Image source, Reuters

While the two managers issue their half-time instructions, Pele does his statesman-like ambassador of football thing.

The Brazil legend waves to all four corners as he is introduced by the stadium MC and is asked what he makes of the Anfield noise.

Manchester United's fans have made up their own minds. "Where's your famous atmosphere?" they chant.

Pele departs the pitch after a photo op and presentation with Kenny Dalglish.

Tattz in Oldbury: Rooney not mentioned since the second minute. Has he really been that anonymous?

Elliot in Wiltshire: Liverpool have struggled against route one sides like Stoke so this is no surprise against a long ball side like Man Utd.

Jon from Wimbledon: When Liverpool are losing I support Arsenal and vice versa so it's all good for me at the moment. Oh I also support Dortmund for good measure. Call me fake but....

Yep, I'm afraid he has Tattz. He has touched the ball fewer times than any other Manchester United player - just 17 times - and has had one shot, which was blocked. I honestly can't remember even that.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield

"If Manchester United have a regret about a very impressive first 45 minutes, it may be that they do not lead by more than Juan Mata's goal. Liverpool have little or no joy in midfield or attack - so plenty of thinking for manager Brendan Rodgers to do during the interval. Will he be tempted to introduce Steven Gerrard?

Ash: Wonderfully versatile, skilful, front-line player Sterling is. Right-wing-back he is not.

Alvin Fun: Next week it's Di Maria starring for Man United reserves.

Neil Lennon
Bolton manager on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

"Louis van Gaal will be by far the happier manager. We've seen very little of Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling. United have passed the ball with more authority. I wonder how much they've put in to this first-half and can Liverpool come out stronger in the second. Maybe they need to start playing the ball longer to try and stretch United."

This is the sort of streetwise, cunning-as-a-fox Manchester United we expected to see when Louis van Gaal was appointed in the summer.

The visitors have dominated the ball - hogging 60% of possession - and Liverpool have only connected the dots a couple of times in attack when they have managed to get hold of it.

That is a meaty hit.

Michael Carrick gets the ball out of his feet and warms Simon Mignolet's palms with a whipcrack of a shot from 30 yards out.

Two minutes more at Anfield.

Philippe Coutinho wriggles goal side of Phil Jones, but Martin Atkinson rules that there was a little tug of a Manchester United shirt to help him get there.

The ball was running nicely for Daniel Sturridge as well...

Image source, Reuters

Ewan Pendleton: That Lallana chance just goes to show that even though Man U are on the front foot they need a second goal.

Daniel Woodley: United may have had an excellent opening 35 minutes but Wayne Rooney has had a shocker!

Mamadou Sakho is an ugly mess of limbs at times and the Liverpool defender does just enough to repel Juan Mata as the Spaniard teases him down the United right.

Image source, Reuters

Might Brendan Rodgers be preparing Steven Gerrard for a second-half appearance?

Liverpool looked better against Swansea after his introduction off the bench.

James in Newbury: After being United's stand out player all season, Rooney has been unusually quiet today. Good thing the other 10 players are on their game for once!

Matt: Pains me as a fan to say but Liverpool are chasing shadows here. Why is Sterling so far back? He plays best running off the last man, not running at them from his own half.

Neil Lennon
Bolton manager on BBC Radio 5 live

"Liverpool have been very, very bitty. United look like the side of Ferguson's day, moving the ball well in possession and then pressing the second balls well.

"Liverpool are struggling to get Coutinho and Lallana in the areas they would like. They're not playing in the way they would like so maybe it would suit to try and play the ball a bit longer."

Richard Elliott: Can and Moreno look like fish out of water and LVG has come to Anfield with a big frying pan.

Terry Urbanczyk: I just cannot believe that in his last game against #mufc, a game of this magnitude, that #gerrard is on the bench.

Yanis Gbl: The link up play between Herrera and Mata is lovely on the eye, more of the same please lads.

David De Gea is doing a fine job as a sweeper-keeper. He is out of the United box sharply to boot clear as Jordan Henderson attempts to thread in Adam Lallana.

Liverpool are gathering some steam and United would take the half-time whistle any time now.

Marouane Fellaini is on a last warning from referee Martin Atkinson. The Manchester United man wears the official's patience with a clobbering challenge on Joe Allen. Another and it will be yellow.