Approaching the last third of the game. Raheem Sterling loses the ball and then has a shot blocked by Phil Jones. Story of the game.

Queens Park Rangers defender Rio Ferdinand

"David De Gea entering Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel status fast at this rate with his performances!"

Image source, Getty Images

Mario Balotelli twice shoots from north of 40 yards. I mean I'm all for ambition but come on now...

He is a sideshow though. You can't help but watch his every move.

Shaunyshaun: How many chances does Raheem Sterling need? Don't see the hype. If Real Madrid want him then lets cash in and buy a goalscorer.

Donovan Dunn: Third suicide pass from Jonny Evans this season. Shocking on the ball. First division quality at best. David De Gea with the monumental save.

David McNaught: De Gea 3 -0 Sterling.

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Image source, Getty Images

United youngster James Wilson has been very quiet this evening but he does pop up in a dangerous spot and has no hesitation in letting fly. He's 25 yards out, on his left foot, but he cracks one into the Stretford End. Radamel Falcao still to come of course.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson
BBC Radio 5 live

"Mario Balotelli, I'm not sure if it is his last chance today. But every single manger who has taken him on has done so thinking they can change him. It is quite obvious you cannot change him. Jose Mourinho was asked to give one word to sum him up when he was at Inter Milan. "Unmanageable.""

Image source, Reuters

It was Jonny Evans who played the disastrous backpass for that Raheem Sterling chance. Awful.

Quite how Liverpool didn't score remains a mystery...

Former England captain Alan Shearer
BBC Radio 5 live

"Like in the first half, Liverpool in these early stages have had the possession and created good opportunities. That was an absolute sitter for Raheem Sterling. It has to be a goal. They will regret missing all these chances. I wasn't surprised at seeing Mario Balotelli coming on, but I am surprised at seeing Adam Lallana coming off. I thought he was one of Liverpool's better players."

Straight after that Raheem Sterling chance, Manchester United counter and Wayne Rooney has a shot saved. Almost a carbon copy of the opening goal!

Image source, Getty Images

Mario Balotelli scuffs a 60-yard crossfield ball straight to Ashley Young. He doesn't know the meaning of the word simple ball.

And what a miss! Again it's Raheem Sterling who has the chance, he reads a terrible backpass, is clean through on goal but his finish is so tame and David De Gea saves it easily. Four chances for Sterling. No goals.

Dan Postlethwaite: Mario Balotelli warming up (see 14:22), he's been warming up for three months!

John Knox: How out of favour must Fabio Borini be? Surely he'd be the perfect striker for the way we're trying to get a goal.

Mike: Odds on a second half Balotelli hat-trick?

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Mario Balotelli's first touch gives the ball away but he then wins a free-kick in a good area. The ball is too high for him and United clear. An early Liverpool goal changes everything.

And that is a chance! Raheem Sterling crosses from the left, Jordan Henderson arrives on it but heads over the bar.

Game on! Mario Balotelli goes straight up front.

The players are back out, and Mario Balotelli is on. He's replacing Adam Lallana.

Manchester City legend Francis Lee:, external Two very moderate teams here both giving the ball away for fun.

Anthony Stokes surely makes the points completely safe for Celtic as the Scottish Premiership leaders capitalise on a defensive error to stretch their lead to 4-1. Managerless St Mirren are destined to end the weekend one point adrift at the bottom.

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Manchester United will be five points behind city rivals City if they win this one. Is a title charge possible for Louis van Gaal?

Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst

"Super Mario Balotelli is out warming up and he is definitely coming on. As for whom I'm not sure - but he wouldn't be warming up if he wasn't coming on I can tell you that much. Liverpool have tried to play 3-4-3, but Adam Lallana seems to disappear on the Liverpool left. That has left Alberto Moreno with no support in defending Antonio Valencia - and it's down that flank where the majority of Manchester United's attacks are coming from. Raheem Sterling has had two outstanding chances and if you don't take your chances at Old Trafford, United punish you."

Former England captain Alan Shearer
BBC Radio 5 live

"Manchester United are on top because they have taken their chances. Liverpool have had two very good chances and one decent chance, all falling to Raheem Sterling. United have had two and stuck them both away. The problem area for Liverpool is down their left - whenever Antonio Valencia gets the ball he is causing Alberto Moreno problems. Liverpool now have decisions to make - do they go for it and risk leaving themselves more open at the back? Four or five goals would be a disaster for them."

Image source, opta

Wayne Rooney is the new Paul Scholes. Or David Platt.

Playing in midfield this afternoon, he's had one touch within 25 yards of goal, and buried it.