PLAYER RATINGS: Diogo Dalot and Raphael Varane stand firm in Man United’s draw with Liverpool as Darwin Nunez delivers a poor display and Dominik Szoboszlai loses his spark

Manchester United forced Liverpool to settle for a goalless draw at Anfield, preventing Jurgen Klopp's side from progressing to the top of the Premier League.

In a match with few chances, the visitors, who saw Diogo Dalot sent off in injury time due to two quick yellow cards, held firm and moved up to seventh place.

Several players impressed as Diogo Dalot and Raphael Varane frustrated the hosts, while Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai dropped below their usual levels.

Mailsport's LEWIS STEELE reviewed both sets of players.

Here's how they fared…

United, who moved to seventh place, saw Diogo Dalot sent off late in injury time

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

Alisson-6.5

Had hardly anything to do until United's first shot on target in the 67th minute, but he stood tall to thwart Hojlund from close range. Good handling and distribution from Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5

Of all Liverpool players, he came closest to scoring after 66 minutes when he painfully pulled a shot wide of the post. However, Alexander-Arnold's most important contribution came with a phenomenal tackle in the 55th minute, when he tipped the ball just out of Garnacho's feet.

Trent Alexander-Arnold came closest of all Liverpool players to breaking the deadlock

Ibrahima Konate – 6.5

Good distribution and he generally kept Hojlund and Co quiet. Also did well to cover Alexander-Arnold as the Englishman wandered forward. It will be an important season for the injury-prone Konate, now that Joel Matip is out for the season.

Vergilius van Dijk – 6

Very impressive game for the Liverpool captain as he gave United little space. The Dutchman bullied United's attackers and did not let Hojlund sniff while the Ten Hag team looked for balls over the top.

Kostas Tsimikas-6.5

Came forward well and kept Antony still while the Brazilian tried to jump past him several times. Tsimikas rarely gives away possession and has allayed any concerns Liverpool had when Andy Robertson dislocated his shoulder.

Wataru Endo – 5.5 (BOOKED)

Sometimes sloppy on the ball and struggles to influence the game. Broken play well as United looked to counter-attack.

Wataru Endo was sloppy on the ball at times and struggled to make an impact on the game

Dominik Szoboszlai – 5.5

Was the shining light of this Liverpool team in the opening weeks of the season, but Hungary's captain has lost a spark in recent weeks. A few misplaced passes and sloppy touches early on for Szoboszlai.

Dominik Szoboszlai has lost his spark in recent weeks and has been guilty of some misplaced passes

Ryan Gravenberch-6

Passed through United's midfield at times and the Dutchman has good pace. However, I had a hard time really affecting this game.

Mohamed Salah-7

It seemed most likely that he would create something for Liverpool, but it wasn't Salah's day. Had sight of goal a few times, but all his shots on goal seemed to end up in Onana's grateful grasp.

Darwin Nunez – 5 (BOOKED)

Bad tackle on Evans early on and got a yellow card for giving the referee some lip. It was an overall poor performance for Nunez, who has scored just one league goal since September. Also lost the ball too easily several times with wayward passes.

Darwin Nunez had a poor performance and has one league goal to his name since September

Luis Diaz-6

Liverpool's biggest danger was gone early, but disappeared in the second half. Had perhaps Liverpool's best chance but was thwarted by Onana. Has not yet completely rediscovered the sky-high demands he set in the opening weeks of the season.

Substitutes

Cody Gakpo (for Gravenberch 61) – 6

Joe Gomez (for Szoboszlai 61) – 6

Curtis Jones (for Diaz 77)

Harvey Elliott (for Nunez 77)

Manager: Jurgen Klopp – 6

Will be incredibly frustrated as his team couldn't break down a stubborn United side. Klopp made four attacking changes and changed his system several times, but none of his adjustments really affected the game.

Unused subs: Caoimhin Kelleher, Adrian, James McConnell, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)

André Onana – 7.5

A few wayward passes, but it was hard not to be happy for Onana after many observers had already written him off. A calming presence as his distribution improved – including one that sent Antony almost clear on goal – and made a number of big saves to deny the likes of Salah, Konate and Diaz.

Diogo Dalot – 8 (SENT)

Perhaps an odd call to award Player of the Match to a man sent off, but the United full-back produced an imperious display to keep Diaz quiet at that end. Made several last-ditch interceptions and also barely lost possession.

Diogo Dalot was imperious and kept Luis Diaz quiet with several last-ditch interceptions

Raphael Varane – 7.5

Made sure Nunez barely got a sniff as Varane started his first Premier League game since September. There appears to be a feud with the manager behind the Frenchman, who commanded from the air and showed his experience.

Raphael Varane ensured Nunez could barely sniff and take control in the air

Jonny Evans-7

Passing left a bit to be desired, but Evans maintains the bizarre statistic that he has never been on the losing side in this game. Showed good pace for his age to keep up with Salah on a late counter-attack.

Luke Shaw – 7 (BOOKED)

Salah could have toasted the England international, but Shaw ensured a fairly even contest ended. Made a bad tackle towards the end to stop a counter-attack – some might say this showed good experience.

Kobbie Mainoo – 7 (BOOKED)

Should start every game for United if fit. He is calm on the ball, always wants to move the game forward by passing forward, and has good energy in midfield to break up play. If there had been a little more time, he might have been seen for the England squad.

Kobbie Mainoo was calm in possession and should start every game for United if he is fit

Sofyan Amrabat – 6.5 (BOOKED)

Another who has come under heavy scrutiny since his summer move to Old Trafford, but the Moroccan has made quite a shift in midfield here.

Anthony – 6.5

United would have won this match if Antony had had more end product in his locker. The Brazilian found himself in a number of dangerous positions, but could not find the final pass. However, he bought some fouls to relieve the pressure and put in some tough yards defensively.

Scott McTominay-6.5

A constant source of energy in United's midfield as they ceded plenty of possession, but the Scot offered little direction in the other direction. Had a good view of goal towards the end, but shot straight into Alisson's arms.

Alejandro Garnacho-6

Provides an outlet on the left but was perhaps let down by his teammates who found it difficult to find him. Helped defensively in the fight against the likes of Salah and Alexander-Arnold at his side.

Rasmus Hojlund-6

Still no Premier League goal for Hojlund, who made only four touches in the first half. However, the Dane had some good link-up play as the match progressed and had a glorious chance in the 67th minute but shot straight at Alisson's chest.

Rasmus Hojlund squandered a golden opportunity after firing his shot straight at Alisson's chest

Substitutes

Marcus Rashford (for Garnacho 71) – 6 (booked)

Facundo Pellistri (for Antony 82)

Hannibal (for Mainoo 82)

Manager: Erik ten Hag-8

Criticized for negative tactics, Liverpool would have wiped the floor with his team if the Dutchman had not kept things tight at the back. After recent stories of dissatisfaction in the dressing room, all United players here seemed to accept Ten Hag's game plan.

Unused subs: Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilon, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek, Daniel Gore, Willy Kambwala.

Referee: Michael Oliver-6

Fair play to Oliver for getting up for Dalot's descent in stoppage time, although it seemed a bit strange to send him off. Otherwise played quite well.