The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Liverpool keeper Loris Karius spreads himself as Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic sends a header back across goal in last night’s 0-0 Premier League draw at Anfield.
Manchester United boss gives verdict after scrappy encounter fails to live up to billing
LIVERPOOL 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 0
Jose Mourinho felt Manchester United proved Liverpool are not “the last wonder of the world” in last night’s drab goalless Premier League draw at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been touted as title challengers after eyecatching wins at Arsenal and Chelsea, but they were frustrated by United in a poor contest.
“I think it was a more difficult game for them than it was for us,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“We knew it would be very difficult for them to score a goal and thought we’d score a goal to win the match, which we tried to do.
“They are not the last wonder of the world like you (the media) say they are but they are a very good team so we had to adapt a little to them,” he said.
Liverpool had the better chances but Emre Can and Philippe Coutinho were denied by fine David de Gea saves as the sides cancelled each other out for the first time in five years. “I have mixed emotions,” said Klopp. “I’m not happy about the game – we didn’t play as well as we could have played – but it’s a first clean sheet, which is all I’m happy about.”
The outcome looked a distinct possibility from the outset as fouls broke up the play, with few moments of note in a dull first half under the Anfield floodlights.
Liverpool improved after the break and would have snatched victory was it not for De Gea, who followed a fine save to thwart Emre Can by denying Philippe Coutinho from 30 yards.
They were the best chances of a disappointing evening on the pitch as both sets of fans created an atmosphere as loud as you would expect when the teams emerged at the new-look Anfield, hosting its first night match since the redevelopment that not only modernised the stadium but raised the capacity to 54,000.
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had United’s best opening after escaping Nathaniel Clyne to meet a Paul Pogba cross, only to send his header tamely back across goal.
They are not the last wonder of the world like you say they are. JOSE MOURINHO