Liverpool: Erik ten Hag needed this. A 0-0 draw at Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday won't win any beauty pageants, but a stubborn and battling performance at Anfield suggests Manchester United's players are up for the fight.
On too many occasions this season, the opposite has looked to be the case. "You have to fight always for the badge," United manager Ten Hag said. "The way we defended it was almost perfect. When we made a mistake there was always a teammate to sort it out. I think that is the big win from today. We have to keep this and bring this every game."
United had folded at the home of its fiercest rival when routed 7-0 on its last visit in March. With Ten Hag facing speculation over his position and his team eliminated from the Champions League at the earliest stage, he upset the odds to end Liverpool's 100% 11-game winning run at Anfield this season and also put a dent in Jurgen Klopp's bid to win the Premier League title.
A draw saw Liverpool knocked off the top of the table and into second place by Arsenal, which beat Brighton 2-0 and travels to Anfield on Saturday. Ten Hag will be more concerned about United's fortunes and, while a gutsy display will not shut out talk of a crisis at Old Trafford, it gives the Dutch coach something to build on.
"We play in very high highs and also sometimes in very low lows," he said. "If you want to achieve something in a season you can't be below certain limits so we have to get the consistency." It was a frustrating day for Liverpool, which dominated the possession and chances, though Rasmus Hojlund's second-half effort from close range for United was arguably the best opening created by either team.
"The main thing I don't like is the result, we should have won the game," Klopp said. "I can't remember this kind of dominance against Manchester United as we did today. It was special, the atmosphere was special." It was United's first draw in the league this season, having won nine and lost seven of its 16 games going into the match.
The result leaves Ten Hag's team six points off fourth-place Manchester City. Second-place Liverpool is one point behind Arsenal and above third-place Aston Villa on goal difference.
ARSENAL ON TOP
After leading the Premier League for 248 days last season without going on to win the title, Arsenal looks like a serious challenger again. Mikel Arteta's team moved back to the top of the table on Sunday after a 2-0 win against Brighton and Liverpool's draw. Arsenal had made the most of defending champion Manchester City's surprise draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday and the weekend got even better for Arteta as Liverpool dropped points as well.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both scored in the second half at Emirates Stadium to extend Arsenal's advantage over fourth-place City to five points.