A muggy afternoon in Manchester and an uncomfortable one for Liverpool – with the moments nevertheless going their way but not ultimately the outcome; one of those occasions where the discussions will relate to whether it is a point gained or two dropped. For the time being, it edges them back in front of the other club from this part of the world and further ahead of Tottenham. At the end, their supporters were happy – reminding Liverpool are top of the league again.

It had been an opportunity for this team to show those competing with them that they are not going to go away. Though the message was not delivered emphatically, they are where they are with another fixture that bares extra weight than others out of the way.

And yet, there remains feeling of wanting because they could have taken more considering the first half of their opponent, whose rhythm might have been disrupted by three injuries and three substitutions. That did not prove to be the case and United coped well but did Liverpool do enough to make the most of their advantage? In fairness, they were without Roberto Firmino as well after he was taken off earlier than expected but David de Gea, so often a deciding presence in these games, did not have a single shot to save.

Liverpool, though doing a reasonable job of subduing a boisterous Old Trafford before the removal of the first player to leave the pitch in Ander Herrera, could not find necessary quality in the final third of the pitch to enforce their domination of possession.

When they have failed this season, in those three Champions League away fixtures and at Manchester City, an absence of creativity in midfield has usually featured in the analysis. Jurgen Klopp’s selection policy in this area might reflect availability, his respect for the abilities of opponents as well as the demands on the department in his team which expends more energy than any other thus explaining the need for refreshments. Yet the extreme level of change ultimately might also show that he hasn’t quite made his mind up about which recipe works the best. It is clear that he cherishes Georginio Wijnaldum the most - probably Liverpool's man of the match here. If it is a big game and he is fit then he plays. The identity of the other two is less predictable, however. This was the ninth game in a row where he has selected a different combination – and it was one he hasn’t grouped together at all this season.

Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Show all 26 1 /26 Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool David de Gea - 6 Had very little to do, with Liverpool mustering just one shot on target. Action Images via Reuters Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Ashley Young - 7 Not as impressive as Shaw on the other flank but still largely limited Mané’s attacking potential. AFP/Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Chris Smalling - 8 Picked up from where he left off against Chelsea. Now appears to be Solskjaer’s first-choice partner for Lindelof. Action Images via Reuters Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Victor Lindelof - 8 Alongside Smalling, dealt with almost everything Liverpool threw at him. Helped Shaw with Salah when required. Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Luke Shaw - 9 One of his best displays in a United shirt. Shut down Salah, to the point where the Liverpool winger had to be substituted. Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Ander Herrera - N/A His usual tenacious self until he was substituted early on with a muscle problem. AP Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Paul Pogba - 7 His usual tenacious self until he was substituted early on with a muscle problem. Action Images via Reuters Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Scott McTominay - 7 A surprise selection at the base of midfield but coped well as Liverpool failed to exploit his relative inexperience. Man Utd via Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Juan Mata - N/A Another who departed early, without much opportunity to make an impression. Man Utd via Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Marcus Rashford - 6 Clearly felt the effects of an early challenge by Henderson but soldiered on, threatening in glimpses on the break. Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Romelu Lukaku - 6 Fine pass to play Lingard through first half but otherwise offered little and failed to make his presence felt against Robertson on the left. Man Utd via Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Andreas Pereira - 7 Replaced Herrera. Put recent poor displays behind him with a tidy performance at short notice, having not even had time to warm up. AP Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Jesse Lingard - N/A Replaced Mata and then went off injured himself. Had United’s best chance in his 17 minutes on the field but was smothered by Alisson. Man Utd via Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Alexis Sanchez - 6 Introduced late on in the first half but ineffective. REUTERS Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Alisson - 8 Rushed off his line brilliantly to prevent Lingard from scoring and did well when coming to collect aerial balls. Man Utd via Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool James Milner - 6 Preferred at right-back over Trent Alexander-Arnold with mixed results. Did not offer as much going forward as the youngster. Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Virgil van Dijk - 8 Won crucial aerial battles and interceptions. Blocked a goal-bound Pogba effort in the first half. AFP/Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Joel Matip - 7 Largely repaid Klopp’s trust to start in the centre of defence and even ventured forward on occasion, carrying the ball into dangerous areas. REUTERS Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Andrew Robertson - 6 Struggled to break out from left-back and overlap in the way he usually does, though managed Lukaku well. Action Images via Reuters Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Georginio Wijnaldum 7 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool passes the ball under pressure from Andreas Pereira of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford on February 24, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Clive Brunskill Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Jordan Henderson - 6 Battled well in midfield but did not influence Liverpool’s attacking play enough. Replaced by Xherdan Shaqiri late on. Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Fabinho - 7 Switched play and bypassed United’s midfield with several impressive passes in the first half but could not make one count. AFP/Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Sadio Mane - 5 A fitful performance, only threatening in moments and sloppy in build-up play at times. Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Roberto Firmino - N/A The best of Liverpool’s front three until he departed on the half hour mark after rolling his ankle awkwardly. Action Images via Reuters Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Mohamed Salah - 5 A forgettable afternoon at Old Trafford for the Egyptian, a year on from being shut out of the game by Young. Liverpool FC via Getty Images Player ratings from Manchester United vs Liverpool Daniel Sturridge - 6 Replaced Firmino. Had little influence on the game but did register Liverpool’s only shot on target. REUTERS

The organisation between Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho was there but the eye for a key pass was not and this meant Liverpool struggled to create opportunities. There is always a danger with these types of performances, those where one team knows it is on top but then suddenly finds itself behind because of a drop in concentration. That did not prove to be the case because United did not score and though the best chance of the first half was theirs, it was more due to the standard of the service from Romelu Lukaku when he served Jesse Lingard who was denied by the paint-brush hands of Alisson. A superb save by the Brazilian but a warning for Liverpool.

Jordan Henderson was unhappy to be brought off (REUTERS) (Reuters)

Klopp appeared furious with what was happening. On separate occasions, Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane received ear-fulls though it was not quite certain what for. His mood deepened at the start of the second half when Henderson sprinted down the right and should really have spotted Wijnaldum unmarked at the far post but went near instead but did not find Mane.

Klopp’s influence in the first half had been marked by his decision to react to Firmino’s injury by replacing him with Daniel Sturridge and as the afternoon wore on, that began to feel like a mistake, though again Sturridge would be entitled to ask questions about the service he was getting from those behind him.

With twenty minutes to go, Henderson was unhappy with Klopp’s decision to take him off and Klopp identified his frustration, rebuking his captain as he went to sit down on the substitutes bench. You can understand the feelings of both: Henderson had started to influence the game more, he is Liverpool’s leader and he wasn’t going to be around as they tried to get across the line. Yet Klopp knows what happens when the cameras see this sort of incident and the questions that follow.