Alan Shearer has joked that Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Liverpool was so easy that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could have played without a goalkeeper. Shearer also reserved praise for three Manchester United players after the goalless draw. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds returned to the top of the table this weekend despite being held to a 0-0 draw by injury-hit Manchester United. Caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was forced to use all three of his substitutions within the first 40 minutes of the game as Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all suffered injuries. But Liverpool failed to create any meaningful chances, while the hosts had a goal ruled out for offside after Joel Matip put the ball into the back of his own net.
Shearer joked Liverpool were ‘so flat’ that United could have played without a goalkeeper and picked out Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof for praise following the match. He told The Sun: ‘It might turn out to be a very good point for Liverpool. But judging on the performance we saw, it was flat. They missed a really good opportunity to go at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United and may regret not trying to win it. With United’s inexperienced team and then what happened in the first half with three of their players going off injured, it was a good opportunity to send a statement to Manchester City.
‘But Liverpool just seemed happy to not be beaten. There was nothing. Klopp’s side were really poor, they simply appeared to have no spark about them. The home side could have played without a goalkeeper – that’s how easy it was for them.’
Premier League legend Shearer added: ‘United defended really well and I thought Luke Shaw was man of the match. Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof saw off Mo Salah and never gave him a kick. Roberto Firmino went off injured and we never had a sighting of Sadio Mane in the game – nothing.’
Solskjaer also praised defender Shaw after the goalless draw and called Scott McTominay’s performance ‘excellent’. It was the midfielder’s first start for Manchester United since December 1 as he replaced the injured Nemanja Matic in the starting line-up. ‘I can’t remember Liverpool having a chance. Even though they had possession, I can’t remember David de Gea making a save,’ Solskjaer said. ‘Scott McTominay was excellent. When they need a goal and they take Mohamed Salah off you know Luke Shaw has played a good game.’