While although the entertainment value might have been lower than we all expected, the ramifications of the result could be huge and although Manchester United failed to land a knockout blow on Liverpool, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be pleased at the fact that his players avoided defeat.
In doing so, the Red Devils maintain the current longest unbeaten run in the division, and it is this mark of consistency, which is ultimately proving to be the difference in a season of many dramatic twists and turns.
With all the hype that was generated before the encounter got underway, there was always a danger that expectations were never going to be met and on the evidence of 90 rather lacklustre minutes, you would have to say that this was the case.
Then again, for Liverpool it is more than just 90 lacklustre minutes, especially when you consider that they have failed to score in any of their last three league outings and such a downturn in form, has many now asking a rather pertinent question.
One that simply asks, has Klopp asked too much of his attackers? Because for all the focus on their defence and the patchwork quilt that is has resembled during this campaign, perhaps a greater amount of work needs to be placed on their stuttering attack line.
For all the Merseyside outfits heroic efforts over the past couple of years, there is just a sense that perhaps the well is starting to run dry and although their deadly attacking triumvirate are not playing bad as such, they are nowhere near the levels of previous capability.
An issue that is perhaps steeped in one fact, that Klopp is still unwilling to rest and rotate where necessary and although Divock Origi was afforded some minutes at the end of yesterday’s encounter, it was not substantial enough to offer respite elsewhere.
With the Belgian international coming on so late in the game, it suggests that there is not enough trust in Origi to start and allow one of the usual suspects a much-needed rest, especially amongst such a congested fixture schedule.
Such a downturn in both results and collective performance, has seen Liverpool drop down to a position that is almost alien to them and with the defending champions now lying fourth in the table, there is a sense that their grip on the Premier League trophy may be slipping away.
Then again, even a share of the points looked like it was slipping away on Sunday and were it not for goalkeeper Allison keeping Paul Pogba at bay late on, it would have seen Manchester United finally ending Liverpool’s historic home unbeaten run.
For now, this stays intact and with Burnley next making the trip to Anfield on Thursday, there is every chance that the run continues further. Then again, Sean Dyche and his men may feel, that there is no better time to play the 2019 Champions League winners.
While for United, it is a quicker turnaround in terms of competitive action, as Wednesday sees them travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham and after coming away from Sunday’s clash unscathed, the next challenge is to keep crosstown rivals and second place Manchester City at arms distance.
