This is not a result that will cost Liverpool the Premier League. They are, as their supporters in the corner sang at full-time, now top of the table.

Equally, Jurgen Klopp’s team will not outlast Manchester City in the title race playing like this. When you are chasing glory against a seriously good team like City, opportunities have to be taken, whoever they are against.

A scoreless draw at Old Trafford has long since been a good result for any visiting Liverpool team but this felt like an exception. Facing an inferior United side – one that was further reduced by three first-half injuries – this was not an afternoon for survival, pride and credibility. 

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was a frustrated figure in the first half as his side could not find a way through

The Red Devils had injury problems at Old Trafford on Sunday as Ander Herrera had to be substituted early in the game

Manchester United had major injury disruption as the Ander Herrara substitution was followed by Juan Mata being taken off

Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to use all three substitutions in the first half as Jesse Lingard had to be replaced

No, this was an afternoon to make a statement while City were engaged elsewhere. A win here would have placed Liverpool three points ahead of City and it would have felt important and significant.

As it was, Liverpool were as becalmed as the warm February weather, lacking in sparkle, creativity and imagination. Were they lacking in confidence too after some recent below-par performances? It has hard to think a team of internationals would suffer that way.

Whatever the case, Liverpool were not good enough, nowhere near. City will watch the highlights of this – it won’t take long – and feel optimistic. 

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane (left) challenged for the ball in the air with Manchester United defender Chris Smalling (right)

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah (right) tried to turn and get a shot away during the first half at Old Trafford on Sunday

Afforded tonnes of possession by a United team happy to sit in and play on the counter, Klopp’s players did absolutely nothing with the ball. United’s goalkeeper David de Gea was stretched by an errant Ashley Young back pass in the very first minute and after that was called upon to do not a thing. De Gea did not make a single save in the game.

So this game will be remembered more as a curiosity than a real spectacle. When United lost Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard (himself a replacement for Mata) in the space of 22 miuntes, it looked for a moment as they may end up playing with inferior numbers. Had they done so, they still may have got by.

United did what they needed to do from that point on and will be happy enough with their own direction of travel. It was hard to blame them for their relative lack of ambition in the game once their plans were disrupted by misfortune early on. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was furious on the touchline as he barked orders to his players to keep their composure

United forward Romelu Lukaku (left) landed awkwardly on Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson, who received treatment

They are a point out of the top four now and they would have taken that after a dismantling at Anfield prompted the club to bring in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December. Here the home team’s best players were Paul Pogba in midfield and Victor Lindelof in defence. Both have improved markedly under Solskjaer’s calm and sensible management.

Klopp made a decision of his own before the game and that was to leave out Trent Alexander-Arnold and play James Milner at right back. Alexander-Arnold is only just back from injury so it was an understandable call but it did rob Liverpool of attacking zip down that side. Luke Shaw at left back for United will not have complained.

Elsewhere, Liverpool were simply too predictable. They made a mess of the free-kick given to them by the misunderstanding between Young and De Gea after 50 seconds and that set the tone. Salah – who never plays well against United – drifted a free-kick aimlessly over after Herrera barged in to Joel Matip and the Liverpool defender then loped forwards again to head over from a corner just before half-time.

Liverpool midfielder James Milner, who was playing at right back, was frustrated because side could not break United down

Red Devils forward Marcus Rashford (left) tried to compete for the ball with Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah early on

United were in no rush to commit men forwards and that remains a strange sight at Old Trafford. 

Nevertheless, they had their moments as Romelu Lukaku played in Lingard with the pass of the game – Alisson dashed out to save well – and then the Belgian centre forward bullied Andy Robertson out of the way to head down and up in to the Liverpool goalkeeper’s hands.

The Lingard chance turned out to be the best of the game. The Old Trafford crowd briefly got its blood up in the second half as their team found some momentum but United really only threatened from free-kicks and the longer the game went on the more attractive a point appeared to feel for Solskjaer’s players. As such they retreated still further to smother Liverpool’s numbers. 

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford (left) tries to squeeze in between two Liverpool players in the first half

Alisson made an excellent save to deny Jesse Lingard, just before the United man got injured, to keep the scores level

On the touchline Klopp looked annoyed and no wonder. This was heavy metal football without the drums and cymbals. Gini Wijnaldum headed a corner wide with 19 minutes left and so did Matip from the one that followed.

But the game was played out against a background of waning intensity. In injury time, when United had a dangerous free-kick, only one central defender, Chris Smalling, trotted forwards and he only did so after some hesitation.

As it turned out, Smalling could have scored. But a goal for anyone on a day like this would have felt quite wrong. 

Liverpool had injury issues of their own as manager Jurgen Klopp was forced to take off Roberto Firmino for Daniel Sturridge

Winger Sadio Mane was part of Liverpool’s front three that Jurgen Klopp deployed at Old Trafford on Sunday

A diving header from the progressive Gini Wijnaldum was deflected wide off Scott McTominay with 20 minutes left and the young midfielder did enough to put off Matip as the resultant corner arrived. Klopp, at least hunting victory in theory, then sent on Xherdan Shaqiri, the player who had won the game for Liverpool when these teams met at Anfield earlier in the season.

