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| Ander Herrera (Right) had the most touches (90) of any United player, which made him Man of the match. |
A wretched game failed to live up to the hype and finished goalless at Anfield
Liverpool and Manchester United played out a goalless and uneventful stalemate on a disappointing night at Anfield.
Liverpool and Manchester United played out a goalless and uneventful stalemate on a disappointing night at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool would have drawn level on points with leaders Manchester City with a fifth successive Premier League victory, but were subdued by a classic Jose Mourinho performance of defensive organisation and discipline.
United did not allow Liverpool to build the momentum and intensity that has characterised their game this season, while Mourinho's limited attacking ambitions ensured chances were at a premium.
The Portuguese was still grateful for two fine second-half saves from goalkeeper David de Gea, who dived low to stop Emre Can and saved athletically from Philippe Coutinho's 25-yard effort.
United's best chance also came in the second half, but the unmarked Zlatan Ibrahimovic directed Paul Pogba's cross off target.
United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed a good chance when he could only head a Paul Pogba pass harmlessly across goal.
Chances were at a premium but Emre Can went close for the home side, only for keeper David de Gea to save his shot.
De Gea brilliantly palmed a Philippe Coutinho shot wide before Liverpool's Roberto Firmino was tackled by Antonio Valencia as he burst through.
EPL Table As It Stands
MATCH HIGHLIGHT
What they said:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "I am not frustrated but I am not happy with the performance. No-one will show this game in 10 or 20 years but we could have played better.
"It was a hectic game, interrupted here and there, but we lost patience with our passing game. The attitude of my team was really good. We were ready to fight but when you can play better, you have to.
"The kind of defence is difficult to play. The man-marking is really difficult, they are stronger than us. We wasted energy in the first half for nothing. The second half was better and with fresher legs in second half we could have created more."
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho: "It is not the result we wanted but it is a positive result. It is a result that stops a direct opponent getting three points at home, so not a bad result.
"The game was difficult for both teams but for longer periods it was more difficult for them than us.
"We controlled the game not just tactically but the emotion of the game, that was probably the quietest Anfield I had and I was expecting it to be the other way.
"I think was a positive performance."
What next?
United are next in action when they host Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday (20:05 BST) before returning to Premier League action at Mourinho's former club Chelsea on Sunday (16:00 BST).
Liverpool host West Brom in the 17:30 BST Premier League match on Saturday.
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