Jurgen Klopp's wait for a league victory over Manchester United stretched to four games as Liverpool were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Anfield.
In front of the new Kenny Dalglish Stand, Liverpool fought tirelessly for the victory, registering 18 shots to United's six, but a dogged defensive display, coupled with the brilliance of David de Gea kept the hosts at bay.
It means Liverpool, who have not tasted victory over their fierce rivals in the Premier League since March 2014, failed to cut the gap on United, who remain seven points clear of Klopp's side after stretching their unbeaten run to eight games.
Having won six and drawn one of their opening seven league games, United were the form side ahead of kick-off but it was Liverpool who posed the greater threat throughout.
Team news
Jurgen Klopp made two changes as Roberto Firmino and Emre Can replaced Daniel Sturridge and the injured Sadio Mane. Matteo Darmian was handed a rare start as Jose Mourinho made three changes, which saw Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial drafted into the starting line-up.
United frantically got bodies back on 16 minutes to cut out a Joe Gomez cross after Roberto Firmino had played the right-back through, before a crucial interception from Antonio Valencia dispossessed Philippe Coutinho in the area.
The pressure persisted as Firmino's low cross fell for Mohamed Salah but the Egyptian swiped at the cross before shooting wide on 20 minutes moments before he swiped at a Firmino cross, failing to turn it home from close range.
On a rare venture forward, Nemanja Matic lashed a volley narrowly wide from 20 yards, but Liverpool remained on top as Joel Matip's shot drew a sublime point-blank save from De Gea before Salah fired the rebound wide.
It took United until the 44th minute to register their first attempt on target as Simon Mignolet, a virtual bystander beforehand, parried his compatriot's effort away before the half ended with controversy as Dejan Lovren gestured Lukaku had kicked him in the face.
Liverpool continued in the same manner after the break as Emre Can fired a gilt-edged chance over the bar after being picked out by Gomez's inch-perfect cross, before Salah was just too short to get on the end of Coutinho's ball to the back post on 71 minutes.
Klopp brought on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Daniel Sturridge in a bid to snatch a winner but it proved fruitless as United clung on, with late headers for Lovren and Dominic Solanke the closest Liverpool came to clinching three points.
Player ratings
Liverpool: Mignolet (7), Gomez (8), Matip (7), Lovren (7), Moreno (7), Can (7), Wijnaldum (7), Henderson (6), Coutinho (7), Salah (6), Firmino (8).
Subs: Sturridge (5), Oxlade-Chamberlain (5), Solanke (5).
Man Utd: De Gea (8), Young (8), Jones (7), Smalling (7), Valencia (7), Darmian (6), Herrera (6), Matic (7), Mkhitaryan (5), Martial (6), Lukaku (6).
Subs: Lindelof (n/a), Lingard (5), Rashford (5).
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