Manchester United ceded the initiative in the Premier League title race after drawing 0-0 with Liverpool in a drab game at Anfield on Saturday.
Despite his side having previously matched leaders Manchester City stride for stride, United manager Jose Mourinho resorted to familiar spoiling tactics that meant his team registered just one shot on target.
The second successive goalless draw between the teams at Anfield preserved United’s seven-point advantage over Liverpool in the table.
Here, we rate the players from both sides.
SIMON MIGNOLET: A goalkeeper capable of a mistake but held firm to deny United’s only shot on target. 6
JOE GOMEZ: While sometimes unconvincing at full-back, the talented defender kept his composure against fleet-footed Anthony Martial and replacement Marcus Rashford. 7
JOEL MATIP: The steadiest presence in Liverpool’s shaky defence this season, he marshalled the backline and threatened at the other end. 7
DEJAN LOVREN: A divisive player at the back, the Croatia international provided the odd important intervention to thwart United. 7
ALBERTO MORENO: Marauding, attacking but flaws have been exposed before. Looks to have improved greatly this season. 6
GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM: Sometimes goes missing but, like on other occasions, raised his performance against one of the best sides. 7
JORDAN HENDERSON: Liverpool’s captain provided a cool presence in the midfield engine without shining. 6
EMRE CAN: The highly-rated German midfielder shielded the backline but sometimes struggled to make much of an impression in possession. 7
MOHAMED SALAH: Has hit the ground running since returning to English football and pulled United’s defence around, but wasted a fine second-half chance as he tailed off. 6
PHILIPPE COUTINHO: Bumped into the attacking trio in Sadio Mane’s enforced absence, the Brazilian showed some great touches without a killer instinct. 6
ROBERTO FIRMINO: The focal point of Liverpool’s three-pronged frontline made runs that befuddled United’s backline, but looked blunt. 6
SUBS
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN (for Salah, 78): Made an impact down the right against slowing Matteo Darmian. 6
DANIEL STURRIDGE (for Coutinho, 79): Changed the attacking dynamic but did not have time to make an impact. 6
DOMINIC SOLANKE (for Firmino, 86): Last roll of the dice but did not bring a Hollywood ending. 6
DAVID DE GEA: United’s outstanding goalkeeper produced a ridiculous first-half save to deny Joel Matip. At his best at Anfield. 8
ANTONIO VALENCIA: The man in the captain’s armband did not produce as many lung-busting runs down the flanks as usual. Kept his cool defensively. 6
CHRIS SMALLING: In for the absent Eric Bailly, there were a few shaky moments as Liverpool upped the ante but the performance was solid overall. 7
PHIL JONES: Unavailable for England during the international break through injury, he produced a decent display at Anfield. A couple of hairy moments could not take edge off a fine display. 7
MATTEO DARMIAN: A conservative choice at left-back against in-form Mohamed Salah. Started well enough but overawed at times as he slowed markedly. 5
NEMANJA MATIC: A solid presence in United’s injury-hit midfield. Kept it simple but came close with a fizzing effort. 7
ANDER HERRERA: Clumsy in possession at times but sharp in the tackle. Led despite being without the armband. 6
ASHLEY YOUNG: Having been playing full-back recently, Mourinho deployed him on the right wing. Not his greatest performances but was regimented. 6
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN: Unable to show his true capabilities on a tense occasion without much space. Anonymous. 5
ANTHONY MARTIAL: Has come on leaps and bounds this season, attacking with confidence and tracking back. Unable to assert himself fully, though. 6
ROMELU LUKAKU: An isolated figure in attack, he managed just one shot on target in the first half. Somehow avoided entering referee Martin Atkinson’s notebook and failed to make an impact. 5
SUBS
JESSE LINGARD (for Mkhitaryan, 63): Fresh legs helped increase the work rate but United still too disjointed in attack. 6
MARCUS RASHFORD (for Martial, 65): A like-for-like replacement for Martial, struggled to create clear-cut moments. 6
VICTOR LINDELOF (for Young, 90): A chance to kill time and add another layer of midfield protection. 6
