Liverpool and Manchester United failed to produce on any of the pre-match promise as neither side found the net on Monday night at Anfield.

The first half began with the visitors dominating proceedings as they rushed Jurgen Klopp’s men in possession but neither side created any meaningful chances.

Jose Mourinho’s tactics of pressing high with all his physical players on the park paid dividends with the Red Devils awarded a free kick in the sixth minute but Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasted his free kick well over Loris Karius’ bar.

With the Manchester side still in control, Paul Pogba launched a speculative 17th minute effort from long range but his wild effort tested only the crowd in row M. Liverpool’s Emre Can responded six minutes later but like Pogba tested only the spectators packed inside Anfield.

United’s hold on the game weakened as Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino dropped deeper to impact play more. On the half hour, Coutinho got his head onto the end of Can’s long through but the Brazilian failed to direct his header towards a corner as David de Gea saved with ease.

The Anfield crowd grew louder in voice but they ultimately had little to shout for as they half ended goalless.

Ibrahimovic and Pogba combined in the 54th minute but the flamboyant Swede headed meekly wide after Pogba created a brilliant chance as he crossed to the far post despite being surrounded by a group of defenders in red.

De Gea produced a world-class save to deny Can in the 58th minute after the German midfielder was sent clear. After appearing to squander the chance, the Liverpool midfielder struck the ball firmly but De Gea sprung to his right to palm away the game’s best chance.

Coutinho broke free from Pogba’s watch in the 70th minute as he attempted an audacious curling effort but it took another even better save from De Gea to keep the now ultra-defensive United side on level terms.

Wayne Rooney was introduced for Marcus Rashford with 15 minutes to play as Mourinho attempted to sneak an unlikely win on the road.

Liverpool continued to dominate but could not find the pass to unlock the United defence as Anfield cried out for a winner and the bragging rights in the famous rivalry. Marouane Fellaini wasted a rare chance in attack for United as he headed Daley Blind’s corner wide in the 80th minute much to the relief of Klopp on the touchline.

When that so sought after killer ball came, Firmino failed to even get a shot away as Antonio Valencia’s last ditch tackle kept his side in the game.

In the end, Liverpool were forced to settle for a point despite having the majority of the chances and 65% possession.