Liverpool held at Anfield by Red Devils

Liverpool were denied a return to the top of the Premier League as a resolute Manchester United defensive display held their dominant hosts to a 0-0 draw, the first time Jurgen Klopp’s team have dropped points at Anfield this season. Andre Onana made his league-high eight saves in a match, while his teammates battled to […]

Liverpool were denied a return to the top of the Premier League as a resolute Manchester United defensive display held their dominant hosts to a 0-0 draw, the first time Jurgen Klopp’s team have dropped points at Anfield this season.

Andre Onana made his league-high eight saves in a match, while his teammates battled to only the fourth goalless draw of the season so far.

Centre-back Ibrahima Konate replaced Jarell Quansah in Liverpool’s only change from their late victory at Crystal Palace last weekend.

Erik ten Hag made four changes, with Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane, Rasmus Hojland and Kobbie Mainoo all returning.

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Liverpool started ferociously, winning a corner inside the opening 20 seconds, which was met by a roar from the Anfield crowd, the largest since the 1960s thanks to the redeveloped Anfield Road stand being opened for the first time.

The home side continued to apply the pressure, Darwin Nunez’s back-post header testing Andre Onana, who could only parry to the feet of Mohamed Salah, whose effort from close range was scrambled behind for a corner.

Then Virgil van Dijk, up from the back for Liverpool’s seventh corner, powered a header that Onana had to tip over.

With the first half approaching its conclusion, Ryan Gravenberch cut a low ball back to the edge of the box to find Salah, but his low shot was saved by Onana.

It was Man Utd who had the first real chance of the second half. Alejandro Garnacho was sent through on goal, but Trent-Alexander Arnold got back to deny the Argentinian with a brilliant tackle.

Following his substitution for the injured Gravenberch on the hour, Cody Gakpo immediately found himself in space and passed to Salah, whose curled shot towards the top corner was comfortably saved by Onana.

The hosts came forward again, with Salah setting up Alexander-Arnold, whose fierce low shot brushed the near post.

But in the next minute, Man Utd, much against the run of play, came close to breaking the deadlock, with some neat passing resulting in a Hojlund shot from close range that was straight at Alisson.

With the contest now stretched Liverpool came forward once more, Salah jinking inside on to his left and bending a well-hit shot that forced Onana into another flying save.

In the fourth of five additional minutes of stoppage time, Man Utd were reduced to 10 men after Diogo Dalot was shown two yellow cards for dissent in the space of 10 seconds by referee Michael Oliver.

But Liverpool were unable to capitalise and their fifth draw of the season means they slip to second on 38 points, one behind Arsenal, whom they face next weekend.

Man Utd are seventh on 28 points, one off Newcastle United in sixth and one ahead of West Ham United, where they travel to next weekend.