Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United: Match Report

Manchester United had won their last four league games against their fierce North-West rivals, but could only settle for a singular point on this occasion.

The match failed to live up to the pre-game hype as Liverpool’s attacking threat was nullified by an organised Man Utd.

It was Mourinho’s men who settled quicker into the game and dominated the early proceedings. Liverpool weren’t allowed any space in the final third and continuously tried to force their passes which were easily intercepted by United’s players.

Klopp admitted his side made too many unforced errors which enabled Manchester United to take control of the early stages.

Fellaini and Herrera won the midfield battle for united in the first half with both players winning all the second balls. Herrera was particularly impressive, always finding himself in the right position at the right time defensively, and when he was on the ball he always made the correct decision.

There was also an intriguing battle between Herrera and Coutinho, who was Liverpool’s best player on the night, and one of the only players who played with any sort of verve, that Liverpool have become synonymous with this season.

At the start of the first half Karius almost gifted Man Utd a goal when he played a  poor pass under pressure which was intercepted by Paul Pogba, who found the Ibrahimovic but the big Swede was offside.

Chances were scarce throughout the match and the first chance clear coming at  the 55^th minute mark, when Ibrahimovic failed to convert a superb Pogba cross.

Klopp’s men had their own opportunity to take the lead minutes later when Matip played through Emre Can who skilfully took the ball past Smalling only for his left-footed strike to be parried by De Gea.

Liverpool came into the game following the introduction of Adam Lallana in the 60^th minute, replacing Sturridge; which saw Firminho taking up Sturridge’s position upfront.

The balance of the game immediately shifted as the home side began to play with the spark and aggression that has been characteristic of Klopp’s Liverpool. They pushed back United who were more than happy to sit back and soak all the pressure.  

The moment of the match came in the 72^nd minute when Coutinho managed to find himself in space and fired a shot from distance with only a miraculous save from De Gea who somehow negated the ball from rifling into the top corner.

The result leave Liverpool two points off the top in fourth with Man Utd five points off leaders Man City in seventh.