Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United recap: How Jose Mourinho parked the bus again

United held Liverpool to a goalless draw for the second time in a row.

Here's how it went down.

14:50: Joel Matip has been discussing THAT sensational David De Gea save.

"It was a great save by De Gea," he told Sky Sports.

"I have to score – we win this game if I score. His reaction was brilliant.”

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield

14:35: A fairly predictable outcome. Mainly a snooze-fest in the warm autumn sunshine. United will no doubt be happier with the point than Liverpool.

It's the first time they have failed to score this season – and they created only one chance - but they always regard a point at Anfield as a decent result, given the historic rivalry between the clubs. 

Lukaku's run of scoring in nine consecutive games for club and country came to an end. He was fairly anonymous - although he did have United's once chance -  but he was starved of the ball thanks to United's cautious approach.

It’s one win in eight games in all competitions for Liverpool now but they will take some encouragement from the clean sheet, they created the better chances and the fact that Mourinho showed them showed them so much respect.

The biggest cheer from United fans was four Louis Van Gaal who was at the game working for Dutch TV and completed his post-game analysis right in front of the travelling support..

Now it's up to City to beat Stoke and take a two point lead in the title race for the first time this season.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Seth: Moron-ho parks a double decker again. Manchester United always the minnows when they play away to a big team. Liverpool by far the better team.

She: If parking the bus is an art Tony Pulis does it better than Jose Mourinho.

Uche: Have to wonder when Jose Mourinho will ever feel brave enough to attack big teams away from home. So much money spent. Same old negativity.

14:30: Manchester United have produced two shots on target in their last two visits to Anfield. Probably not worth waiting up for on MOTD.

14:25: So Manchester United leapfrog rivals Manchester City into top spot, temporarily at least. Pep Guardiola’s side host Stoke at the Etihad at 3pm. Liverpool draw level on points with Arsenal in sixth position.

LIVERPOOL 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED

FT: Final whistle. Manchester United and Liverpool have battled their way to another 0-0 draw at Anfield.

93: Last chance saloon! Liverpool have themselves a corner. It’s delivered… Matip heads over. I think we're done here folks.

92: Victor Lindelof replaces Ashley Young for the final few seconds.

91: Silent inside Anfield as precious seconds tick away. Jose Mourinho’s side have been pretty poor with the ball, but it looks like they’re going to collect a valuable point.

THREE MINUTES ADEDDED TIME

90: Danger! Liverpool have themselves a corner in the dying seconds. Oxlade-Chamberlain to take… Lovren nods over.

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield

89: Coutinho, Salah and Firmino were taken off presumably to spare muscle fatigue after international duty and long flights but with their departures you felt that was it for Liverpool's hopes of a victory to kick-start their season.

A surging run by Can opened up United for once but he couldn’t get enough power on his shot which was saved by De Gea. Looks like both teams will have to settle for a point. And that will be what Mourinho has come for.

88: Slight moment of panic as David de Gea’s clearance skims off Jordan henderson’s back. He gets away with it, but Ashley Young is booked for a late challenge. On comes Dominic Solanke for Roberto Firmino.

86: Emre Can with a brilliant drive forward. The German midfielder sprints through the heart of Manchester United’s midfield but David de Gea gathers his weak effort.

85: Has Martin Atkinson forgotten his cards? Matteo Darmian escapes a booking for a high-boot on Alberto Moreno. He was actually closer to connecting with his own player.

83: Nearly an instant impact from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The winger glides beyond Matteo Darmian before seeing his whipped cross cleared. Things are getting pretty tense here folks.

80: Double change from Jurgen Klopp. On come Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge for Mo Salah and Philippe Coutinho. 10 minutes to make an impact as Liverpool hit the attack button. Not sure about that myself...

78: Crowd don’t like that. After a sustained period of pressure Salah decides to strike from the better part of 30-yards away. Skewed it.

75: Where’s Peter Crouch when you need him! Roberto Firmino sends a looping cross across the six-yard box, but it’s a little too high for Mo Salah to nod home at the back post.

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield

72: Lingard should give United some much needed attacking drive and pace. Mkhitaryan had been fairly anonymous.

And so should Rashford after coming on for Martial who got a warm handshake and a nod of approval from Mourinho has he came off. 

The France youngster didn't do much going forward but played his part in helping Darmian out against Salah.

The more the game stays like this the feeling is that United, having been under the cosh for most of the game, might just nick one.

