Five things we learned at Anfield last night

Jose Mourinho’s ‘anti-football’ tactics prove their worth on Merseyside, writes Chris Hatherall.

Liverpool may be a quality striker short of ending their title drought

It has been 26 years since Liverpool won the league title but after a superb start to the campaign there have been whispers recently that maybe, just maybe, they are good enough this season to end the drought. The hope on the Kop was that this match would be the moment when even those outside of Anfield began to think the same way; but Jurgen Klopp’s men didn’t quite do enough. On the positive side the home side grew into the game, recovering from a first half in which they were certainly second best, to produce the better moments after the break and show they have the stomach for a battle. On the negative side they struggled to break down United’s combative midfield and massed defence, tactics which other clubs will no doubt follow as the season goes on. Philippe Coutinho’s magic is undoubted but in matches like these you wonder if Liverpool have the outstanding striker who could be the difference between finishing third and first.