Report: Liverpool 0 United 0

Hopes were understandably low after losses at home to Bournemouth and Bayern Munich, but the team turned up on Merseyside full of determination and desire.

Liverpool dominated possession in both halves, but were limited to chances from corners and crosses for much of the 90 minutes, with United's back four of Diogo Dalot, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw unveiling a series of blocks and headers to protect goalkeeper Andre Onana.

United grew as an attacking force after the interval, but Rasmus Hojlund fired our best chance of the contest at Alisson, before Dalot was shown two yellow cards, apparently for dissent, in the dying stages.

But those in the away end were left beaming at the effort and pride shown by our travelling players at full-time, following a difficult week.

FIRST HALF – UNITED RESILIENCE

With memories of March's 7-0 hammering still fresh in the minds of both sets of fans, the hosts made a predictably furious start. But despite a series of early crosses and corners for the home team, United managed to becalm the crowd reasonably well.

There were even flickers of opportunities for Ten Hag's side, via shots by Antony (blocked) and Alejandro Garnacho (too high).

In midfield, some of Kobbie Mainoo's actions hinted at the precocious maturity which has helped him earn the manager's trust, while the defence held firm, and won several offside calls due to its nicely organised backline.

All that acknowledged, the Merseysiders were given numerous opportunities to burst forward, due to panicky passing in the United midfield, and managed 15 shots on goal.

Further up the pitch, Hojlund was an often isolated figure, as our attacking trio struggled for connectivity. The United away end – vociferous once Anfield's early gobbiness had been quelled – were not complaining too much, however. They wanted fight and spirit from the team, and those calls were answered.

Headers from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate (both from corners) were the best of Liverpool's chances, and shots from Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch sailed harmlessly over. But few Mancunians of the red persuasion needed any reminders of the damage done in the second 45 here last term as the half-time whistle sounded.