70: Neat footwork from Mo Salah at the edge of the box creates space to shoot but it's over from the newly appointed King of Egypt…

68: Ah, it’s almost like Jose Mourinho is reading the blog. On comes Marcus Rashford for Anthony Martial.

66: And here’s the first change. Jesse Lingard replaces the utterly anonymous Henrikh Mkhitaryan. I wonder how long it’ll be before we see Marcus Rashford thrown into the mix.

65: Liverpool want a penalty, but they’re not getting one. Ander Herrera clumsily sticks a leg out on Philippe Coutinho, who hit the deck. Martin Atkinson shook his head immediately.

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield

62: Second half started in same vein as first - Liverpool pressing and probing and looking the more likely team to break the stalemate.

Firmino fired into the side-netting, De Gea saved from Coutinho although the flag was already up and Can has just missed the best chance of the game - volleying over from six yards from Gomez's cross.

Jose's has had some 'banter' with some Liverpool fans near his technical area - and its ended with him shaking the hand of one supporter.

60: Matteo Darmian with a foul throw. And now Smalling and Herrera have just clattered into each other. United REALLY need to pull their socks up.

59: Apparently Liverpool haven’t scored a goal in the last 15 minutes of any Premier League game this season? They’ve got 16 minutes to grab one on that basis.

And it nearly arrived! Emre Can volleys narrowly over from point-blank rage after a delicious cross into the six-yard box.

56: Flag is up! Coutinho produces a divine ball to play Firmino through, but the forward was fractionally offside. De Gea saved anyway… of course he bloody did!

54: Not an impressive start from Jose Mourinho’s side. Lukaku is being marked out of the game and nobody’s capable of retaining possession for any significant period.

51: Liverpool knocking at the door. Philippe Coutinho has been running the show. He lays it off for Firmino, who bangs a deflected strike into the side-netting. The corner is wasted.

48: Phil Jones you lucky, lucky boy. The centre-back loses his head and passes straight to Philippe Coutinho, who almost finds Roberto Firmino in the middle. Luckily for him, the offside flag was raised.

45: We’re back underway folks. No changes for either side. More of the same? I expect so, yes.

HT: OK, so that Romelu Lukaku on Dejan Lovren incident. Initially it looked like nothing, but a different camera angle shows his heel DID make contact with the defender’s face. Still an overreaction though.

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield

HT: No great surprise that its goal-less at the interval although Liverpool have been the more dangerous team. 

United though fashioned their best move of the half seconds before the break with Mkhitaryan, Lukaku and Martial exchanging passes before Lukaku's shot was parried by Mignolet - his first save - with Moreno clearing before Young could pounce on the rebound.

Needs to be a bit more of that from United and Rashford - despite a knock on international duty - is likely to be introduced before the end.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Brendon: Joel Matip probably in the dressing room still shaking his head at that David De Gea save. Perfect example of a save that's as good as a goal.

Ben: Manchester United are actually so poor without Marouane Fellaini, joke about him all you like he’s vital for them to win games.

Ryan: Ander Herrera is a quality player, but this was the worst half of his entire United career. Needs to sort himself out for 2nd half.

LIVERPOOL 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED

HT: Nothing to separate them at the break. And that’s mainly thanks to David de gea, who stopped a certain goal from Joel Matip.

45: Dejan Lovren goes down clutching his face after a collision with Lukaku. I’ll need to see that again. No action taken.

44: Should be 1-0 United. Romelu Lukaku is slipped clean through but his snapshot is palmed away by Mignolet. Crucial stop from the Liverpool keeper.

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield

42: Outstanding - and very much trademark - reaction save by de Gea - outstretched leg to stop Matip's close range effort. Salah should have left the follow-up to Coutinho but he took it off his toes and fired wide.

The game has livened up a bit - and needed to. 

A frustrated Lukaku has just upended Gomez but Atkinson has decided a word rather than a caution is enough much to the anger of the Kop.

40: Gary Neville on THAT David de Gea save: “De Gea is absolutely brilliant. He has just produced a world-class save. Lukaku was lazy in getting out and Firmino smashed it across goal for Matip. Wow, what a save.”

39: “OFF OFF OFF” the Liverpool fans cry as Romelu Lukaku ploughs through the side off Joe Gomez. The Belgian is clearly growing frustrated and probably should have been booked for that.

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield

38: It's cagey like last season's 0-0 draw - Liverpool are on the front foot but are running up against a well-organised United defence.

