MANCHESTER UNITED remain top of the Premier League after frustrating champions Liverpool at Anfield.
- Final score: Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
Follow all the reaction with our live blog below…
GOODNIGHT FROM ANFIELD
Much hype, much fanfare, but no goals.
Once again, a fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United failed to live up to its pre-match billing as this supposed game of the season ended goalless for the fourth time in nine meetings.
In the end, both sides were prepared to settle for a point that keeps their respective unbeaten home and away runs going, and maintained the gap between the two clubs in the table to that of a single win.
The home side controlled possession and piled on the pressure at Anfield, but it was the league leaders who created the two big moments of the contest.
Indeed, Jurgen Klopp was grateful to his goalkeeper Alisson for a pair of fabulous second half saves that he made to deny Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
Without their stopper, the champions could well have been facing up to a first league defeat on home soil in almost four years, and to that of a stuttering title defence.
Instead, both clubs prepare to go again. Manchester United are back in midweek action, travelling to Fulham on Wednesday before Liverpool host Burnley the next evening.
If they continue to be so shot-shy, they’ll be needing to keep as close an eye on Leicester City and Manchester City as they currently are on each other.
Thanks for reading and goodnight.
KLOPP TALK
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised his players following his 200th league game in charge, but admits he’s uncertain on the reasons for another 90 minutes without a goal.
With all that was said before the game about them flying and us struggling, I think my boys played a really good game tonight. We kept them under pressure, the counter press was great, the passing was good, the positioning was good. We didn’t score and we know that’s the most important thing in football.
Jurgen Klopp
TRENT DOWNHEARTED
Liverpool’s right-back has mirrored the nation’s feelings on the game in his latest Twitter post.
SOLSKJAER SPEAKS
An honest assessment at full time from Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who believes his side didn’t play well today but did create the game’s best opportunities.
We were playing against a fantastic team and they had the possession. While they had more of the ball, we had the better chances.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
ATTACKING ANSWER?
With Liverpool struggling for goals, perhaps it’s time for them to head back into the transfer market for an in-form striker who knows the club well.
JURGEN’S FORTRESS
Today marked Jurgen Klopp’s 200th Premier League game in charge of Liverpool, and, respectively, his 100th at Anfield.
It’s been 45 months since his side last lost such a fixture.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Hot off the press, Dave Kidd has filed his match report from Anfield where Liverpool and Manchester United have played out a goalless draw.
CAPTAIN’S THOUGHTS
Having heard from Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire, it’s now the turn of his Liverpool counterpart, Jordan Henderson, to give his thoughts. on today’s match. The Liverpool captain once again performed well in his unfamiliar role as a as a makeshift defender.
With the quality they possess, the clean sheet is a positive for us. It’s interesting to play [centre-back]. It’s difficult at times, but the manager asked me to do a job and I just try my best to do that.
Jordan Henderson
MAGUIRE REACTION
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire believes his side’s disappointment is a sign of how far they’ve progressed since they last faced Liverpool at Anfield.
We wanted to win. You could see our intent in the second half, we wanted the three points. We feel a bit disappointed.
Harry Maguire
AWAY RUN EXTENDED
The Red Devils continue to travel well on the road with Ole at the wheel, and they certainly won’t mind if 2021 compares to 1999.
ALISSON WONDER HANDS
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson came to his side’s rescue in the second half with two stunning saves, denying Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
A SHAW THING
Left-back Luke Shaw again impressed in the Manchester United ranks, and created the game’s big chance when he pulled a smart pass back for Bruno Fernandes on the second half.
POOL FIRE BLANKS AGAIN
For all their supposed issues around a patched-up defence, it’s the forwards that are failing to live up to expectations at Anfield.
Liverpool have gone three league games without scoring a goal for the first time in almost 16 years.
FT: LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
The battle between the champions and the challengers ends goalless. Liverpool had more of the play, but United created the best chances, and were kept out only by two fine Alisson saves. It means the visitors maintain top spot, and the three-point gap to their opponents in third.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER AT ANFIELD!
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
90+5. Jones plays it short, Milner chips into the area and McTominay boots clear.
Paul Tierney looks at his watch…
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
90+4. Marcus Rashford stops Curtis Jones from getting away in midfield with a cynical lunge.
It brings a booking, and one last chance for Liverpool to test the United defence.
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
90+2. A lofted cross from Alexander-Arnold has supporters of both sides holding their breath, but it’s comfortably dealt with by Lindelof.
If there is to be a winner, it won’t come from this attack.
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
90+1. Liverpool win a corner that sees Alexander-Arnold trotting over to take.
Yes, it’s that corner of Anfield…
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
90. The board goes up for three extra minutes.
It’s the opportune time to remind you that no side has scored more stoppage time goals than Manchester United’s five this season.
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
88. More changes as James Milner replaces Georginio Wijnaldum, while Mason Greenwood is on for a visibly annoyed Bruno Fernandes.
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
85. A substitute for Liverpool as Divock Origi takes over offensive duties from Roberto Firmino.
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
83. Alisson saves again!
United are finishing really strongly here, and Pogba thinks he has found another winning goal. The ball drops to the midfielder inside the area, and he arrows an angled shot towards the near post. It looks in, but somehow the Liverpool keeper gets down low to turn it behind.
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
81. Brilliant defending at both ends.
First, Lindelof launches himself at a fizzed cross arrowed in from the right to deny Salah a snapshot at goal.
Then, seconds later, United find themselves with a two-on-one on the break. Rashford ignores Cavani by going it alone, only to find himself muscled off the ball by Fabinho.
LIVERPOOL 0-0 MAN UTD
80. A low cross from the right flank evades Salah and Firmino but has Mane on the prowl at the far post. Until Wan-Bissaka comes to the rescue with a smart interception, that is.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
