United View: Much-needed point at Anfield

Off the back of elimination from the Champions League and the disaster against Bournemouth, a goalless draw at Anfield isn’t a bad result.

Despite Liverpool having 34 shots, they rarely put Manchester United in any real danger, as Erik Ten Hag’s men defended well.

It was a much-needed point for United, becoming only the second team this year to prevent Liverpool from scoring at Anfield and the first to avoid defeat there this season. So, while celebrating a draw may seem like a fall from grace, avoiding defeat is still a good result given the Red's current turmoil.

Jurgen Klopp even praised United’s defensive passion in his post-match interview saying, “The way United defended was obviously not perfectly organised or whatever but they showed a lot of passion and when a team defends with passion they fly into everything and you produce these moments.”

It’s been lacking from United’s game this season and Erik ten Hag’s side has been too easy to play against for much of the campaign. Sunday was by no means perfect, but it at least showed the team can grind out a result when necessary.

The trio of Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Johnny Evans were all key to this, utilising their combined experience to limit their hosts to very few clear chances. Varane in particular stood out, begging the question of why he’s been absent from the team for so long.

The former French international has to stay in the team right now. While the manager prefers others for their build-up play, Varane is the best central defender at the club and has been good since his reintroduction to the team, a true professional.

While United were more defensively sound this game, there is still a lot to be desired upfront. The front three that started at Anfield – Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund – have only two goal involvements combined this season.

Hojlund had the best chance of the game, but his right-footed effort was saved by Alisson, who is an expert in 1v1 situations to be fair. Although the Danish international hasn’t scored in the league, he isn’t getting much service either.

He has a lot of patience from fans, who recognise he is still a very young forward and did manage to score five goals in the Champions League. His lack of goals is a worry but it's more damning of United’s recruitment in recent years that they are relying on a 20-year-old to be their primary goalscoring option.

United are also trusting 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, who once again showed his quality on Sunday. In only his third start for the Reds, he offered so much composure on the ball, even creating two chances for United. He too has to remain in the team right now.

It once again feels like survival mode for Manchester United, but Ten Hag has a knack for finding a result when his position is under threat. The performance at Anfield was evident that he still has the backing of his dressing room.

And hopefully, when the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro return from injury it will be a turning point for United’s disappointing season. Two players who were both instrumental to last season’s success.

The team will need to keep this resilience going as they next travel to West Ham before welcoming Aston Villa on boxing day. Two tough games before their final match of 2023 away to Nottingham Forrest.

Escaping Anfield unscathed is about as good as United can do right now. They’ve shown they can defend well when needed, but they also need to show they can be just as effective at the other end of the pitch.