United frustrate Liverpool in disappointing derby

The draw leaves United alone at the top of the table on 20 points although Manchester City, who are now a point behind, can regain first place when they host Stoke City later on Saturday.

Those hoping for a classic blood-and-thunder clash of the two most successful clubs in English football were probably being overly optimistic but few would have predicted such an uninspiring 90 minutes at Anfield.

“Manchester United came here for a point and got it,” Liverpool manager Klopp said in a television interview.

“For sure you could not play this way at Liverpool but it’s OK for Manchester United,” he added.

United manager Jose Mourinho’s team selection suggested that, as last season, he would adopt a cautious approach to taking on Klopp’s side.

Instead of Spanish craftsman Juan Mata on the right, the more defensively diligent Ashley Young started in the role and Marcus Rashford, carrying a slight knock from England duty, was left on the bench.

With United’s Romelu Lukaku left alone - and isolated - in attack and French forward Anthony Martial shunting up and down the left with little inspiration, United sat deep and waited to see what Liverpool could do with the possession.

The answer was not very much.

Brazilian Philippe Coutinho drifted into pockets of space and from time to time threatened to produce something eye-catching, while Egyptian Mohamed Salah’s pace and dribbling caused some awkward moments for United left-back Matteo Darmian.

But those glimmers of flair were not enough to create any sustained pressure on United and, as the second half drifted towards a goalless draw, neither side could find another gear or the inventiveness to create a clear opening.

Liverpool’s best chance came in the 35th minute but United keeper David De Gea pulled off a superb save with his legs to keep out a shot from Joel Matip and Salah’s follow up was wide.

United created little beyond a Lukaku shot two minutes before the interval which was well dealt with by keeper Simon Mignolet.

The only half-chance of a poor second half came when Liverpool’s Emre Can tried to get on the end of a floated ball from Jose Gomez but could not turn his effort goalwards, clearing the bar with his volley.

Mourinho denied he had set out to earn a point and suggested he had been waiting in vain for Liverpool to open up.

“For me, the second half was a bit of chess, but my opponent didn’t open the door for me to win the game,” said the United manager.

The result was only the third time Liverpool have kept a clean sheet this season but leaves Klopp’s side with just one win from their last eight matches in all competitions.

United have equalled their best points total from the first eight matches of a Premier League season, last achieved in 2012.