Liverpool vs Manchester United; 5 Key Talking Points
Manchester United came to Liverpool with every intention of repeating what they did last season - and just like last season it took a David De Gea super-save and an inexplicable miss from the United no.9 for the game to end 0-0.
De Gea's save off Matip was otherworldly (he remains United's most impactful player) while Lukaku will be kicking himself for missing the one chance he got during a lonely, lonely, afternoon in Anfield
#5. Liverpool miss the thrust of Mane, United the poise of Pogba
As entertaining as Liverpool are with Phillippe Coutinho pulling the strings and Mohamed Salah making those dazzling, dancing, runs of his, they are substantially more effective without Sadio Mane in their side. The Senegalese's direct approach and potency in front of goal would have lent this result a different tint.
Meanwhile, as good as United's defensive organization was, they were hopeless in possession - except for that one beautiful move that led to Lukaku's chance - and that's where they missed the poise, vision, and pure footballing skill of Paul Pogba. Had the Frenchman been there, the Liverpool midfield might not have been able to dominate just as much as they did.