Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United: 5 Talking points as Man United keep hold of the first spot

Manchester United made a visit to Anfield to lock horns with their arch-rivals, Liverpool. The sport led to a 0-0 draw as not one of the workforce was capable of break the impasse.

Manchester United took their factors tally to 37 and are nonetheless the league leaders. However, some extent for Jurgen Klopp and his males signifies that they keep on the third place however can drop to the fourth spot if Manchester Metropolis wins their recreation towards Crystal Palace tonight.

Listed here are the 5 speaking factors from the sport:

5. Boring recreation after all of the build-up

‘The sport of the season.’ ‘A attainable shift in energy.’ ‘A correct soccer recreation for neutrals.’ In actuality, it was a boring recreation. Each Liverpool and Manchester United have been too cautious to take any danger for big components of the sport.

It looks as if the 2 groups had the identical plans of taking the sport deep until the hour-mark after which look to attain objectives. Liverpool was too irritating upfront and Man United simply not had the incisiveness they’d proven throughout counter-attacks. 

The house aspect was dominant within the first half. They’d a lot of the ball and have been seeking to create one thing. However United’s astute defending compelled them to take the pictures from distance which ended up nowhere close to De Gea’s goalpost. Man United awakened within the final 20 minutes and pushed for a winner. However, it was too late for the guests to indicate any sort of intent.

4. Alisson saving the day for Liverpool 

If not for Alisson, Liverpool’s residence file of going 67 video games unbeaten would have damaged. The Brazillian worldwide proved to be the primary distinction between Man United and three factors.

Within the seventy fifth minute of the sport, Luke Shaw drilled a low cross which discovered Bruno Fernandes within the six-yard field. Bruno tapped the ball in direction of the purpose however Alisson’s fast response to the shot stored the ball away from the web. 

After 8 extra minutes, Paul Pogba collected Aaron Wan Bisaaka’s low cross with an exquisite first contact. However, he went with the ability and ended up capturing straight to the physique of the large goalkeeper. This was one of the best likelihood of the sport and probably, might show to be a really important one if United and Liverpool are discovered preventing for the title within the month of March-April.

3. Time to reward Luke Shaw

Gamers thrive on competitors. Being comfy will not be at all times an incredible factor for you and that is what Luke Shaw has proven previously 4 weeks. Luke Shaw’s inconsistent performances and his failure to assist the workforce offensively raised doubts over his long-term keep at Outdated Trafford. Solskjaer signed Alex Telles from FC Porto to infuse some competitors for the left-back spot. Now it looks as if an ideal choice. 

Because the arrival of Alex Telles, Luke Shaw has raised the bar of his performances. His outing immediately was simply one other instance of that. The English left-back gained 100% of his tackles, had 100% lengthy go accuracy, gained 8 ball recoveries, and made 4 clearances. He didn’t give an inch to Mo Salah to make runs and efficiently blocked any area by means of which he might have taken a shot.

2. Liverpool simply can’t rating!

We all know that Virgil Van Dijk is injured however how is that affecting the type of Firmino, Salah, and Mane? Roberto Firmino had two large half-chances immediately in every half however he failed to search out the again of the web each of the occasions. It’s been greater than 350 minutes when Liverpool has scored a Premier League purpose. Their final purpose got here towards West Brom in a 1-1 draw. Since then, they drew 0-0 and misplaced 1-0 to Newcastle and Southampton respectively. Aside from Diego Jota, each ahead participant is presently out there. There’s some concern within the front-line and Klopp wants to resolve it as quickly as attainable.

1. Manchester United keep prime, for now

‘For now’ could be very pivotal right here. Man United has amassed 37 factors in 18 league video games to sit down on the prime of the desk. They’ve a two-point lead over second-placed Leicester Metropolis. However, Manchester Metropolis’s current successful run has taken them to fifth place with 32 factors.

They nonetheless have two video games in hand to play. They play Crystal Palace tonight and can conflict with Aston Villa within the midweek. If Pep Guardiola and his aspect win each these video games, they are going to leapfrog United to take the first spot on the league desk.