The greatest derby in English football ended goalless after top of the table Manchester United failed to end Liverpool’s undefeated record at Anfield.
A win for Manchester United would have sent them six points clear at the top of the table, while for Liverpool today’s game was a chance to regain top spot.
Thiago finally made his first start at Anfield after struggling with injury, while Fabinho and Jordan Henderson made up Liverpool’s centre back partnership in the absence of Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip.
The first proper chance fell to Liverpool after 16 minutes, a great forward pass by Xherdan Shaqiri into Sadio Mane who cut the ball back to Robert Firmino only for the Brazilian forward to fire his shot wide.
Just after the half hour mark a needless foul conceded on the edge of the box by Liverpool presented Bruno Fernandes with an opportunity from a close range freekick.
The Portuguese international stepped up and struck the ball perfectly, firing just inches wide of the top corner with Alison left scrambling across to his near post.
The home side started the second-half well with a good spell of pressure, forcing their opposition to defend but United did so resiliently.
On the hour mark, Salah found the ball at his feet on the edge of the six-yard box, the winger twisted and turned trying to find room but eventually dragged his shot wide of the post.
The best chance of the game fell to Fernandes after a brilliant cut back from an overlapping Luke Shaw, but the shot was straight at Alison who got down well to make the save.
Moments later David De Gea was forced into action for the first time, palming away a long-range strike from Thiago who was undoubtedly Liverpool’s most impressive player of the match.
With less than 10 minutes to play Paul Pogba had a golden opportunity to snatch the points with the ball falling to him on the half volley just yards from goal, but his shot was saved by a perfectly positioned Alison.
With 0-0 the final score Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side remain top of the table, but there is no doubt it is two points dropped for the away side after creating several good chances against a weakened Liverpool defence.
For Liverpool their goal-scoring drought continues, with injury woes continuing to plague them.
Jurgen Klopp’s side face a tough test at home to Burnley on Thursday before once again squaring off with United in a week’s time, for their fourth round FA Cup tie.
By Fraser Day
