Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side had the better chances in a strangely subdued clash between two of English soccer's bitterest rivals.

Alisson saved well from Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in the second half, but neither side deserved to win.

United is two points clear of second placed Manchester City, who has a game in hand, and third placed Leicester.

Champion Liverpool is a further point back in fourth.

United is top after the New Year for the first time since Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 thanks to nine wins in a 12-match unbeaten run.

Leaving Anfield unscathed is a solid result as they chase a first title in eight years, but United might feel it was a missed opportunity to pile pressure on injury-hit Liverpool given its recent struggles.

"It's only a good result if we win the next game. It was an opportunity missed with the chances we had but then again we were playing a very good side," Solskjaer said. 

"I think we grew in the game and toward the end it was there for us to win. We created two massive chances and it was two brilliant saves by the keeper."

It is the first time these two old foes have been involved in a title race together since 2009.

But there was little feel of a seismic encounter as both teams largely played with the handbrake on at an empty and silent Anfield.

Liverpool is well short of the dynamic form that carried them to the title last season and the Champions League in 2019.

Jurgen Klopp's team has now gone four league games without a win and is without a goal in its last three top-flight matches.

"There is no easy explanation. We always missed chances, even in the games we won, we just had another one which we used," Klopp said.

"We had to be good to get a point. I think we were good enough to get three points but we didn't score."

The draw at Anfield was the perfect result for City, who took advantage at the Etihad Stadium with its fifth successive league victory.

Pep Guardiola's team scored in the 26th minute when Kevin De Bruyne's majestic cross with the outside of his foot picked out John Stones and the defender headed his first Premier League goal for City.

City, unbeaten in its last 15 games in all competitions, doubled its lead 11 minutes into the second half when Ilkay Gundogan curled into the top corner.

Stones struck again in the 68th minute, blasting home after Ruben Dias' header was saved, and Raheem Sterling made it four with an 88th minute free-kick.

Tanguy Ndombele's stunning strike sealed Tottenham's 3-1 win at Sheffield United.

Jose Mourinho's side took an early lead through a rare goal from Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier.

Harry Kane's 19th goal of the season increased Tottenham's advantage before half-time.

David McGoldrick got one back for bottom of the table United in the second half, but Ndombele's sublime lob, flicked over his shoulder from an acute angle, wrapped up the points.

The wonder-goal was the latest sign of Ndombele turning his Tottenham career around.

The 24-year-old's fine form is a stark contrast to his struggles in his first season after arriving from Lyon, with Mourinho admitting the player had to change his mindset to get back on track.

"He is incredible. For me sometimes you can score a great goal isolated from your performance. In this case the goal confirmed his performance. It was really, really good," Mourinho said.

Fifth placed Tottenham is on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions after winning at Bramall Lane for the first time since 1975.

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