Liverpool, United share spoils in disappointing draw at Anfield

Alisson pulled off two late saves as Liverpool and Manchester United played out a goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday.

The much-anticipated northwest scuffle had few clear-cut chances and was a largely timid affair until United threatened on the break late on.

The result keeps United atop the Premier League. The hosts, meanwhile, occupy fourth place after Sunday's fixtures, three points below the Red Devils and one adrift of both Manchester City and Leicester City.

Liverpool had the most possession on Merseyside, but United produced better opportunities. Bruno Fernandes sent a free-kick narrowly wide of Alisson's post in the first stanza, while Paul Pogba had the best chance in the second half when his close-range effort was spurned by the in-form Brazilian goalkeeper.

Liverpool struggled with their final ball, and one of their few chances was a hopeful shot from distance by Thiago Alcantara. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Xherdan Shaqiri, and substitute Divock Origi mustered one shot on target between them.

The reigning champions haven't scored in their last three league outings following the weekend stalemate.

"It's football. These things happen," Jurgen Klopp said of his side's goal drought, according to The Guardian's Rob Smyth. "You cannot explain why sometimes this happens. There are moments when you score from all angles, like at Crystal Palace, and then the other moments.

"It's about creating. Create, create, create, and we will score, 100%," he added. "Everybody knows it. It's just a bit annoying in between these moments - not scoring and starting to score again - that you have to talk about it constantly."

Liverpool will try to address their struggles in their next Premier League match against Burnley on Thursday. United travel to Fulham on Wednesday.