It was a game that failed to justify the pre-match anticipation and Solskjaer will know his side had the better chances to claim a statement victory at Anfield.

Liverpool, without a recognised centre-back and with midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in defence, dominated possession in the first half but it was United who came closest when Bruno Fernandes' 20-yard free-kick curled inches wide.

Fernandes was then thwarted after the break by the outstretched leg of Liverpool keeper Alisson before Thiago Alcantara's long-range effort finally brought the previously unemployed David de Gea into action.

Alisson was Liverpool's hero late on when he blocked Paul Pogba's drive from point-blank range.

"It was an opportunity missed with the chances we had but then again we were playing a very good side." Solskjaer told BBC Sport. "I'm disappointed but, still, a point is OK if you win the next one.

"We have improved and progressed. It's not just the result we're disappointed with, it's some of the performance. I know these boys can play better."

United are now two points ahead of Manchester City, who moved up to second by beating Crystal Palace 4-0, and Leicester City in third. Liverpool, who have scored just one goal in their past four league games, have dropped to fourth, a point behind the Foxes.

"The performance was good enough to win it but to win a game you have to score goals and we didn't do that, so that's why we had that result," said Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.

"We try not to not score. We obviously have to ignore the fact and hope it will be good again."

Liverpool and Klopp frustrated again

Klopp cut a frustrated figure pretty much from the first whistle, his voice booming around Anfield with a tone of displeasure, showing unhappiness with his own players and officials.

The German's team, so used to steamrollering all before them in recent times, are going through a very dry spell and barely created an opening worthy of the name here against a resolute Manchester United defence.

Too often, Liverpool's approach play ended with a careless pass or an aimless cross and the longer this game went on the more United looked the most likely winners.

It was perhaps inevitable Liverpool would be unable to maintain their relentless style, but there will be concerns they have now gone four league games without a win since Crystal Palace were demolished 7-0 at Selhurst Park.

Before this draw, West Bromwich Albion left Anfield with a point, while Liverpool also had a goalless draw at Newcastle United and lost at Southampton.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are feeding off scraps, while Roberto Firmino's impact was so minimal that he was withdrawn near the end, even with the hosts chasing a goal.

A team as good as Liverpool will not remain off the boil for too long, but there is no doubt they are struggling for form and spark. The fact this is their longest barren sequence in the league since February and March 2005 tells the tale.

Did Man Utd miss a big chance?

Manchester United may have a taken a point before this game and there will be justified satisfaction that they subdued Liverpool so completely, created the game's best chances and remain top of the table.

And yet there must also be disappointment that they could not cash in completely on an off-colour Liverpool, with reality dawning on them very late that they could take all three points.

Fernandes, despite being poor in general, almost unlocked Liverpool twice, while Solskjaer and his backroom team threw their hands up in frustration as other good positions were wasted late on.

In the final reckoning, however, there will be few complaints at this outcome, which leaves them three points ahead of Liverpool with the visit to Anfield negotiated without mishap.

United were well organised and grew into the game after a poor opening half-hour and had real defensive heroes in captain Harry Maguire and left-back Luke Shaw, with the latter particularly outstanding.

It is a display that will give them increased confidence and belief as they lead the pack - although they might just look back and think a point could so easily have been three.

'It was an opportunity missed' - reaction

Manchester United manager Solskjaer said: "They are a good side and they have some injury problems but we didn't pounce on that.

"I felt we grew into the game and got stronger and stronger and were closer to winning.

"We were a bit disappointed in the performance, not just the result. We didn't do well enough to cause them problems in the first half but we defended well and they didn't create too many chances."But I think everyone was a bit disappointed with the way we started the game but that is a good feeling to have - that we were disappointed in the performance."

Liverpool boss Klopp told BBC Sport: "The performance was good and the first half was exceptionally good.

"With all the things that were said before the game - United are flying and we were struggling - and then to play this kind of game, I was happy with that.

"We tried in the second half again, but you cannot deny United over 90 minutes, not with the counter-attacking threat they have. So they had two really good chances, I have to say, but we had our chances in the second half as well.

"The way we understood the game, the way we felt the game, the way we read the moments were really good. But it is not exactly how it should be so we have space for improvement, absolutely. We will keep working on that."