Liverpool missed a chance to return to the top of the Premier League after playing out to a goalless draw against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
United had Diogo Dalot sent off in stoppage time at Anfield for dissent, but Liverpool had long since run out of ideas in the face of the visitors’ defiant display.
Liverpool began the weekend in first place, but dropped to third after Arsenal and Aston Villa won earlier in the day.
Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated a drab clash against their detested rivals, but lacked the cutting edge needed to extend their league winning streak to four games.
Liverpool are second in the table, one point behind leaders Arsenal, and face the Gunners at Anfield on Saturday.
“I saw a lot of good things, the one thing I don’t like is the result. We should have scored,” Klopp said.
“I can’t remember such a dominant performance against Man Utd, but they defended with a lot of passion.”
While Liverpool were left disappointed after failing to win at home for the first time in 12 games in all competitions, United’s result was a step in the right direction following another disappointing week.
Despite being plagued by injuries and missing suspended captain Bruno Fernandes, United displayed tenacity that had been lacking for much of the season.
Bournemouth humiliated United at home last weekend, and a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich on Tuesday condemned United to a meek Champions League group stage exit.
Erik ten Hag’s side were back at Anfield for the first time since being thrashed 7-0 there in March, an abject surrender that ranked among the club’s most humiliating defeats.
They haven’t won at Anfield since 2016, but after so many humiliating visits over the last seven years, Ten Hag was grateful for small mercies as United avoided further embarrassment.
“The game-plan went well, the players were brilliant how they stuck together and were in the fight,” Ten Hag said.
In keeping with the toxic nature of English football’s most bitter rivalry, Liverpool were forced to “utterly condemn” the fans who launched missiles at United’s team bus before the game, resulting in a glass bottle smashing a window.
That dreadful scene was followed by a scrappy game with equally few redeeming qualities.
Darwin Nunez, who had not scored in his previous nine games, was unable to convert Mohamed Salah’s lobbed cross as he stretched in vain at the far post.
Salah has a history of tormenting United, and he nearly scored again when his close-range effort was deflected wide after Andre Onana failed to hold Nunez’s header.
Liverpool’s territorial dominance resulted in eight corners in the first 30 minutes, with Virgil van Dijk nearly turning one into the opening goal before Onana pushed his header over.
Ibrahima Konate wasted another Liverpool corner, but despite the Reds’ persistent pressure, United were well-organized enough to keep Klopp’s men at bay.
Liverpool’s frustrating first half ended appropriately when Salah’s strike from a good position inside the area was comfortably saved by Onana.
Following the break, Liverpool controlled possession while United stubbornly refused to crack.
In the second half, Klopp moved Trent Alexander-Arnold into midfield, and the right-back came close with a first-time shot that flashed inches wide from the edge of the area.
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United was largely anonymous for long stretches of the game, and when he did get a sight of goal, the Dane shot straight at Alisson Becker after Scott McTominay’s pass gave him a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock.
After the Egyptian advanced menacingly, Onana made a good stop to deny Salah, while Dalot turned away Luis Diaz’s effort.
Dalot’s positive contribution was followed by an unnecessary one when he received a second yellow card for berating referee Michael Oliver during a throw-in dispute.
Photo by EPA/ADAM VAUGHAN