United were not without ambition and perhaps looked most dangerous from their own set pieces. One such delivery resulted in Matip firing in to his goal after Chris Smalling had won the ball at the far post. Smalling, though, was offside. Just.

Liverpool’s lack of punch saw Salah removed with 12 minutes left, meanwhile. His replacement was the young Belgian striker Divock Origi and that suggested Liverpool were prepared to go a little bit more direct as they chased the victory they needed.

As it was the final sniff of the game was United’s. Smalling stayed up after a free-kick and when the ball was recycled down the right the central defender was only inches away from a cross to the far post.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) was forced into two early substitutions in the first half as Jesse Lingard had to come on

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) on the touchline alongside Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp (right)

Andrew Robertson and Ander Herrera go in for a tackle in the game between Liverpool and Manchester United at Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata (left) tried to play a pass under pressure from Liverpool’s Sadio Mane (right)

These are worrying times for Ireland. For the third Six Nations round in a row, this squad will return to camp with more questions than answers.

Why are they so sluggish in the early stages of games? Are they too predictable? Is this a pre-World Cup dip or a team in decline? Are Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton past their best?

There are some irrefutable truths. Ireland cannot go into a World Cup game without Devin Toner, their lineout operation looks vulnerable without him while Rory Best remains Ireland’s frontline hooker. 

Young winger Jacob Stockdale roars over the whitewash early on as Ireland appear to be cruising

Luca Morisi’s try late in the first half ensured the hosts would go in at half time with a surprise lead of four points

Everything else is up for debate.

Ireland lacked rhythm in the early stages again yesterday. Sean O’Brien fumbled the kick-off, Jacob Stockdale juggled a stray pass on the touchline and Murray knocked on. Error was being compounded by error.

This was Peter O’Mahony’s first Six Nations game as captain and he led from the front, winning a penalty on the deck when Andrea Lovotti got isolated.

Speaking of championship bows, Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne and Ultan Dillane were getting their first Six Nations starts. Cronin’s promotion was the most remarkable, given he has made 67 appearances for Ireland and at 32 years of age, for good measure.

Going back to his days at the helm with Leinster, Schmidt always had a reluctance to rely on Cronin, preferring to send him on in the latter stages of games as an impact sub. There was some insight into Schmidt’s thinking in the first-half when Cronin twice missed his targets at the tail of the lineout. 

The first wayward throw occurred with Ireland’s first lineout of the game deep in Italian territory. Toner’s stock continues to rise. Niall Scannell also got a bad case of the lineout yips when he replaced Cronin in the second-half. Big issues there. 

Ireland backrow Peter O’Mahony soars highest to claim a lineout as Italy put up a fight on their home turf

Fly-half Johnny Sexton was selected to start for the reigning hosts in their third Six Nations fixture of the campaign

Ireland eventually settled down and they soon had their first try of the afternoon. It took 19 phases – with almost every player getting carrying the ball- but Quinn Roux rumbled over for the first try of the game. The South African-born lock would have given a nod to Chris Farrell on his way back to the halfway line after scoring that, it was the Munster midfielder’s big bust which laid the platform for that one.

If Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose remain fit and get themselves on the plane to Japan, you would imagine they will be Schmidt’s first-choice centre pairing at the World Cup.

Bundee Aki and Farrell look a decent combination as well. Their partnership was cut short early however, with Aki – so durable across his fledgling 14-cap career thus far- leaving the field with a head injury in the 13th minute.

Farrell stated after the Scotland game that he would love to get the opportunity to play at inside centre under Schmidt’s watch. Covering several positions ticks a big box when Schmidt is in charge. Farrell found himself at 12 very early yesterday when Aki left the action with Keith Earls moving off the wing to fill the void at outside centre. Andrew Conway entered the fray as Schmidt was forced into an early and unplanned backline reshuffle. 

Ireland’s supporters turned out in large numbers for a match at the Stadio Olimpico they expected to win comfortably 

Try scorer Keith Earls races away from the Italian defence as Ireland struggle to assert control of the game

Ireland found themselves under pressure soon after with Tommaso Allen making it 7-3 from the tee.

Stockdale really has the killer instinct. When Italy made a mess of taking the restart, the prolific Ulster wing was there to scoop up the loose ball and race away for his 14th try in 17 games.

News soon filtered in that Aki had failed his HIA meaning Earls would be staying at centre. The Munster veteran is very much a wing these days, but he would need to do a job.

Another Allan penalty chipped away at Ireland’s lead and the Azzurri soon clicked into gear with a brilliant spell heading towards the break.

First, Tito Tebaldi went scything through after taking a quick tap penalty. Rob Kearney can count himself very lucky after he looked to have checked the Italian scrum-half off the ball as he chipped ahead. Soon after, Dean Budd made a burst through the defence thanks to a brilliant offolad from fellow Kiwi Jayden Hayward. It was ominous how often the hosts were puncturing Ireland’s defence.

Ireland were hemmed in and minutes later, Hayward was charging through with the try-line in sight. Earls’s last-ditch tackle halted the full-back’s progress, but the damage was done. From the next recycle, Allan found Edoardo Padovani in acres of space as the Italy wing cantered over for a well-worked score.

