Liverpool drew 0-0 with Manchester United at Anfield as Arsenal regained their spot as league leaders.
The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is not just between two football clubs but represents that of a cultural divide between two great cities – two great cities with similarity in many ways.
Liverpool have had the better over the Red Devils in recent years under Jurgen Klopp – especially at Anfield. Manchester United have failed to score a goal at Liverpool since Jesse Lingard’s strike in December 2018. The dominance can be perfectly summed up after the Reds’ 7-0 obliteration of their Manchester counterparts back in March of this year.
The Liverpool boss named nine changes from their midweek defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League – notably bringing Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz back into the front line.
The first clear-cut chance of the match was for the hosts as Dominik Szoboszlai’s long-range effort was watched go over the top of the bar after Luis Diaz set up the Hungarian midfielder.
Darwin Nunez had a great chance to head Liverpool in front in the first half, but his effort was cleared and Mohamed Salah was unable to convert from close range.
Virgil van Dijk’s header from a corner was athletically tipped over the bar by Andre Onana as Liverpool failed to take advantage of the dominance in possession.
The story of the first half would continue into the second as Manchester United turned all of Liverpool’s chances into remission. Trent Alexander-Arnold tried from distance, but once again his effort was just wide of the far post, Onana grounded to the floor.
A peculiar decision from Nunez as the Uruguayan striker failed to play to the whistle as, while he was protesting the decision of the referee to not award a penalty for a foul on Diaz, he didn’t play to the whistle to poke home what could have been an easy finish.
Eyebrows are rising at an alarming rate over Darwin Nunez’s ability to perform in a team looking to make up the difference to Arsenal and Manchester City. He gets himself into the positions to score, but he’s lacking that final touch. Once he perfects that, there’s no doubt he’ll be a goal machine for the Reds. But time and patience is running out.
The bizarreness of the match was epitomised by a strange red card to Diogo Dalot in the 90+4th minute. The Manchester United right-back received two yellow cards in quick succession for what can only be described as serious dissent to the referee.
The match ended goalless and a point-a-piece. Despite having 34 shots to Manchester United’s six. Ultimately, that, and the 69% possession meant nothing if you can’t put the ball into the back of the net.
Not the best result, but also not the worst. Liverpool missed the chance to go back to the top of the table after Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Up next for Liverpool is a festive EFL Cup quarter-final tie against West Ham United at Anfield. Kick-off is at 8pm on Wednesday, 20 December.
Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Szoboszlai (Gomez 61), Endo, Gravenberch (Gakpo 61), Salah, Nunez (Elliott 78), Diaz (Jones 78).
Manchester United team: Onana, Dalot, Evans, Varane, Shaw, Mainoo (Mejbri 82), Amrabat, Antony (Pellistri 82), McTominay, Garnacho (Rashford 71), Hojlund.
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
- Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Liverpool: Young Reds Lose In Belgium
- Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool: Late Elliott Strike Sends Reds Top
- Sheffield United 0-2 Liverpool: Van Dijk & Szoboszlai Score As Reds Crack Down Blades
- Liverpool 4-3 Fulham: Reds Score Four Incredible Goals In Seven-Goal Thriller
- Liverpool 4-0 LASK: Reds Qualify For Round of 16 With Emphatic Victory