It took 25 minutes for United to get the in-form Lukaku in the game. He skipped past Lovren but then over-hit his cross. Matic has just had their first shot, it's well-hit but has swerved just wide. 

Salah and Coutinho are buzzing around but United look fairly comfortable at the moment. Given their current situations, a 0-0 would no doubt suit Mourinho more than Klopp. 

Remember, Jose has only lost one of his seven Premier League visits to Anfield with Chelsea and United.

37: How’s that NOT gone in?! Unbelievable save from David de Gea.

Firmino steps past Matic before sending a cross to Matip, whose first-time flick is saved by De Gea’s outstretched leg.

Mo Salah knocks the rebound wide but that was quite simply stunning. MOTD worth watching for that alone.

35: I see it took around 30 minutes for Martin Atkinson to be trending on Twitter. That’s roughly 29 minutes longer than Mike Dean’s record… United fans aren’t happy with his performance, but I don’t think he’s done too much wrong.

33: Ooooshhhh! Ashley Young nips behind Alberto Moreno, but the onrushing Nemanja Matic can’t reproduce his Wembley heroics and lashes a half-volley wide.

30: Shots on target: Liverpool 3 - 0 Manchester United. Possession: Liverpool 73 - 27 Manchester United.

29: I can see quite a few people on Twitter saying Jose's bus is parked up already. I’m not sure it’s quite that bad, but United’s attack need to hold the ball up better.

27: Lukaku gets into his first threatening position of the match as he glides past Moreno but his cross is struck far too hard.

25: United living dangerously. Firmino knocks a deep cross back into the area with a helpful deflection off Darmian, but Salah couldn’t adjust his feet quickly enough to direct it goalwards.

23: United can’t get out here. It’s all Liverpool at the moment with Romelu Lukaku completely anonymous. Gary Neville thinks Mo Salah looks anxious. The king of Egypt needs to settle down a tad. 

20: Encouraging signs for Liverpool as Joe Gomez marauds into the United box. His effort was blocked but Liverpool are clicking through the gears. Do you click through gears? No, it’s shift. I’ll launch disciplinary proceedings against myself for that error later.

18: Wijnaldum beats Darmian far too easily before forcing De Gea into a fairly routine stop. It was never going in, but you wouldn’t want to afford Coutinho the same luxury.

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield

15: United will hope Herrera can do as successful a man-marking job on Coutinho as he did on Edin Hazard when Chelsea visited Old Trafford last season. 

He's going to have to be careful though. with his first challenge he chopped down the little Brazilian and Martin Atkinson won't stand for too many of those before the book comes out.

United won a couple of early corners but Liverpool have come to life and Matip has just fired the first shot of the game high and wide.

13: I see Sir Alex Ferguson is in the house. Bet he got a lovely welcome on his arrival…

Anyway, Joel Matip, who’s the only Liverpool player to have played every minute this season, shoots miles wide with a speculative 25-yard effort.

10: Wijnaldum and Firmino play a neat one-two before the former Newcastle star pokes one straight at David de Gea. Seconds later, Mkhitaryan goes down the other end and squares one for Lukaku, but Lovren flicked it clear.

8: Liverpool seeing more possession, as expected, with Manchester United buckled down in their rigid shape. No chances to speak of but the game’s being played at a frantic pace.

5: It’s a man-marking job for Philippe Coutinho folks. Jose Mourinho has clearly asked Antonio Valencia to stick to the Brazilian like glue. I seem to remember Jose doing the same thing with Herrera and Hazard last year.

3: Talk about a fiery atmosphere. My eardrums are ringing already, and it goes up a notch as Antonio Valencia wins the first corner of the match. Matteo Darmian collects and drags one wide from 25-yards.

LIVERPOOL 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED

1: We’re underway folks. Manchester United are wearing grey shirts for today’s fixture. Don’t mention THAT Southampton game…

Updates from our reporter Richard Tanner, at Anfield.

12:29: If the atmosphere was a bit lack-lustre half an hour ago on an unusually warm day for mid-October, the sight of Kenny Dalglish has ramped it up. 

The former Liverpool star and manager - arguably Liverpool's greatest ever player -  had the old Centenary stand named after him yesterday and has just saluted the crowd from the centre of the pitch in front of a huge mural spelling out "The King."

12:28: All the talking is done folks. The players are emerging from the tunnel now to a stonkingly loud rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone. You’ll do well not to be intimidated by that.

A huge banner is being unfurled by the fans in the newly-named Kenny Dalglish Stand, and the man himself is now out on the pitch to take in the applause. Don’t worry, he’s not brought his boots with him.

