Manchester United vs Liverpool – hosts hit by injuries as fierce rivals play out stalemate

Re-live coverage as the rivals met at Old Trafford

Manchester United vs Liverpool: Premier League preview

Liverpool failed to capitalise on Manchester United's extraordinary string of injury setbacks but Sunday's intense goalless draw was enough to see Jurgen Klopp's men return to the Premier League summit.

The latest battle between English football's two most successful clubs was a typically tense affair as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's in-form side looked to bolster their top-four chances and give their title-chasing rivals a bloody nose.

United's trio of first-half injuries gave Liverpool the upper hand, yet the visitors failed to exploit those issues and had to make do with a 0-0 draw that puts them a point ahead of Manchester City and in control of the title race.

PA

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

[24 February 2019 11:07 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Welcome along to live coverage of Manchester United vs Liverpool. Harry will be here shortly with all the build-up and team news, but in the meantime here's Simon Hughes on Liverpool's title quest:

[24 February 2019 12:58 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to a huge day of football.

Later Manchester City and Chelsea contest the first silverware of the domestic season, but we begin with the renewal of perhaps English football's greatest rivalry, a rivalry that extends beyond matters on the pitch, and this year it carries extra importance.

It's Manchester United against Liverpool, it's Old Trafford, it's football as it should be - and you can follow every moment live right here...

[24 February 2019 13:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Five past two is our idiosyncratic kick-off time this afternoon, and there is action beyond the affairs in the North West.

Arsenal welcome Southampton to the Emirates Stadium from the same time, and team news from both games will be with you very, very shortly...

[24 February 2019 13:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Team News - Manchester United vs Liverpool

Scott McTominay is the surprise name in the Manchester United lineup, Nemanja Matic stricken with a muscular issue with the Serbian dropping out of the squad entirely. David De Gea returns in goal. Jesse Lingard makes the bench; Anthony Martial does not.

Absent through suspension in midweek, Virgil Van Dijk returns to the Liverpool side. Fabinho returns to his more conventional midfield role, while James Milner is preferred to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.

[24 February 2019 13:09 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Team News - Arsenal vs Southampton

Aaron Ramsey starts for Arsenal, while Ralph Hasenhuttl opts for a compact Southampton side seemingly designed to frustrate.

[24 February 2019 13:13 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

So notable team news from both sides at Old Trafford.

Nemanja Matic's injury leaves a sizeable hole in a midfield that has been functioning so well in recent weeks, and Scott McTominay has not played a huge amount of football so far this season. He'll be tested...

Talking of tested, Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled somewhat here last season and Jurgen Klopp has opted for James Milner's steely solidity, perhaps less concerned about his pace deficit with Anthony Martial unfit and Jesse Lingard only on the bench.

[24 February 2019 13:15 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Resplendent. A gorgeous, spring-like day in the North West, clear skies welcoming the building crowd to their seats.

[24 February 2019 13:21 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Nemanja Vidic is on punditry duties today, and he's certainly a player who knows this fixture.

In his stint with Manchester United the staunch Serbian centre-half both notched a late winner in front of the Stretford End and received his marching orders four times, falling foul of his tough tackling nature and the hostilities of a rivalry that stretches beyond football.

​Jonathan Lieu went to meet Vidic to reminisce:

[24 February 2019 13:24 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

A notable milestone for Jordan Henderson this afternoon, starting alongside both Fabinho and Geroginio Wijnaldum for the first time. The midfield battle could be fascinating this afternoon...

[24 February 2019 13:29 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Liverpool will be targeting a return to the top of the Premier League table today, with Jurgen Klopp's side making up their game-in-hand on Manchester City.

But a point will vault Liverpool above their title-chasing rivals, but this resurgent Manchester United side will be targeting three points.

Tottenham's slip up yesterday could perhaps open up a third-place shaped door for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side and the Norwegian will be chasing another statement victory to diversify the feathers in his already impressive cap as he looks to secure the job on a more permanent basis.