Harry Maguire felt Manchester United's performance against Liverpool improved as the game progressed on Sunday, and was ultimately disappointed to only come away with a point
The England international once again lead the United defence to a strong defensive display as we emerged from Anfield with a clean sheet. Unfortunately, the Reds were not able to find the back of the net to claim three Premier League points on Merseyside, and the 0-0 draw frustrated our skipper.
“I thought they started the game better than us and in the second half I think we came into it a lot more,”
Maguire told Sky Sports.
“We created the best two chances of the game. On another day, we win the game.”
Our no. 5 was pleased with how United approached the second half away to a side that have not lost a Premier League game at home since April 2017.
“It was cagey, but it was two good teams smashing it,”
Maguire summarised, adding that he thinks Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side should have gone on to win the game.
“We found it difficult in the first half to find a rhythm in the game. They pressed us high, we knew they were coming with a lot of intensity off the ball.
”We spoke about that at half time, we didn't get the rhythm of the ball. It was 0-0 and we thought we could've done a lot better. The second half was a lot better, we created openings and, like I say, we have great good chances, but two great saves“
Solskjaer's Reds remain top of the Premier League table with the draw at Anfield, with Leicester City overtaking Liverpool in second place, although this could change depending on Manchester City's result on Sunday night. Leicester, Liverpool and City find themselves just a few points behind United in a tightly contested table.
“Some people will look at it like that but we wanted to win,”
Maguire answered when asked if a point at Anfield is something United should be pleased with.
“You could see our intent in the second half, we wanted to go on and get three points. I’m sure in the dressing room we will feel a bit disappointed not to come away with three points. But like I say, it’s a point at a difficult place to come, but we move on to get a result next week.”
Although the trip to Anfield won't be remembered as a classic, our skipper still thinks it shows that United have taken steps in the right direction. In nine away fixtures this season, the Reds have won seven and drawn two, meaning we remain unbeaten on the road.
“I think you can see from our performance here compared to how it was here last year [that we've improved],
“ the centre-back said.
”It was a tight and edgy game last year, but we didn’t get on the front foot. In the second half we had the intensity to try and win the game. It shows how far we’ve come. We’re not getting carried away, we need to improve as well, for sure. We’ll work hard, get on the training pitch and get the three points next game.“