Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana has kept another clean sheet in a lacklustre English Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield concluded in a goalless draw, leaving both sides without the required quality to secure victory. The Reds’ ascent to second place in the league table, one point behind leaders Arsenal, was marred by a missed opportunity as they failed to capitalize on their dominance over United.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool accumulated 2.35 expected goals (xG) compared to United’s meager 0.63, underscoring their superiority in attacking prowess. Throughout the game, Liverpool had numerous chances, with defensive stalwarts Van Dijk and Konate going close in the first half. Mohamed Salah, a constant threat, forced four saves from United’s goalkeeper, Onana, who also made a crucial denial of Diaz’s close-range attempt in the second period.
While United were considered rank outsiders for this derby, they could have stolen the win late in the game through Hojlund if the striker had not fired straight at Alisson. A moment of frustration marred United’s performance when Dalot received a brainless dismissal, getting sent off for successive acts of dissent. This added a touch of drama at the end but did not alter the scoreline.
Despite the draw, Liverpool’s position improved as they now sit second in the league, clear of third-placed Aston Villa on goal difference. However, Klopp will reflect on this match as a missed opportunity to close the gap with Arsenal. United, now in seventh place, managed to hold on, alleviating some pressure on manager Ten Hag after a challenging week.
Looking ahead, Manchester United faces West Ham on Saturday, while Liverpool hosts Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash for their next league outing. The historic rivalry between these two football giants at Anfield continues to be marked by intense battles, with four of the last eight Premier League encounters ending goalless. Liverpool’s attempts, a record 34 shots in this instance—were in vain, creating a unique statistic for the Reds in a game where they failed to find the back of the net.
Despite the draw, Liverpool remain unbeaten in their last eight Premier League home games against Manchester United, showcasing their stronghold at Anfield in clashes between the two rivals.
