EPL: Liverpool return to top after United draw

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League but had to settle for a point from a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in which Manchester United lost three players to injury before half-time.

In a game of high tempo but few chances and only three shots on target, neither side could find the sort of quality in their final pass that might have proved decisive.

Liverpool had an opening in the first couple of minutes, David De Gea getting a hand to Ashley Young’s back pass under pressure from Roberto Firmino to give away an indirect free kick, but James Milner’s shot was blocked.

Mohamed Salah was then swiftly closed down as he received possession just outside the area before United came forward but Marcus Rashford slipped as he shot from an angle and Alisson claimed easily.

In a predictably frantic start, a Salah run ended with a low cross that was deflected through to De Gea before Luke Shaw gave the ball away but United cleared their lines.

With 15 minutes gone, Joel Matip set off on a run inside the United half and was brought down on the edge of the area, but Salah curled a wayward free kick well over.

A crisp Liverpool move down the left ended with an Andrew Robertson cross that flashed through the penalty area, and United readied themselves for an early change, Alexis Sanchez warming up with Rashford limping.

The home side’s problems deepened, Ander Herrera suffering a hamstring problem, and they made a change after 21 minutes, Herrera coming off and Andreas Pereira on.

Rashford, who had shrugged off that earlier knock, raced down the left to start a move that won United a corner, but it came to nothing and a resulting Liverpool counter broke down when Juan Mata dispossessed Salah before Milner was booked for fouling Paul Pogba.

Mata, also limping after a knock, then had to hobble from the action, Jesse Lingard replacing him as Solskjaer made a second enforced change before the half-hour.

And soon Liverpool had to make a substitution, Firmino – who appeared to have suffered a muscle sprain – replaced by Daniel Sturridge.