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Manchester United maintained their unbeaten start to the season after holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Saturday.
Liverpool dominated possession for large portions of the match at Anfield but created few openings of note.
David De Gea had to be at his best to keep out a Joel Matip effort from point-blank range, while Emre Can missed a guilt-edged effort after the break.
Romelu Lukaku had United’s best opportunity, but made it too easy for Simon Mignolet to keep out.
Let’s take a look at how the players fared for both the teams.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet: 6/10
Won’t have many easier afternoons. Smart save to deny Lukaku, but otherwise was very much a bystander. Distribution was on point for most of the match.
Joe Gomez: 7/10
Very impressive from the youngster. Dealt with the threat of Anthony Martial very effectively, while offering a real threat on the break.
Alberto Moreno: 6/10
Still never too far away from a kamikaze moment. Looked reasonably competent on the ball and put in plenty of miles.
Joel Matip: 7/10
Had Liverpool’s best chance of the half, but was denied by a stunning stop. Strong on the tackle and gained possession more than any other player.
Dejan Lovren: 7/10
Had several decent chances to score with headers from corners, but couldn’t find the target. Made more clearances than any other player on the pitch at Anfield.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 5/10
Started well, but faded as the match wore on. Actually had the most shots on target in the match, but none of them were ever going to find the net.
Emre Can: 6/10
Will be thinking about his missed chance for a long time. Difficult technique, but having got there he could have done better. Made more tackles than any Liverpool player.
Jordan Henderson: 6/10
Very ineffective. Too many safe passes. Liverpool need him to take games like this by the scruff of the neck. Didn’t create enough.
Philippe Coutinho: 8/10
The best player on the pitch, but couldn’t create that killer chance. Tried everything to unlock United, but his efforts were all in vain.
Mohamed Salah: 7/10
Player of the first half, but faded badly as the match wore on. United couldn’t handle him early on but he disappeared after the break.
Roberto Firmino: 6/10
Completed more key passes than anyone else on the pitch, had more shots, and had most shots blocked. He should have done better with all of such instances.
Substitutes
Daniel Sturridge: 6/10
Couldn’t exert his influence on the game. Looked off the pace.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6/10
One great cross immediately after coming off the bench, but otherwise did little.
Dominic Solanke: N/A
No time to make an impact.
Manchester United
David De Gea: 8/10
Plenty a goalkeeper will make more saves than David De Gea the world over, but what makes the Spaniard one of the best in the business is that he often goes long spells in the game with very little to do, but when called upon, he produces world-class saves time and again.
Matteo Damian: 5/10
Clumsy and cumbersome. Looked solid early on, but his passing was wayward and he looked very vulnerable as Liverpool pressed.
Antonio Valencia: 7/10
Great tackle early on to keep out Coutinho early on, and defended admirably throughout. Not his usual threat on the break.
Chris Smalling: 6/10
Struggled with communication issues throughout. Lucky that Liverpool weren’t as potent as normal. 100 percent pass success rate, though.
Phil Jones: 5/10
Bizarrely, probably his worst performance of the season. His passing was very poor, while his decision making was all over the place.
Nemanja Matic: 7/10
Gained possession more than anymore else on the pitch. He offers so much protection to United’s backline. Never strays far from his position.
Ander Herrera: 6/10
Erratic on occasion, but still won more tackles than any player on the pitch. Proved to be a useful partner for Matic.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 5/10
Barely involved. Provided a great pass for Lukaku’s chances, but did nothing else of note before being substituted.
Ashley Young: 6/10
Seemed to have a personal battle with Martin Atkinson in the first half, but that is about as interesting as Young’s contribution got.
Anthony Martial: 6/10
His footwork was exceptional at times but wasn't given the licence to get too far forward. Excellent defensive contribution.
Romelu Lukaku: 5/10
Starved of service, but when involved it wasn’t pretty. His first touch eluded him and fluffed his lines when it really mattered. Has to step up on the big occasion.
Substitutes
Jesse Lingard: 6/10
Very much a defensive effort, which he did well.
Marcus Rashford: 6/10
Stayed wide and stretched the play, but couldn’t create a winner.
Victor Lindelof: N/A
