Road block at Anfied as Man United hold Liverpool to a barren draw 0-0

Liverpool and Manchester United played out a goalless draw at Anfield on Monday as Jurgen Klopp’s men missed the chance to move level on points at the top of the Premier League table.

Chances were almost non-existent in the first half but Zlatan Ibrahimovic spurned the best opening of the first hour when he contrived to head Paul Pogba's curling cross away from the Liverpool goal.

David de Gea and Antonio Valencia superbly deny Emre Can as Liverpool continued to do most of the attacking work, with the introduction of fit-again Adam Lallana from the bench adding renewed impetus to their approach, and the Spain number one clawed a thunderous Philippe Coutinho strike away from the top corner 10 minutes later.

Liverpool regained a degree of composure and enjoyed the majority of possession late in the half but United's disciplined rearguard restricted the hosts to two shots on goal - their joint-lowest tally in the first half of a home league game since 2003-04.

Coutinho was denied a stunning winner from 30 yards when De Gea leapt to his left to palm the Brazilian's dipping shot past the post - a save that even drew applause from Klopp on the touchline - but there was to be no late winner at either end.

The result takes Liverpool to within two points of league leaders Manchester City, while United are three further back in seventh place.