Liverpool vs Manchester United

Well I was really looking forward to this game, just hoping that it wouldn't replicate last year's game. Unfortunately I was left disappointed as once again Mourinho set his team up to defend and despite all of Liverpool's pressure, there was only a few moments where they looked especially dangerous. Here's my match report on a very disappointing game of football.

There was alot of excitement going into this game, the two biggest teams in England going head to head. Unfortunately it failed to live up to the hype once again as Jose once more set his team up to defend in a big away game, with Klopp and his Liverpool side unable to do anything about it.

After a fairly Liverpool based opening, it was the home side who had the first presentable opportunity as after a Moreno cross towards Salah was headed away, the following cross from Firmino back into the same man was just missed by the Egyptian. Despite Liverpool having most of the ball, they can't do much with it as United continue to sit back.

However United were presented with a half decent chance as when the ball came back to United's defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic, ringing memories of the scorcher against Spurs in the FA Cup semi-final, he blazed it just over and wide of the Liverpool goal. Again a half chance, but they've been far and few between half an hour into the game

Not for long however as only 5 minutes later, the tempo is upped as from a corner, the ball finds Moreno who finds a worryingly free Firmino who beats his man and crosses to Joel Matip which brings out an incredible save from David De Gea, but it wasn't over as a rushed Phil Jones clearence found Salah who stole it off of Coutinho, only to smash it wide. A rare crazy period in what has been a pretty subdued game.

10 minutes later however, United are presented with a glorious opportunity as after some lovely interchanging football between Mkhitaryan, Martial and Lukaku, the latter hits a shot which is parried away by Liverpool keeper for the day Simon Mignolet. One could argue Lukaku could do better though as he did hit it at a very good height for Mignolet also striking it quite centrally, not exactly making it much harder for the Liverpool keeper. 

Then came the halftime whistle which brought an interesting game of football to an end. Alot of Liverpool possession but only a few chances to tell for it as United have spent the majority of the game sat in their own box. I'm sure the neutrals will be hoping for a better second half.

The second half got underway, in very similar fashion to the first. Liverpool possession, but United sitting back. Then after about ten minutes of Liverpool possession, they finally created an opportunity as after a good Joe Gomez cross, the ball fell to Emre Can who shot over the bar from around 8 yards out. Massive opportunity for Liverpool, certainly one of their biggest of the game so far.

Five minutes later, there was a small moment of controversy, or massive moment by this game's standards, as Coutinho is brought down by Herrera on the edge of the United penalty area. No penalty as the referee for the day Rowan Atkinson waves it away. In my, and many people's, opinion, it wasn't a penalty and it seems the referee got it spot on as looks as though Coutinho was looking for it.

However from then on, very little happened. A few tame shots and crosses from Firmino, Can and Chamberlain respectfully were easily dealt with by De Gea and his defense, really being the story of the remainder of the game. The full-time whistle was met with applause from both sets of fans. Liverpool fans rightly appreciating the effort they put into the game while the United fans were evidently just happy with a point.

MOTM: Mohammed Salah

Despite being subbed off with 15 minutes left, Salah was a constant threat whenever he got the ball. Despite missing a presentable opportunity after an excellent De Gea save, he gave the United left back Darmian nightmares with his incredible close feet and composure.