Considering the level of pre-match hype, this was a disappointingly flat contest lacking intensity or technical quality. But then that was precisely what José Mourinho wanted: Liverpool had created chances and scored goals at a staggering rate this season, and United blunted the home team impressively for long periods. Mourinho has been doing this in away matches at big clubs for much of the past 12 years, and while legitimate questions have been asked of his attacking blueprint, defensively he remains a fine coach.

José Mourinho criticises ‘cautious’ Liverpool after bore draw at Anfield Read more

There was little complex about Mourinho’s approach, and United’s primary strategy was ensuring they did not pass their way into trouble. David de Gea always kicked long, throw-ins were chucked down the line, and the centre-backs barely ever had the ball. Eric Bailly played just 14 passes, Chris Smalling only seven – whereas the Liverpool centre-back duo, Dejan Lovren and Joël Matip, played 92 and 70 respectively.

United were desperate to prevent their duo being caught on the ball, or their passes being intercepted – they did not want to remotely encourage Liverpool’s pressing. In fact, if anything, United’s pressing high up the pitch was more successful than Liverpool’s, as the home side’s goalkeeper Loris Karius experienced a couple of nervy moments with the ball at his feet.

Once United had cooled the tempo they started to frustrate Liverpool with their possession play, too. Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera were not pressed aggressively by Liverpool’s midfielders, and were happy to play sideways passes without attempting much penetration.

United’s attacking approach was basic, with few signs of genuinely dangerous possession play, and depended largely upon Paul Pogba, in a more advanced role than he has been accustomed to at the top of the midfield trio, pushing forward to link up with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That combination created the game’s first clear-cut chance, 10 minutes into the second half, when Pogba’s cross was met with a curiously misjudged header from the Swede.

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba fails to live up to price tag in draw at Liverpool Read more

Liverpool were more purposeful in possession, particularly with the positioning of their full-backs. Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner attacked, which meant Marcus Rashford and Ashley Young were pushed backwards, at times meaning United often looked like they were deploying a back six. This allowed the full-backs, Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind, to stick tight to their opponents, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané.

Daniel Sturridge was quiet in the first half, miscontrolling one long ball in behind, and lurking on the outside of United’s centre‑backs without directly influencing play. Worryingly for Sturridge, Liverpool looked brighter after his departure on the hour. Adam Lallana replaced him and played in the centre‑left midfield role, with Coutinho pushing forward to the left flank and Firmino moving upfront.

There was suddenly excitement down the left: clever movement inside from Coutinho, quick passing from Lallana, Firmino making sudden movements towards the ball to drag the centre-backs out of position. There had been a growing feeling that Sturridge simply does not suit Jürgen Klopp’s system, both with and without the ball, and this underlined that impression. For their next big game it would be a surprise to see him in the starting XI.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest David de Gea denies Roberto Firmino. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA

Despite an underwhelming contest there were plenty of good performers here, particularly for United. Herrera was outstanding in a screening midfield role: anticipating the play well, making crucial interceptions and making 12 tackles, the most of any player. Young perfected the ‘defensive winger’ role Mourinho wants in big games, winning all six of his tackles, and it would not be a surprise to see him become a regular in games when Mourinho wants to shut down attacking full-backs.

David de Gea ensures Manchester United hold Liverpool in stalemate Read more

Bailly continues to impress with his reading of the game and covers behind his fellow defenders excellently, while Valencia’s last-ditch tackle on Firmino in the closing stages underlined his improvement in his relatively new position of right-back. De Gea, meanwhile, made two outstanding second-half saves.

Of course the fact all these players were in defensive positions, or performing defensive roles, rather summarised United’s display – this game will not live long in the memory.