Liverpool v Manchester United LIVE: Latest rating as Cody Gakpo squanders large probability
Liverpool host Manchester United in the Premier League this afternoon as the league leaders looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, with the fixture set to go ahead despite heavy snow overnight.
A second safety meeting was held just before midday to determine whether the clash could be staged at Anfield after an amber weather warning was issued for much of the north of England. And the go-ahead was given with the situation improving in the city after runways had earlier been closed at both Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport amid widespread travel disruption.
With the fixture on, Arne Slot’s side will be looking to further seize control of the title race. More dropped points for Arsenal yesterday only strengthens Liverpool’s position with a game still in hand on their rivals. Things are rather less buoyant at Old Trafford at the moment with the arrival of Ruben Amorim not transforming Manchester United’s fortunes. The visitors have won just two league matches since he took over in November, with recent losses to Wolves and Newcastle illustrating the scale of the job on the Portuguese’s hands.
Follow all the latest news from Anfield in our live blog below:
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
United’s corner is cleared and Liverpool look to counter, but they’re penalised for a foul in their half. United’s free-kick comes to nothing as the offside flag is raised.
Moments later, Dalot is booked for dragging back Salah.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
“It isn’t saying much but Manchester United have started better than they did against Newcastle.
“There is more solidity in midfield with Ugarte and Mainoo. That said, Liverpool then carved out two fine chances in swift succession, one for Cody Gakpo and one for Alexis Mac Allister.
“And then it started to feel a question of how long United can hold out.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
Just as that comment was posted, United manage to break Liverpool’s high line, and Dalot finds himself bearing down on the box. He flicks a ball across goal towards Amad Diallo, but the Ivorian can’t get a clean header on it and it ends up going behind him, before Mainoo sees his shot defected wide.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
Wasteful from United as Dalot’s ball to Fernandes runs out of play. Very little threat from the visitors, as we’ve come to expect in recent weeks.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
Great play from Mac Allister, who skips past a challenge before feeding the ball forward to Salah, who can’t make the space to free Gakpo.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
Another couple of chances for the hosts, who are beginning to dominate. The first comes in to Gakpo, who pokes wide with his weaker foot when 1-v-1. Moments later, Salah clips in a lovely diagonal cross that Mac Allister volleys straight at Onana.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
Half a chance for the hosts. they work it wide to Salah, whose cross is cleared by Martinez straight to Alexander-Arnold. He sees his shot blocked by Martinez before he lays it off to Diaz, who fires well over.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
De Ligt is searching for Hojlund with a long ball over the top, but Alisson is off his line quickly to clear. Not a lot happening for either side in attack so far.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
The hosts still look supremely comfortable on the ball, but they’re in no rush to try and force the issue at the moment. It seems like they’re waiting for the right time to pounce – in the reverse fixture, that came when United lost the ball in their own half.
United look slightly more comfortable on the ball than last week, but again they have created nothing in the final third.
Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
Liverpool’s first foray forward sees Salah cut inside Dalot and deliver in a diagonal cross, which Maguire does well to cut out.
Moments later, Salah wins a corner, and it’ll be Alexander-Arnold to deliver – Onana manages to punch clear, and United avert the danger for now.
