5 talking points as Liverpool frustrated by dogged Man Utd in Anfield draw

17 December 2023 , 18:24

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Liverpool were frustrated by Manchester United as the hosts failed to make territorial dominance count at Anfield.

Nine months on from the 7-0 humiliation they suffered at the hands of their great rivals, United turned in a much more disciplined display which admittedly featured a bit of fortune as the hosts floundered in front of goal.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate came close to breaking the deadlock from set-pieces, with Trent Alexander-Arnold dragging a shot narrowly wide from range. United largely relied on counter attacks, although Alisson was required to make a smart save from Rasmus Hojlund.

Substitutes Joe Gomez and Cody Gakpo came close late on, before Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second bookable offence in the game's closing stages. Here are the game's main talking points.

1. Liverpool's intense identity

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Amrabat and Man Utd struggled to deal with Liverpool in the opening stages (AP)

It might be harsh to describe Sofyan Amrabat as a rabbit in the headlights in the first few minutes, but there was certainly something shining in his eyes. Liverpool were at their intense best in the game's opening moments, belying a tendency to often concede first this season and tearing around the pitch in a manner that the Moroccan and co just couldn't handle.

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There were six corners in the first 20 minutes alone, and with United insisting on playing out from the back the level of Liverpool's pressing only raised the volume, with the Reds kicking towards the Kop end in the first half as they usually don't prefer to do. As the famous stand rocked, it certainly set the tone here.

2. A lack of fluency in attack

Darwin Nunez cut a frustrated figure in the first half (PA)

Despite that pressure though, Liverpool were unable to make it count in front of goal in the first 45 minutes, with a lack of fluency in attack costing them on too many occasions when it came to the last pass or finding space for a shot.

Coming into the game only one of Liverpool's last nine Premier League goals had been scored by one of their forwards - Mo Salah's deflected effort at Crystal Palace last weekend - and with the right-sided link-up between the Egyptian, Dominik Szoboszlai and sometimes Darwin Nunez not functioning as well as it did earlier in the season, attacks were too often petering out and failing to end in a quality attempt.

Nunez, too, became more and more frustrating the longer the half went on, with his tendency to be needlessly offside rearing its head late in half, resulting in a groan from Jurgen Klopp as he turned to face the rest of his bench. The attacking issues also quietened a previously boisterous home crowd too, with the half drifting somewhat.

3. Man Utd's bluntness all too apparent

Rasmus Hojlund was often ignored by his team-mates (Paul Currie/REX/Shutterstock)

Liverpool's issues in attack paled into insignificance compared to United's though, with Rasmus Hojlund so often overlooked by his team-mates and Antony and Alejandro Garnacho willing but weak on the wings. Indeed, the most animated the Brazilian got in the first period came in the form of a spat with Kostas Tsimikas.

United's issues upfront have been there for all to see this season, and while Hojlund clearly has promise it is far too much to ask him to lead the line with so little help, particularly when it seems that he is so readily ignored by those who are supposed to be aiding him, with his second half chance an example that he needs confidence in his game too.

4. A renewed Red Devils resilience

Erik ten Hag saw a much improved display from his side (Paul Currie/REX/Shutterstock)

So it wasn't quite the 7-0 again, but then it was never likely to be of course. United had never had a better invitation to turn up to Anfield and just be solid, but they still deserve immense credit for the effort they put in.

Question marks will always be around the Erik ten Hag reign for as long as they don't show anything like the attacking ability of previous United sides, but there was a desire and a will to fight for each other here, and you wonder what the suspended club captain made of it.

5. Title points dropped

Take everything away from the nature of the contest, and this was simply two title points dropped by a Liverpool side who haven't played well for a good few weeks now.

The Reds were disjointed increasingly looked less sure of themselves as they tried to break down their hosts. Having seen Man City drop points on Saturday this was a wasted opportunity.