The much talked about high-octane clash between Liverpool and Manchester United ended in a goalless draw. This was only the second time in Premier League history (after September 2005) that a meeting between the two sides failed to produce a goal.
Jurgen Klopp was unhappy with United's style of play and later said, “We knew there would be a lot of high balls, and it was difficult to defend with Fellaini and Pogba there with Ibrahimovic.
"It was one thing they wanted to do for sure, and being a very physical strong team was another. Ok, they may be a little bit better stronger physically than we were.”
Mourinho, however, insisted that they had controlled the game.
"I think it was a very difficult game for us and for them, but I think it was more difficult for them than for us. We kept control of the game for long periods," he told Sky Sports.
"We tried to start really strong in both halves, but they are a good team. They are not the last wonder of the world like you [the media] say they are, but they are a very good team, so we needed to adapt to that."
A defensive masterclass
Much of the talk ahead of the anticipated Liverpool versus Manchester United clash was about how United could stem the characteristic free-flowing style of Klopp. Under him, the Liverpool has adopted an attractive, intense style stamped with Klopp's penchant for high energy levels, quick passing and gegenpressing.
United seemed to have come to Anfield with a definite plan as they took the game to the hosts in the first few minutes. Surprisingly, they pressed high in the initial minutes and closed down spaces very fast to make life difficult for Liverpool to settle into their free-flowing style.
But as Liverpool grew into the game with wave after wave of attack, United stayed very compact in defence and were quick to close gaps for the attacking midfielders. Eric Bailey had another commanding performance while Chris Smalling, his partner in central defence, who also donned the captain's armband and carried out his responsibilities well.
Blind played more as a conventional third central defender on the left with Ashley Young being deployed on the flank mainly because of his defensive prowess. And the outstanding tackle on Roberto Firmino by Antonio Valencia in the second half might well have been a match-saving one.
#2 Mourinho's tactics
Liverpool under Klopp have been on of the teams to beat this season and it is clear that Mourinho came to Anfield for a draw. Though there were times when the Red Devils attacked on the break, they had clearly fallen back on a safety-first approach to make sure they come away with at least a point.
Mourinho's tactics was evident from the way he set up the team at Anfield. Blind who was preferred over Luke Shaw at left-back added up as an extra central defender at times in the game. But the most surprising decision was the selection of Ashley Young who has played very few minutes going into this high octane clash.
Mourinho had told MUTV, "I am probably happier with the Ashley Young situation because to perform like he did today is only possible because he is phenomenal the way he trains."
But the deployment of Young on the flank ahead of the likes of Mata and Lingard was tactical at best. Young provided added insurance for Blind on the left, tracking back at every possible instance to come up with vital clearances.
On the right, Rashford was preferred for his one-versus-one play against James Milner who was playing at left-back. But as even Rashford was prepared to track back to do his defensive duties made it very clear what Mourinho's instructions were.
When Rooney came into the game late into the second half, there was hope that a moment of brilliance from him might change the match. But Mourinho deployed him in a deep role on the right flank and he spent most of the time tracking back to defend.
#3 A quiet day for the attackers
A great performance for defenders meant that the attackers from both the sides had a rather quiet day. Daniel Sturridge was subbed off for Adam Lallana in the second half though the former can hardly be blamed as he simply did not get enough service.
Ibrahimovic at the other end definitely had the better chances including the header that was set up for him sumptuously by Paul Pogba in the second half. But he was rather wasteful and unable to convert the few chances he got in the game.
After scoring with four of his first 15 shots, the tall Swedish striker has now failed to convert from his last 26 shots in the Premier League. But he cut a lonely figure as Liverpool kept on attacking and had to come deep within his half to retrieve the ball.
Speaking to the reporters after the match, the 35-year old said, “It was difficult. I needed to chase the ball instead of attacking the ball, but still I should have put it at least on the target. But the next game, I will do better.”
#4 Attacks canceled out in the midfield
The biggest challenge for United was to stem the brilliance of Henderson, Coutinho, and Firmino who provide the thrust to Liverpool's free-flowing style in the midfield. Mourinho unsurprisingly deployed Herrera, Fellaini, and Pogba in the midfield to counter the threat posed by the Liverpool trio.
United Man of the Match Ander Herrera was brilliant in his role as he came away with most touches of the ball (90) from the match. Though most pundits like to believe that the Spaniard is more suited to an advanced role, he was brilliant at Anfield in pressing fast and closing down spaces for Coutinho and Firmino.
The Brazilian talisman for the Reds tried his best to take on the United defence but had a quiet night by his side as Liverpool had to be content with just a few shots on target despite their overwhelming possession.
United had just 35% of the ball – the lowest possession they have ever had in a league match since Opta started recording the data in 2003-04. Fellaini along with the defenders sat back, happy to concede possession and defend for most of the time. It was classic Mourinho style at its best.
The Portuguese manager said, “Look last season United won here, Liverpool had 14 shots on target and United had one. How many shots on target did Liverpool have today, Two? So two shots with 65 percent possession - you have to be critical because that's their problem, it's not our problem.
"That was the game we planned. We didn’t want to control the game by having the ball all the time. We know that they want to press our first phase and we know that the transition when they lose the ball is really strong and high. We knew it would be very difficult for them to score a goal; what we always thought was that we would score a goal to win the match, which we tried."
The added disadvantage for United in counter-attacks was the abysmal performance by their record summer signing Paul Pogba who was a peripheral figure for most of the match. His physical prowess might have moved Mourinho to play him in the no. 10 role ahead of Juan Mata but the world's most expensive player had a forgetful night in the advanced role in midfield.
Pogba played just 38 passes and his passing accuracy was down to 71 percent. He had only one touch in the opposition box as Mourinho later said that he had expected much more from his French midfielder.
#5 The brilliance of David de Gea
Even though United stayed compact in defence there were some close moments for them in the second half when they looked likely to buckle under the constant pressure from Liverpool. Roberto Firmino might well have scored when he was through on goal but for the outstanding tackle on him by Valencia.
And United were certainly saved the blushes by a couple of extraordinary saves by David de Gea in the second half. The Spanish goal-keeper was called into action in the 59th minute as Emre Can went into the penalty box and managed to negotiate the swarm of United defenders around him to take a low shot on goal from 12 yards.
But despite his view being partially blocked by the bodies around him, De Gea leaped to his right to come up with a fantastic save.
12 minutes later, a visibly frustrated Coutinho single-handedly went across the defenders to unleash a thunderous 30-yard strike on goal. But he was denied by a superhuman effort from the United keeper as he flew across to pull off an incredible one-handed save.
The save left the Anfield crowd and Coutinho staring at disbelief as Klopp applauded the United keeper's heroics from the touchline.
Speaking after the match, the Liverpool manager said, “That is how he plays when he plays us,” Klopp noted afterwards of United’s goalkeeper. “Last year was similar. He loves games against Liverpool.”
