Manchester United became the first team to stop Liverpool winning at Anfield this season after their goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday evening.
Premier League
Result: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
Date: 17 December 2023
Venue: Anfield
Man United were without the suspended Bruno Fernandes while Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial were injured and with Marcus Rashford only fit enough to make the bench, Rasmus Hojlund was recalled to lead the line alongside Alejandro Garnacho and Antony.
The Reds, meanwhile, recalled Ibrahima Konate to partner Virgil Van Dijk while the front trio of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz was trusted to continue up top.
Liverpool were on the front foot early on, as they pinned United in their own half and they had a couple of half chances that unsettled goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Unable to carve out clear openings, Jurgen Klopp's charges almost broke the deadlock around the half-hour mark from a set-piece after Van Dijk's header at the back post was parried strongly away by Onana after a corner by Virgil Van Dijk.
Jurgen Klopp's troops had the upper hand even towards the end of the first stanza but they were not ruthless in front of goal, as the sides went to the half-time break without goals.
The second stanza continued to be tense, with chances few and and far between and on the hour-mark, Klopp made a tactical change, as Joe Gomez replaced Dominik Szoboszlai and the move allowed Alexander-Arnold to move from right back into midfield.
The switch by the German manager almost paid off just six minutes later as Alexander-Arnold came very close to breaking the deadlock with a low cracking strike from outside the box that missed the bottom corner agonizingly wide.
Liverpool had the momentum after that, completely in United's half and they had a big chance 16 minutes before time after Diaz was played through on goal but the Red Devils were so committed in defence that two defenders and Onana rushed to block the Colombian's shot.
United, who were under immense pressure, had a nervy moment in the dying minutes after a ball hit Luke Shaw's hand in the box but the referee waved played on and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not get involved.
With the game on the edge in stoppage time, the visitors finished the game with ten men after Diogo Dalot got two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent and was sent off.
Liverpool dropped down to second on the table, one point behind leaders Arsenal.
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