Two things Ten Hag got right as Man Utd frustrate Liverpool in defensive display

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    Of course it would be Manchester United to spoil Liverpool's lethal run at Anfield.

    The Merseysiders failed to win on home soil for the first time this season after running into the Red Devils, who held them to a 0-0 stalemate on Sunday. And United chief Erik ten Hag deserved his share of the praise for pacifying the would-be Premier League leaders in a goalless draw his side will be much the happier with.

    United were missing a raft of key men at Anfield thanks to injury and suspension but still stole a share of the spoils against one of the best team in Europe. And Daily Star Sport looks into some of the things Ten Hag got right and wrong in a tense battle between bitter rivals.

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    A Liverpool blitz threatened to unravel United in the opening minutes of Sunday's clash before Ten Hag's team found some (relative) safety. And that was in no small part thanks to the strategy set out by their commander-in-chief.

    Sofyan Amrabat in particular had a heavy hand keeping the Merseysiders at bay playing in front of a defence that somehow managed to hold its assailants at bay. Jonny Evans in particular attracted praise for his pirouettes in front of his own goal, repaying his manager's faith in the absence of an in-form Harry Maguire.

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    It's a real shame Bruno Fernandes was suspended for the clash given he could have been just the creative conduit needed in Ten Hag's midfield. And it's a harsh truth that the same tactics which allowed United to remain competitive for so long at Anfield in many ways prevented them from competing.

    At least in the sense of having any real ambition of their own in front of goal, with Rasmus Hojlund absolutely isolated up front and starved of attention. The Dane had his chance to break the deadlock not long after the hour mark but came up short against Alisson.

    Opting for a much more offensive gameplan might have seen the guests bullied out of the game before it had even reached the halfway point. But at the same time, the regressive tactics also felt so very un-United.

    While it may have been a move forced out of necessity, Kobbie Mainoo's return to United's starting line-up brought major cause for optimism among United's ranks. Not for the first time in recent weeks, the 18-year-old displayed precisely why the powers that be at Old Trafford are quite so excited about his future.

    Operating largely as the deepest sitter among the visitors' midfield three, Mainoo brought the kind of energy in front of defence that would make even Casemiro green with envy. Tough tackling combined with accurate passing and the occasional eye for a lethal ball through showed everything Ten Hag will have wanted from his next big thing.

    Extra points to the youngster for his show to the travelling fans as he was withdrawn in the final minutes, much to Ten Hag's enjoyment.

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    Valid though it may be that United were missing a raft of men on Merseyside, too many fixtures have passed with a feeling the team is merely going through the motions. Appointed as the man to think the club out of such conundrums, it would be a breath of fresh air for Ten Hag to try something unexpected.

    Rather than lesser deputies simply filling in for those first-choice names either injured or out of form, fans may like to see the Dutchman experiment with someone in a new role and potentially stumble on some thing better in the process.

    • Manchester United FC
    • Liverpool FC
    • Premier League
    • Erik ten Hag
    • Jurgen Klopp

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