his debut with a memorable goal.
This was a pre-season friendly in name only as over 100,000 fans in Michigan were treated to an intense clash played at a competitive pace for the majority.
Sadio Mane got things rolling with a first-half penalty (28) after Mohamed Salah had been fouled but United youngster Andreas Pereira (31) levelled with a wonderful free-kick – one of just three shots on goal mustered up by Jose Mourinho’s team.
Shaqiri was introduced at the break for his first appearance since joining from Stoke City and set up Daniel Sturridge (66) to give Liverpool a deserved lead. Sheyi Ojo scored from the spot (74) before Shaqiri wrapped up the scoring with a spectacular overhead kick.
James Milner set the tone for a feisty first-half by crunching into Alexis Sanchez inside 90 seconds. Both teams seemed to be treating the game like a Premier League encounter and Salah almost flicked home an opener before Virgil van Dijk had a header cleared off the line by Ander Herrera.
Liverpool would get the lead they deserved when United full-back Demetri Mitchell tripped Salah inside the box and Mane stroked home the penalty.
Sanchez was becoming frustrated up front for United but his side were level three minutes later courtesy of a moment of brilliance from Pereira, who spent last season on loan at Valencia.
Pereira ushered the more experienced first-teamers away from a free-kick about 25 yards out and bent an effort over the wall and straight into the top corner.
Salah and Mane were replaced at the break but Liverpool maintained their dominance as Shaqiri provided a creative outlet just ahead of the midfield. His burst into the box and pass to Sturridge, who had only been on the pitch for 60 seconds, handed the out-of-favour striker a chance to shine and he took it with a cool finish into the bottom corner.
United, who gave a debut to new signing Fred on 71 minutes, rarely came out of their half and Ander Herrera gave away a silly penalty on 74 minutes for a foul on Andrew Robertson. Despite Sturridge’s interest, Ojo stepped up and struck home the penalty.
Liverpool would save the best until last when Shaqiri flew through the air to meet a cross from the left, his left-foot connecting perfectly with the ball and it flew into the top corner.
Man of the match: Xherdan Shaqiri
If this 45-minute cameo is a sign of things to come then Jurgen Klopp may have picked up a bargain for £13m. The former Stoke City winger was eager to impress when being unleashed in the second half. Although he has a tendency to go missing in games, he was at the forefront of this one as he produced a clever assist for Sturridge and his acrobatic goal will have endeared him to Liverpool fans around the world.
What’s next?
Liverpool face Napoli (Saturday 4 August) and Torino at Anfield (Tuesday 7 August) in their final two pre-season games before facing West Ham on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Meanwhile, United have fixtures against Real Madrid (Wednesday 1 August) and Bayern Munich (Sunday 5 August) ahead of their season opener – live on Sky Sports – against Leicester City on Friday Night Football.
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