Heavyweights slug it out in a goalless draw
Liverpool saved by athletic efforts from goalkeeper Alisson
Manchester United stayed top of the Premier League after drawing 0-0 with Liverpool yesterday and extending the champions’ winless run to four matches.
Liverpool haven’t gone as long without a win since 2017, but Ju¨ rgen Klopp’s team still maintained their unbeaten record at Anfield since the same year thanks to Alisson Becker’s late saves from Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
“We had two great chances and two great saves,” United captain Harry Maguire said.
“It was cagey but it was two good teams matching up. We found it difficult in the first half to get a rhythm to the game, the press was high.”
Thiago Alcantara’s long-range effort was well saved by United goalkeeper David De Gea in the 78th minute as Liverpool failed to score for a third successive match.
Liverpool, who had a makeshift defence due to injuries, stayed three points behind United, who are chasing their first title since 2013.
The outcome was predictable as this was the seventh draw in the past 10 meetings between these sides, who meet again in the FA Cup next weekend.
The clash between England’s two most-decorated clubs never got close to fulfilling its billing, with the best quality on show being that from Alisson.
The hope for the hosts was that Thiago, back from an injury and making his first Anfield appearance for the club since arriving from Bayern Munich in September, would provide the creative spark.
The midfielder did dictate play but even his exquisite use of the ball could not unlock a well-drilled United formation.
But he was not helped by some distinctly poor and wayward finishing from Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri — in his first league start in 13 months — and Andy Robertson.
United played well within themselves, content to run holding patterns and wait for a Liverpool mistake, and as a result they did not have their first shot until the 34th minute
when Fernandes whipped a free kick just wide.
Fernandes seemed to be the only United player testing Alisson, with the Brazil international saving twice in the second half — the second a good block from close range.
Thiago forced the underemployed De Gea to palm away his strike from distance before Alisson produced the stop of the evening to turn Pogba’s drive for a corner.
“They were dangerous on the counter-attack, they’re dangerous away from home,” said Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who was deployed further back in central defence.
“We knew it would be a tough game but, like I said, I thought the performance level was really good, counter-pressing, winning the ball back quickly was good.
“They’re always going to have one
or two moments, but I think it’s about trying to limit that and I felt as though we did that today. Overall we’ll be disappointed not to take the three points.”
The day’s other matches saw fifthplaced Tottenham run over tailenders Sheffield United, 3-1 and second-placed Manchester City far too strong for Crystal Palace, winning 4-0 while the Aston Villa-everton match was postponed. — AP