The lively Tebaldi was once again the catalyst for a stunning 80-metre counter-attack. Amid all the mayhem and despite Maxime Mbanda botching an overlap, Luca Morisi burrowed his way over and Italy went charging down the tunnel with a 16-12 half-time lead. They were full value for it as well.

Schmidt’s message at half-time must have been short and sharp, his squad were back on the field very early for the second-half and they went back to basics. This group has plenty of issues at present, but they can still retain the ball for long periods of time. After another flurry of rucks, Earls weaved his way throug some heavy traffic to score. Sexton’s conversion restored Ireland’s lead. They badly needed that.

Leading Italy by three points on the hour mark was not in the script. In the corresponding Six Nations fixture in Dublin last year, Ireland lead 49-7 at this point in the game. This did not look like a team ranked second in the world playing a team ranked 15th, just two places above Uruguay in the standings.

The next play summed up Ireland’s day. Quick ball off the lineout allowed Sexton to run a smart backline move with Farrell’s deft pass sending Earls into open country, but Stockdale could not take his pass with the line at his mercy.

Schmidt has spoken of ‘accuracy’ and ‘cohesion’ constantly in recent weeks. Once again, it was sorely lacking.

When Murray touched down off the back of a surging lineout maul, Ireland finally had some breathing space and the bonus-point. Neither seemed likely for much of the afternoon.

Fittingly, it finished with Jack Carty – on for his Test debut – fumbling a Stockdale pass after the Ireland wing had burst clear.

Worrying times, indeed.

Scotland host Wales in the third round of the Six Nations at Murrayfield. 

Gregor Townsend’s side 20-year wait for a win in Paris goes on after France recorded their first Six Nations win of the tournament with 27-10 win at Stade de France.

Sportsmail provide you with everything you need to know for Scotland’s Six Nation 2019 campaign including fixtures, kick-off times and channel plus squad, results, stats and odds.

Scotland’s fourth round Six Nations 2019 clash will be against Wales at BT Murrayfield

Scotland’s Six Nations fixtures

• Scotland vs Wales  
• England vs Scotland 

Scotland’s starting XV for Wales clash:

TBA 

Scotland’s Six Nations Schedule

Scotland’s starting XV for Italy clash: 

Starting XV: Stuart Hogg – 1 Try (Glasgow Warriors); Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors); Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors); Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors); Blair Kinghorn – 3 Tries (Edinburgh); Finn Russell – 1 Conversion (Racing 92); Greig Laidlaw – 3 Conversion (Clermont Auvergne); Allan Dell (Edinburgh); Stuart McInally (Edinburgh); Willem Nel (Edinburgh); Ben Toolis (Edinburgh); Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh); Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs); Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh; Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: Jake Kerr (Leicester Tigers); Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors); Simon Berghan (Edinburgh); Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons); Josh Strauss (Sale Sharks); Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors); Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors); Chris Harris – 1 Try (Newcastle Falcons).

Scotland’s starting XV for Ireland 

Starting XV: Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson – 1 try, Sean Maitland, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw – 2 penalties, 1 conversion, Allan Dell, Stuart McInally, Simon Berghan,  Grant Gilchrist, Jonny Gray, Ryan Wilson, Jamie Ritchie, Josh Strauss. 

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, D’arcy Rae, Ben Toolis, Rob Harley, Ali Price, Pete Horne, Blair Kinghorn.

Starting XV: Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors), Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw – 1 penalty (Clermont Auvergne – captain); Allan Dell (Edinburgh), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh – vice-captain), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Josh Strauss (Sale Sharks).

Replacements: Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), Gary Graham (Newcastle), Ali Price – 1 try (Glasgow Warriors), Adam Hastings – 1 conversion (Glasgow Warriors), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh). 

Week 4 – Scotland vs Wales

When is it?

Scotland host Wales Stadium on Saturday March 9.

What time is kick-off?

Scotland vs Wales kicks-off at 2.15pm (GMT).

How can I watch it?

You can watch Scotland vs Wales LIVE on BBC, S4C or TV3.

Scotland vs Wales odds

• Scotland: 4/5 
• Wales: 11/10
• Draw: 17/1 

*Odds courtesy of Betfair 

Scotland squad for Wales clash:

Gregor Townsend will announce his squad to face Wales on the week prior to clash at Murrayfield. 

Week 5 – England vs Scotland

When is it?

Scotland will visit Twickenham Stadium to play England on Saturday March 15.

What time is kick-off?

England vs Scotland kicks-off at 5pm (GMT).

How can I watch it?

ITV and TV3 will live broadcast the England vs Scotland clash.

England vs Scotland odds

• England: 2/7 
• Scotland: 3/1 
• Draw: 22/1 

*Odds courtesy of Betfair 

Scotland squad for England clash:

Gregor Townsend will  announce his squad to face England on the week prior to clash at Twickenham Stadium.

Scotland’s Six Nations 2019 results

Awaiting results for below fixtures:

• Scotland vs Wales – Saturday March 9 
• England vs Scotland – Saturday March 16