Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Liverpool vs Manchester United LIVE: Premier League result and reaction after Diogo Dalot red card late on

Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United: Jurgen Klopp’s side were frustrated by the visitors as Erik ten Hag’s men held on to claim a point

Ben Fleming
Sunday 17 December 2023 19:32 GMT
Comments
Ten Hag on backing from the club and pressure

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Liverpool missed the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table as Manchester United frustrated their rivals at Anfield to earn a battling point for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag.

The Reds dominated possession but were sloppy on the ball in what was a poor contest, with Trent Alexander-Arnold going closest with a shot from outside the box that narrowly crept wide of the post.

United defended deep and grew in threat as the match went on, with Rasmus Hojlund forces a save from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson in the second half. Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was far busier but wasn’t seriously tested despite a series of effort from the hosts. United’s Diogo Dalot was sent off in stoppage time for dissent towards referee Michael Oliver.

Liverpool started the weekend top but slip down to third following wins for Arsenal and Aston Villa on Sunday. United, who drew a Premier League game for the first time this season, are seventh but avoided a third straight defeat after losses against Bournemouth and Bayern Munich this week.

Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips for the match right here:

Out come the players

Liverpool’s new stand has finally been opened so this game will see the biggest attendance in Anfield’s history. What a day for it and those out on the pitch in Red will be hoping to send those fans home happy.

The home side are the heavy favourites but football is never that simple. What have United got up their sleeve? Let’s find out...

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 16:29

Kick-off coming up shortly

We’ve got under ten minutes to go now and the atmosphere is feverish inside Anfield right now. A huge 90 minutes coming up for both sides - who will prevail?

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 16:22

Erik ten Hag returns to scene of his greatest humiliation aiming to save Manchester United job

Erik ten Hag has not subjected Manchester United’s squad to a video nasty. Or not this particular one, anyway. Ten Hag can show his players clips from previous games; he used footage from their win over Chelsea to prepare for Bayern Munich.

Revisiting March’s 7-0 thrashing at Anfield, however, is not on his agenda. “I don’t think it’s the right thing [to do],” the United manager said. “Last year, it was the past. What we can change is the future.”

Both the past and the future have a pertinence, however, as Ten Hag returns to the scene of United’s heaviest ever defeat to Liverpool. Nine months ago, he had a team in ripe form, one that had won a trophy a week earlier.

He had a fit Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, but both will miss the rematch. He had Bruno Fernandes available, but now his captain is suspended. He had Marcus Rashford in such form that the forward went to Merseyside with 17 goals in his previous 20 games; now he has not scored in open play for more than three months. Then he faced a Liverpool team eight points behind United.

And still his side lost 7-0.

A final chance to read Richard Jolly’s preview for today’s crunch fixture:

Erik ten Hag returns to the scene of his greatest humiliation aiming to save his job

Liverpool were 7-0 winners the last time United visited Anfield. Another embarrassment by their fierce rivals could spell the end of the road for Ten Hag as manager

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 16:18

Liverpool vs Manchester United

Not only must they face their demons from a nightmare 7-0 defeat last time out, Manchester United will have to overcome their horrendous record at Anfield if they are to triumph today.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League home games against Manchester United (W4 D3), winning the last two by an aggregate score of 11-0.

Ominous signs...

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 16:13

Mo Salah’s time to shine?

The Egyptian likes playing against United. In fact, Salah has scored 12 goals in 12 games against Manchester United for Liverpool; the most goals he’s scored against an opponent for the club, and the most goals any Liverpool player has ever scored against the Red Devils.

Will he add to that tally today?

(EPA)

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 16:08

Liverpool vs Newcastle

Just under half an hour to go now and the stage is set. We should be in for a cracker today in Merseyside...

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 16:04

Donny van de Beek confirmed for another loan spell away from Old Trafford in January

He’s back on the bench today but it looks like it’s nearly the end of the road for Donny van de Beek at United after he agreed to join Eintracht Frankfurt on loan in January.

The Netherlands international will move to the Bundesliga club, providing he passes a medical, and Frankfurt will have an option to buy him in the summer.

Van de Beek, who has 18 months left on his United contract, has only made 62 appearances in three-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford.

Donny van de Beek confirmed for another loan spell away from Old Trafford in January

Donny van de Beek is set for another loan move away from Manchester United

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 15:59

Jurgen Klopp reveals the ‘truth’ behind Liverpool’s vulnerability during rebuild

Jurgen Klopp has dismissed the chances that Liverpool will thrash Manchester United 7-0 again by branding it a “once in a lifetime” result and a “freak”.

Liverpool recorded their biggest-ever victory against United in a rivalry that dates back to the 19th century when Erik ten Hag’s team visited Anfield in March. And an injury-hit United, who have lost 12 games in all competitions and been knocked out of Europe, go to Anfield again on Sunday to face Klopp’s league leaders.

But the Liverpool manager is adamant there will not be a similar scoreline, saying: “The 7-0, it was a freak result that happens once in a lifetime.

“If you take it all out of consideration and just play a football game against the historical rival of Liverpool at home at Anfield and that itself must make it a special game and that’s what I want to see from us, a special game. Really understand the situation and give your all: that’s all I need.”

Jurgen Klopp reveals the ‘truth’ behind Liverpool’s vulnerability

The Reds boss has also dismissed chances that his side will repeat last season’s 7-0 hammering of their bitter rivals, describing that result as ‘once in a lifetime’

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 15:52

Erik ten Hag believes depleted Manchester United can defy the odds at Liverpool

United have several injuries and suspensions to deal with today, with Maguire and Fernandes the latest to be unavailable for this clash. However, Ten Hag still maintained a positive attitude in his pre-match press conference and believes his side can defy the odds.

“They are playing good, no doubt,” Ten Hag said of Liverpool, who began the weekend top of the Premier League – 10 points ahead of their sixth-placed visitors.

“But we have had some tough games in the last period, as Bayern is also a very tough team. We have seen that we can go head-to-head with them and that is our challenge for Sunday as well.”

“We are preparing the team in the best way we can. We are confident we can put out a team who can win there.”

Ben Fleming17 December 2023 15:45

Liverpool vs Manchester United - team news

Liverpool have unexpectedly made nine changes from their youth-filled side that was beaten in Belgium on Thursday.

Only Waturu Endo and Ibrahima Konate have kept their place, while Jurgen Klopp has kept faith with Darwin Nunez as he starts in the front three.

On the other hand, Erik ten Hag makes two changes, but Marcus Rashford remains on the bench.

Harry Maguire, who was injured during the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich was replaced by Jonny Evans, and 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo has been selected in place of Bruno Fernandes, who is suspended.

Sonia Twigg17 December 2023 15:37

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in