12:25: Quick reminder of those starting XI’s folks…

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Salah, Coutinho, Firmino.

Subs: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge, Solanke.

Manchester United XI: de Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Darmian, Ander Herrera, Matic, Young, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Lukaku.

Subs: Lindelof, Mata, Lingard, Blind, Rashford, Romero, Tuanzebe.

12:20: Twelve months ago Liverpool were brilliant up front and posed so much of a threat that Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was content to 'park the bus' at Anfield and leave with a goalless draw.

After seven games last season Liverpool had scored 18 but that has dropped to 13 from seven this time around, although the number of chances they are creating has not fallen.

Not being able to convert has, arguably, cost them as much as not keeping a clean sheet. Klopp remains confident they will get through their current drought, although they will have to do so without the injured Sadio Mane.

12:15: Gary Neville: “Yeah, big test. Manchester United have not played anybody in the top six. If they want to win the league, this is the place to give you the confidence to do it.

“You looked at Romelu Lukaku. What he’s done so far has been what has been asked of him, to actually win the games, convert the draws from last season.

“But now, just looking at him now with his hood up, this is where you’ve got to deliver, Anfield away. Liverpool away, ultimately that is the real test. It is a real test, it’s a test of your mentality, a test of everything really.”

12:10: I’m surprised to hear that only six Liverpool players have been shown red cards against Manchester United in the Premier League. Can you name them?

OK, I don’t like playing this game online. The answers are; Hyypia, Shelvey, Owen, Murphy, Gerrard & Mascherano (2). Give yourself a pat on the back.

12:05: “There he is, the fella who nicked me job!”

That was quite an awkward little exchange between Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.

Quick handshake, a couple of words spoken with the usual Van Gaal expression of confusion and disapproval, and then Mourinho walked off with a frown.

Like a father meeting his daughter’s new boyfriend for the first time…

12:00: Is that Louis van Gaal I see at Anfield. Where the hell has his clipboard gone?! Or are those two guys with him carrying two of them on his behalf?

11:55: Things are a bit simpler with Liverpool's formation with only Emre Can and Roberto Firmino returning. In fact, I’ll just let Jurgen Klopp explain it himself.

He said: “I thought it makes sense to bring in a strong line-up and in the end that was the result. I’m happy. We know Sadio’s not available and that is not the best news, but when all the other boys came back in good shape, feeling good and looking forward to the game it was not too difficult.

“I have to say, a few decisions were close because a lot of players were in good shape before we left for the international break, but it was a decision for today and I hope it will work out.”

11:50: I think I’ve done you a disservice folks. It appears that Jose Mourinho is actually playing with three at the back with Matteo Darmian joining Chris Smalling and Phil Jones at centre-back.

That would leave Antonio Valencia at right-back and Ashley Young deployed at left-back.

In short, I have no idea what formation Jose Mourinho is playing today…

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Paul: Seriously can't see Liverpool getting the result today even though they are at home united just look too good and too strong.

Tom: Interesting to see Ashley Young starting in a more attacking position. Also looking forward to seeing Phil Jones and Chris Smalling together.

Paul: I am not a one for criticising Liverpool players too much, but I have seen enough of Alberto Moreno and feel enough is enough!

11:40: Jose Mourinho has been tinkering folks. Three changes to be precise.

The lesser-spotted Matteo Darmian starts at left-back while Ashley Young, who always starts at Anfield, is deployed in the winger role.

Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial also start with Marcus Rashford (who’s got a knock) and Juan Mata dropping to the bench. Marouane Fellaini is out injured.

Few eyebrows raised at the absence of Eric Bailly, but Manchester United have confirmed that he sustained an injury while on international duty.

11:35: Right, let’s start with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp has made two changes from the side who drew 1-1 with Newcastle before the international break.

Roberto Firmino and Emre Can replacing Daniel Sturridge and the injured Sadio Mane.

Elsewhere Alberto Moreno keeps his role at left-back despite calls for Andrew Robertson, who’s not in the matchday squad.

11:30: Here’s those starting XI’s folks. I see Roberto Firmino is back for Liverpool.

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Salah, Coutinho, Firmino.

Subs: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge, Solanke.

Manchester United XI: de Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Darmian, Ander Herrera, Matic, Young, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Lukaku.

Subs: Lindelof, Mata, Lingard, Blind, Rashford, Romero, Tuanzebe.

