David de Gea’s block saves a point but cautious United miss their chance | Barney Ronay

José Mourinho came for a point at Anfield yet Manchester United could ultimately regret not exploiting Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities

First the good parts of Manchester United’s performance at Anfield. With 34 minutes gone David de Gea produced a genuinely wonderful save, sticking out his left foot to block a close-range shot from Joël Matip after a corner.

It was a superb, game-saving, moment, an example of the way a fantastic goalkeeper can drive his team from the back, snatching small, stand‑alone moments that direct the wider story of matches won, points snatched, teams built. De Gea is something of a gymnastic freak, a tall man with startlingly fast-twitch reflexes and a dancer’s control of his limbs. Just to get his foot down in that position, so quickly and with such certainty is a feat beyond most human beings.

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