United frustrate Liverpool in Anfield stalemate
Despite enjoying 62% of the possession, Liverpool were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool v Manchester United. Arguably the biggest the biggest club games in world football. Jurgen Klopp’s men were looking to get back to winning ways after only managing a draw at Newcastle two weeks ago, while Jose Mourinho's men were searching for three points that would take them to the top of the Premier league table.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides and earned two early corners. Both whipped in by Mkhitaryan, the first was cleared by Wijnaldum for another set-piece and the second bounced out to Darmian, who sent a speculative volley wide.
Liverpool grew into the game and started to dictate the tempo of play. A long spell of possession ended with a decent strike from Wijnaldum from outside the box, but it was hit straight at De Gea.
Lukaku only had his first touch of the game after 17 minutes, but moments later powered down the right flank to deliver a cross that was just too strong for any silver shirt to get on the end of.
United got stuck in and eventually evened out the pressure, leading to a chance of their own. A Young cross bounced out to Matic and the midfielder tried a volley from 30 yards that looked to be heading into the top corner, but the strike flew just over the crossbar.
Minutes later, Liverpool had an excellent chance to open the scoring. Moreno played in Firmino down the left following a Liverpool corner, and the Brazilian cut back for Matip, who managed to steer an effort towards goal. De Gea, however, reacted superbly and stuck out a leg to divert it clear, but only to Salah, who somehow fired the follow up wide.
United had the final chance of the half when Lukaku made some space for himself to fire at goal. But even he couldn’t break the deadlock as Mignolet stood tall to push away.
Klopp’s half-time talk took immediate effect as Liverpool opened the early stages of the second half on the front foot.
The first opportunity came after a Coutinho strike was deflected into the path of Wijnaldum, but the midfielder couldn’t keep his composure as his lobbed effort went well over the bar.
Seconds later, Gomez did not hesitate in delivering a ball from the right, and with the United centre-backs were nowhere to be seen, Can latched onto the cross from 10 yards. He made a mess of it, however, and punted the ball high over De Gea’s goal.
The Anfield faithful were screaming for a penalty on the hour mark after a touch from Herrera floored Coutinho. At first glance it looked like a penalty, but the referee was not interested and waved play on.
With 20 minutes to play, Coutinho found Firmino down the left, while Salah made a darting run towards the back post. The Brazilian tried to find him with a looped cross, but the Salah couldn’t quite reach high enough and the chance went begging.
The visitor’s tactics clearly changed with 20 minutes to play as Mourinho ordered his men to shut up shop and play for the draw.
Three late Liverpool substitutes, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge and Soalnke, injected some much needed pace into the play, but Liverpool simply could not break down the United defence.
A corner in the dying minutes that was headed over by Lovren was the last action before proceedings were drawn to a close.
Jose Mourinho will more likely be the happier manager, but the Red Devils offered almost nothing going forward for the majority of the 90 minutes. Liverpool, on the other hand, again looked bright, but failed to convert their chances. The result puts United at the top of the Premier League table, but rivals Manchester City can climb back to the summit if they beat stoke in the 3pm (BST) kick off.