Liverpool vs Man Utd Player Ratings as defenders shine but strikers struggle

Liverpool and Manchester United drew 0-0 at Anfield on Sunday, as they cancelled one another out in their Premier League showdown.

Liverpool were without Joel Matip in defence due to injury again and Jurgen Klopp elected to go with captain Jordan Henderson alongside Fabinho, as he did in the loss to Southampton in their last league game, rather than inexperienced youngster Rhys Williams.

Thiago made his Anfield debut five months after arriving from Bayern Munich, while Xherdan Shaqiri was a surprise choice in midfield, ahead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

United arrived at Anfield top of the table for their meeting with the champions and emboldened by Anthony Martial being passed fit to play.

The Frenchman started wide on the left with Marcus Rashford through the middle and Paul Pogba, surprisingly, down the right.

Liverpool started brightly, but the first half was a game of few chances, with the most notable issue being Rashford's four offsides – equalling the most in an entire Premier League game thus far this season.

Mohamed Salah fired just wide on the hour mark, via a deflection, when he perhaps took an extra touch, while Bruno Fernandes dipping effort was easily fielded by Alisson shortly after.

Fernandes should have scored with 15 minutes remaining, as the Portuguese arrived onto Luke Shaw's cutback, but his shot from 10 yards was saved by the feet of the Liverpool 'keeper.

Alisson made another smart stop late on to deny Pogba from eight yards, after the unmarked Frenchman latched onto Aaron Wan-Bissaka's cross.

David de Gea denied a long-range effort from Thiago as both sides settled for a point.

Here's player ratings from Merseyside…

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Alisson 7: Swept up smartly on a number of occasions in the first half when little else was asked of the Brazilian, before making a number of saves in the second half – including denying Fernandes with his feet and Pogba from close range.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 6: Screamed at twice early doors by Klopp over his positioning early on. At times was perhaps guilty of trying too hard with his forward passing, but still played a number of excellent crossfield balls and defended pretty well.

Jordan Henderson 6: Passed the ball out from the back well, switching crossfield to start a number of moves. At times uncertain with his positioning but nowhere near enough questions asked of him defensively for it to matter.

Fabinho 8: Another fine performance at the heart of defence from the former Monaco man.Made a number of key interceptions to stop United attacks in their tracks and kept pace with Rashford in a foot-race when he looked to be heading clean through. Booked for a cynical challenge on Cavani. MOTM

Andy Robertson 7: The Scot was, as always, in constant motion up and down the left flank. Visibly enjoyed making Pogba chase him back early on and played a number of fine balls into the penalty area.

Xherdan Shaqiri 5: A surprise starter as part of a central midfield three. Busy early on before being booked for a foul on Shaw as he closed on Liverpool's penalty area. Faded.

Thiago 7: Starting at Anfield for the first time, his swivelling hips and subtle shimmies set the early tempo. Passed smartly from the base of midfield and also waltzed past Fred on a number of occasions, one of which drew a good save from De Gea.

Gini Wijnaldum 5: A game where the industrious Dutchman got through plenty of work, but you can't really put a finger one anything of real not that he did. Busy and energetic, but for the most part, ineffective.

Mohamed Salah 5: The Egyptian actively sought responsibility and tried to take the game to the away side, but it wasn't his day again. Hesitated when a fine opportunity presented itself on the hour mark.

Roberto Firmino 5: Typically produced a couple of nice touches to link play in midfield, but always seems to be arriving half a second late in and around the penalty area right now.

Sadio Mane 6: The Senegalese was probably the man most likely to find a winner for a Reds teammate. A couple of eye-catching runs down the left side, but never really able to get into a position from which to score himself.

Subs Used: Jones (Shaqiri, 76') Origi, (Firmino, 85'), Milner (Wijnaldum, 89')

Subs Not Used: Kelleher, N Williams, R Williams, Phillips, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino.

Manchester United (4-2-3-1)

David de Gea 6: What the Spaniard needed to do, he did well. Eye-catching save from Thiago, but there was little out there to really trouble him.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7: Gave as good as he got up against Mane, and also got forward to good effect at times – notably picking out Pogba for the chance that should have won United the game.

Victor Lindelof 7: Questions were asked of the Swede's selection before the game, but he did more than enough to justify Solskjaer's selection. One fine clearance in the second half which would have been a clear shot on goal for a Liverpool striker if he hadn't made it.

Harry Maguire 7: Everything that was asked of the United captain in his penalty area he had an answer to. Headers and clearances were his stock in trade throughout, but he also positioned himself diligently for the most part, to ensure he wasn't susceptible to quick one-twos.

Luke Shaw 8: A really smart performance from the United left-back who battled gamely throughout against Salah and should have had an assist when his fine cutback found Fernandes. Diligent defensively and good with the ball.

Fred 6: Hustled and harried in midfield and helped relieve early pressure by picking up the ball and advancing through Liverpool's press with it.

Scott McTominay 5: Similar story to Wijnaldum. Strong and solid in patrolling in front of the back four, cleared his lines well when he dropped into his own penalty area, but little of real quality from the Scotsman.

Paul Pogba 5: Started on the right-wing chasing Robertson back towards his own goal, before becoming more influential for the visitors as the game progressed. A couple of opportunities to play the killer pass he'll wish he could have back – not to mention the game's best opportunity.

Bruno Fernandes 4: Given his usual high standards, a really disappointing day for the Portuguese. Didn't do enough defensively against Thiago early doors, there was little of his usual cut and thrust and he missed a fine chance, putting it straight at Alisson.

Anthony Martial 4: Whether he was fully fit only Solskjaer and his staff will really know, but he didn't look it. Having been the No.9 for much of the season, it was strange to see him start wide, and he failed to make any impact whatsoever.

Marcus Rashford 5: Started as the focal point of the attack rather than wide left, but frustrated teammates in the first-half with a number of mistimed runs in behind. Became more involved when switched to the left.

Subs Used: Cavani (Martial, 60'), Greenwood (Fernandes, 89')

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Tuanzebe, Telles, Bailly, Matic, Van de Beek, Mata, Greenwood

Will either side win the Premier League this season? Have your say in the comments.

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