Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Manchester United stripped a point from Liverpool after coming away from Anfield with a 0-0 draw on Monday evening, a result that likely left Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho content with his side's performance.

Both Premier League giants failed to get their attacking gems into a stale fixture.

The point saw manager Jurgen Klopp's side remain in fourth place, while United stayed put in seventh.

Adam Lallana made his return for Liverpool off the bench, while Marcus Rashford started on the wing for United in place of captain Wayne Rooney. Juan Mata also dropped out for Ashley Young.

Empire of the Kop showed evidence of possession running against United before suggesting Mourinho had displayed some familiar-looking tactics en route to a stalemate against Klopp's men:

The two teams had a fast start in their first clash of the 2016-17 campaign, and Liverpool's high press caused a lot of the trouble in their attempt to restrict United's passing tempo.

Emre Can slotted in alongside Jordan Henderson in the absence of Lallana, and ESPN's James Tyler highlighted the momentum the hosts developed early on:

However, the power balance swiftly shifted in favour of the guests despite the Merseysiders taking an advantage in possession, with Antonio Valencia and makeshift winger Rashford seeing a lot of the ball down the right flank.

Yahoo's Liam Canning described it as a "comfortable" outing for the Red Devils, who had Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini distributing the ball in midfield behind Paul Pogba:

Even with momentum running in their favour, however, United struggled to get Zlatan Ibrahimovic into the match, with Young being one of the main protagonists finding space behind enemy lines.

Philippe Coutinho was another frustrated star who was unable to make his usual impact for the home side, who went in scoreless at the break.

ESPN's Musa Okwonga thought Mourinho was the happier of the two managers:

The opening chance of the second half fell to Ibrahimovic, but the Swede arrived a fraction of a second too early at the back post and could only divert Pogba's hanging cross back across the face of the goal.

Can had a lacklustre first half, but Joel Matip threaded a pass to the German, who found acres of space inside United's box before forcing a terrific low save out of David De Gea.

Neither manager made changes at the break, but before the hour mark, Klopp introduced Lallana in place of Daniel Sturridge, who was subdued in his 100th Liverpool match.

Liverpool writer Jim Boardman immediately noticed a shift in the Reds' dynamic following Lallana's addition, with Roberto Firmino moving into the central role, flanked by Coutinho and Sadio Mane:

Lallana's presence appeared to offer the Merseysiders more influence in midfield matters, and Coutinho proceeded to draw a highlight-reel save out of De Gea, who succeeded in getting to his top-right corner in the nick of time.

The Liverpool Echo's Andy Kelly was delighted to watch two "ridiculous" players go head-to-head in the most direct of ways:

Rooney made his entrance at the expense of Rashford with a little more than 10 minutes remaining in the fixture.

Liverpool fans came agonisingly close to seeing their side break through when Firmino pulled clear of the Red Devils' back line, but a splendid last-ditch slide tackle from Valencia put an end to the Brazilian's foray forward, as Squawka showed:

Bumps and bruises were evident across the pitch as James Milner made way for Alberto Moreno and cramps forced Firmino off in place of Divock Origi, but neither substitute could turn the tide in their side's favour.

United likely came away from Monday's draw as the happier of the two teams, especially considering the fine form their rivals have displayed this season.

Liverpool will play the second of three successive home fixtures when they line up against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, but United have just three days to prepare for their UEFA Europa League clash against Fenerbahce at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Post-Match Reaction

Klopp was disappointed his team didn't come out on top after dominating large stretches of the second period, while United looked to be the superior team in the first half.

The German's team remain in fourth, and while Klopp was eager to push home the fact their season is far from over, he couldn't help but express some sadness with the result, per BBC Sport:

"

We didn't play as well as we could have played. We started OK and immediately with their defending we weren't brave anymore, we didn't wait for the right pass. They didn't create chances, maybe two in the second half and De Gea made two or three great saves but in the end our performance was not what it should be. It is a first clean sheet, so yippee.

We weren't calm enough, that is their style that is OK you need to have respect but be cool. That is not the way we want to play but I accept it we got a point, there are worse things in the world.

"

Metro's Chris Winterburn provided further insight from Klopp, who assured fans there is more to this Reds team than what they saw at Anfield on Monday:

Dave Thompson/Associated Press

Mourinho enforced a similar approach in his post-match comments and believed it was his side that could have come away with all three points, per BBC Sport:

"

It is not the result we wanted but it is a positive result, it is a result that stops a direct opponent getting three points at home so not a bad result. The game was difficult for both teams but for longer periods it was more difficult for them than us.

We controlled the game not just tactically but the emotion of the game, that was probably the quietest Anfield I had and I was expecting it to be the other way. I think was a positive performance. ... The reaction from their crowd was permanent disappointment. People expected us to come here and be really in trouble, which we were not.

"

The United chief went on to say his side were "always comfortable" in their visit to Anfield, even though De Gea was called into action on several key occasions, adding his belief Liverpool are favoured in the press:

Klopp ran with the belief Mourinho came to Anfield with the intention of parking the bus in an effort to steal the draw in a meeting he dubbed "hectic."

"I am not frustrated, but I am not happy with the performance," he said, per BBC Sport. "No one will show this game in 10 or 20 years, but we could have played better."