Talking Points: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United

It finished all square at Anfield as both sides failed to break the deadlock in a drab stalemate. Liverpool controlled possession but both teams looked jaded on the ball and couldn’t find the rhythm in the first half. Liverpool dominated the second half showing urgency at times but failed to capitalize from opportunities. David De Gea saved United on a few occasions to take away a point from this crucial encounter.

Here are the talking points from the fixture:

1. Liverpool failed to click

The Reds have managed to register one of the highest goalscoring returns this season but failed to score today, only the second time they’ve done it this season. They had 66% possession and a good number of passes but they failed to recreate what we’ve come to observe as their trademark quick attacking movement. They were too sloppy in possession, giving it away cheaply and didn’t press the opposition as much as they usually do.

2. Lacklustre United yet again

Another game in the season and another disappointing performance from the Red Devils. A fixture that could’ve given them the bragging rights over their arch rivals turned out to be a rather dull affair where the visitors defended well but were almost non-existent in attack. The absence of Martial and Mata hurt their creative side all too much with Ibrahimovic finding himself isolated on a number of occasions. They almost got lucky after a few errors made by the Liverpool defence but should’ve and could’ve done more.

3. Pogba fails to shine yet again

The £89 million summer signing Paul Pogba had another day to forget in the Red Devils’ jersey. The midfielder found it difficult to adjust to the gameplay and was even wrestled out of play many times. The only positive play from him was a cross in the final third that Ibrahimovic failed to head home. In the second half, the midfielder was playing further forward in support of Ibrahimovic which saw him receive the ball quite less and have no effect on the game whatsoever.

4. Lallana a crucial part of Klopp’s plans

Liverpool’s starting lineup indicated that they might play with a handbrake and not to their full attacking capabilities. Coutinho failed to create many chances and the build up often had something missing. With Lallana coming on later in the second half, the change in gameplay and the urgency Liverpool showed brought back some amount of excitement to the match but it wasn’t enough for them to take home all the three points. The Reds looked a significantly more dangerous side in his presence and Klopp is sure to have taken notice of this.

5. Standings

Liverpool had the opportunity to move joint top of the Premier League today but missed their chance and now find themselves in 4th spot, two points behind Manchester City and Arsenal and a point adrift of Tottenham.

Manchester United on the other hand are falling behind the pack once again and finish matchweek 8 in seventh spot, five points adrift of city rivals Manchester City and Arsenal. Next week will be crucial for them as they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a match they have to win to make up for the lost ground.