Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United: Player ratings

Liverpool passed up an opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League with a goalless draw against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday evening.

The Reds controlled the game from practically start to finish but were unable to make their dominance pay in a match witnessed by a record crowd at Anfield in the Premier League.

Despite creating a handful of chances - 34 to be precise - Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to find the crucial breakthrough, with United keeper Andre Onana barely tested.

Though they finished the game with 10 men after Diogo Dalot picked up a quickfire double yellow card in stoppage time, the visitors’ low block proved difficult to break down, and the Reds must content themselves with just a point.

Here are your player ratings…

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Alisson (GK): 7

Had precious little to do all game but was solid when called upon. The Brazilan stood tall to block Rasmus Hojlund’s close-range shot, which was practically straight at him, then made a key intervention with his feet in stoppage time. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB): 8

Connected well down the right with Szoboszlai and Salah and was defensively sound in his battle with Alejandro Garnacho, including getting a toe to the ball as the Argentinian looked through on goal. He moved to the centre of the park for the final half-hour and almost put the Reds in the lead with a shot that skidded just wide of the post.

Ibrahima Konate (CB): 8

Showed great strength and anticipation in his battle with Hojlund, not giving the Dane a sniff. Almost won the game with a Cruyff turn in the area but smashed his shot straight down Onana’s throat.

Virgil van Dijk (CB): 7

Unlucky not to give his side the lead with a firm header in the 28th minute, flicked over the bar by Onana. Calm and composed, shutting the door on several counter-attacks once the game opened up in the final 30 minutes.

Kostas Tsimikas (LB): 7

Some excellent front-foot defending meant he had Antony in his back pocket for the first hour until Liverpool started to go for the kill and made themselves a bit more susceptible to the counter-attack.

Wataru Endo (DM): 7

Kept possession ticking over in the middle of the park by keeping it simple and not taking too many risks. Despite being carded for a high foot on Sofyan Amrabat, which kept him walking a tightrope in the second half, he coped well and played with more authority after the break as the only starting midfielder to last the duration.

Dominik Szoboszlai (CM): 4

Got into some very good positions down the right flank in the opening half hour, but his touch was off today and the final pass was often missing. No surprise that he was hooked on the hour mark.

Ryan Gravenberch (CM): 6

Had an excellent volley, which may have been creeping into the bottom corner, deflected wide by Kobbie Mainoo. His forceful carrying of the ball was useful in the transitions, and it was unfortunate he had to be withdrawn through injury.

Mohamed Salah (RW): 8

The Egyptian was at the centre of all positive attacking play for his team. Darwin almost connected with the Egytian’s volleyed cross from the left, then a deflection took the sting off a low strike that was held by Onana. He forced the Cameroonian into a much better save with 20 minutes remaining.

Darwin Nunez (ST): 5

Pressed well from the front, forcing Onana into kicking the ball into touch several times. He was perhaps lucky not to talk himself into a red card after smashing into Jonny Evans and then kicking the ball away. Should have shown more conviction in the second half when through on goal, instead of leaving the ball for Luis Diaz.

Luis Diaz (LW): 6

Kept Dalot on his toes for much of the first 45, keeping him pegged back in his own half. Carried the ball with great purpose, but struggled to find the space for the final ball against United’s compact backline. Might have won a penalty after he was clattered in the area.

Substitutes:

Cody Gakpo (Gravenberch, 60’): 5

The Reds’ shot count increased significantly after his introduction, but few came close to troubling the United goal. Ought to have done better with his header in stoppage time.

Joe Gomez (Szoboszlai, 60’): 7

Offered good width after coming on and came close with a powerful shot into the side netting.

Harvey Elliott (Darwin, 77’): 5

Tried to offer the Reds more impetus in attack but offered little apart from a deflected shot from range.

Curtis Jones (Diaz, 77’): 5

Was pushed onto the left wing for the final 15 minutes but barely touched the ball. Was furious on one occasion when Gakpo opted to shoot rather than pass to him when he was perhaps in a better position.