Reaction: Liverpool 0-1 Man Utd

1. Rooney smashes in after Fellaini hits bar
2. Strike was Man Utd's first on target
3. Van Gaal's side move up to fifth

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal must surely have noted the fragility of Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in recent months and yet his team have been so passive they have not even come close to testing out his confidence.

Not much excitement but all the ambition is currently coming from Liverpool.

Liverpool want a penalty as Roberto Firmino falls in the box under a challenge from Anthony Martial. They aren't going to get one, though, and quite rightly. Martial was just stronger. Why didn't Firmino stay on his feet? Try to fire a shot in? You know, actually play football?

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Another United corner as Kolo Toure tackles Wayne Rooney near the left byline. Daley Blind delivers to the back of the box and James Milner. Ugh.

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Martin Ratcliff: Would be incredible if either LIV or MU finish top 4 at this rate. No threat to the current top four on current form. 

somiahmickeysoo: Henderson needs shooting lessons.

It's been a pretty uninspiring opening first half if the truth is being told. Just eight shots at goal between the two teams - and, as you can see by the red arrows peppering our graphic, not one has hit the target. 

Opta

United win a corner following a break that was started by a good tackle from Marouane Fellaini on the edge of his own box and finished by the midfielder with a header at the back post that goes behind off James Milner.

The corner is poor, though, and Mamadou Sakho heads clear.

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Pat Nevin

Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

"That is three decent chances for Liverpool without playing brilliantly. It has all been a bit haphazard. Manchester United have not raised a glove yet."

Oh, close! Roberto Firmino plays in Jordan Henderson in the box but his low drive from the right beats the far post by a yard. In the Liverpool technical area, Jurgen Klopp goes absolutely mad. It won't help his mood that soon after that Henderson blazes an effort over the bar from range. 

PA

Manchester United have had an effort at goal. I say at goal. It wouldn't have hit six goals positioned side to side. Ander Herrera is responsible for the shot which he slices horribly from 20 yards.

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Jon Evans: This game is showing the lack of quality these teams sadly possess nowadays. So many wayward passes it's unbelievable. 

Noel Fitzpatrick:It’s like watching two fading giants slugging it out…..not pretty, just bruising!

Marc Stephenson: It's days like today where Liverpool miss Gerrard and Carra. 

David Broome: This game is terribly low quality, I have seen more skill and guile in the lower leagues. How the mighty have fallen. 

A good run by Alberto Moreno down the left takes him past Matteo Darmian and to the byline but his cross is headed away by Marouane Fellaini. Liverpool come again but Jordan Henderson's shot is blocked. The Kop stirs. They sense momentum building. 

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Liverpool are struggling to impose themselves in the Manchester United half, with only Roberto Firmino spending most of his time there. But, as our average position graphic below shows, the Liverpool number 11 is not receiving much support from his team-mates.

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Manchester United's forward three of Anthony Martial (9), Wayne Rooney (10) and Jesse Lingard (35) are sniffing around Liverpool territory - but still haven't had a sight on goal.

Emre Can is caught in possession by Jesse Lingard near the halfway line but after receiving the ball, Wayne Rooney's control lets him down and Liverpool can clear.

A poor ball out by Mamadou Sakho gives United possession in Liverpool territory but they are not quick enough to capitalise as the home side regroup. Pretty dull, this after it looked as though it was going to kick off following the Lucas/Fellaini clash.

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Rio is not impressed

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Joel Sparks: I'm still waiting for Fellaini to make a positive contribution in this match. He's simply not good enough for Man Utd.

Francis Edwards: A game where Manchester United can't even test the back five of Liverpool has got bad game written all over it. zzzz.

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Jordan Henderson swings a cross over from the right in the direction of Emre Can in the box. The latter is angered when he doesn't get a corner for a flick off the head of his marker Matteo Darmian. To be fair, though, every decision will be argued today.

Liverpool are the ones looking to make something happen. United are digging in, chasing hard.

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Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield

Liverpool are posing the early danger with Roberto Firmino prominent. The Brazilian, according to manager Jurgen Klopp, does not realise how good he is. He was good when scoring twice in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal in midweek and Klopp would love more of the same.

It's already shaping up between Lucas and Marouane Fellaini - with plenty of players from both sides offering to help Mark Clattenburg keep an eye on that situation.

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Daniel Kelly: Fellani gets away with too much, can see a red card to two in this game today.

were madrid: Liverpool moving the ball right but a bit hasty to finish

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