Referee: Martin Atkinson.

11:28: Couple of minutes until those starting XI’s arrive folks. I’ll bring them your fast as fast as my sausage fingers can type.

11:25: Soccer AM have already had Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher sparring this morning. Not literally obviously, although I think Carra would walk it…

Anyway, they’ve both delivered their predictions with Neville opting for a 1-1 draw, while Carragher, well, I think you know what he went for.

“I think there has been a lot of pessimism from Liverpool supporters going into the game,” Carragher said.

“They haven’t been on a great run. But I just think with Manchester United coming, the atmosphere, being at home. I think it’s going to be a very tight game, it always is against Jose Mourinho’s teams. But I think Liverpool by one goal. I’m going to go 1-0.”

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Ben: I know Liverpool normally turn up in these big games, but I just don’t see it today. Manchester United are much better than us.

Chris: Hope Jose starts Anthony Martial today. He's in great form and imagine the impact on the crowd of Marcus Rashford coming on in the second half.

Rishi: Sadio Mane is a big miss for Liverpool. Mo Salah and Philippe Coutinho need to be at their best for Liverpool to get something out of this game.

11:15: And that’s exactly why he’s lost the captain’s armband in my Fantasy Football team…

Last season's United leading man Zlatan Ibrahimovic wasted a glorious chance to snatch victory at Anfield.

This time it will be Romelu Lukaku leading the line, with the 24-year-old looking to become the first player to score eight goals in his first eight Premier League game for United.

To do that, he will need to up his game against Liverpool. The former Everton striker has scored just once in his last seven matches against the Reds, failing to muster a shot on target in five of those games.

11:10: It might seem all doom and gloom at Anfield at the moment, but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful because Jurgen Klopp boasts a brilliant record when they face fellow members of the Premier League's 'big six'.

OK, they lost 5-0 at City after being reduced to 10 men but that was only the second defeat they had suffered in 20 league meetings with those five sides since the German took charge in October 2015.

They have won nine of those games, which equates to a win percentage of 45 - considerably higher than the figure for each of the other five clubs over the same period.

11:05: I’m going to do the preview bit here. Not that Sky Sports haven’t rolled out every statistic since 109 BC in their 1432-day build-up…

Manchester United are second in the Premier League, level on 19 points with neighbours Manchester City, but so far Jose Mourinho's side have yet to face any of last season's top five.

Six wins from their opening seven games, with 21 goals scored and only two conceded, have raised expectations at Old Trafford, but the coming weeks should give a stronger indication of just how ready United are for a real push for the title.

Meanwhile Liverpool's defence is the stick with which Jurgen Klopp gets beaten.

His side conceded 42 league goals last season, second-worst in the top seven, and have already shipped 12 this campaign. Only rock-bottom Crystal Palace and West Ham have conceded more.

11:00: Good morning folks, welcome to our LIVE coverage of Liverpool vs Manchester United.

Is it safe to come out yet? I’ve felt like Tom Hanks in Cast Away during the international break. Saying that, I think I would rather talk to Wilson about the weather than watch those two dreadful England games again…

But salvation is here as the Premier League returns with a BANG. BANG. BANG.

Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp go head-to-head at Anfield in the most eagerly-anticipated match of the season.

Let’s get going!

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Forward Sadio Mane will miss the visit of Manchester United after being ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring problem sustained on international duty.

Philippe Coutinho is likely to be pushed forward to replace him with Emre Can coming back into midfield.

Midfielder Adam Lallana continued his recovery from a thigh strain in Qatar this week as he edges closer a comeback.

MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS

Marouane Fellaini looks set to miss Manchester United's crunch Premier League clash.

The Belgium midfielder suffered a knee injury on international duty and joins fellow midfielders Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba on the sidelines.

Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic continue to recover from serious knee ligament injuries, but Jose Mourinho indicated that Phil Jones and Romelu Lukaku are available.

PROVISIONAL SQUADS

Liverpool squad: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Coutinho, Karius, Gomez, Klavan, Grujic, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge, Solanke.

Manchester United squad: De Gea, Romero, Pereira, Valencia, Darmian, Tuanzebe, Lindelof, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Young, Matic, Herrera, McTominay, Mata, Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Rashford, Martial.

HISTORY

Last season: Man Utd 1 Liverpool 1, Liverpool 0 Man Utd 0

Last five league matches: Liverpool W L D W D; Man Utd W D W W W

Top scorers (all competitions): Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 6; Romelu Lukaku (Man Utd) 11