Gary Neville tore into Manchester United's approach to their trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, arguing they were 'well off' a winning performance. 

The Red Devils legend likened their safety-first attitude to performances under Jose Mourninho, who earned two 0-0 draws from Anfield while in the United hotseat.

Liverpool had 34 shots to United's six and 69 per cent possession in their goalless draw, although Erik ten Hag's men did have chances to win the game. 

Central defenders Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans were two of United's best players as Ten Hag's side produced a stubborn display. 

Neville told Sky Sports: 'Manchester United played really poorly. They had a 10, 15-minute period when Szoboszlai went off and they [Liverpool] had Trent Alexander-Arnold and Endo in midfield and it was a 4-2-4 where you thought, "ooh, there are two or three counter-attacks."

'It's a good result because it's a draw at Anfield and you can never dismiss a draw at Anfield, but that's not a performance. 

'We killed [Jose] Mourinho a few years ago for coming here and playing like that and getting a 0-0. So I think the fact they've been a bit more resilient defensively is good and the fact they've kept a clean sheet is good, but in terms of level of performance that will win you football matches, no, it's well off it.

'But you have to give some credit to the defenders and the way in which the whole team stuck together because I didn't think they had it in them. 

'Before the game, I saw the team, I thought how can that keep a clean sheet, that's at least conceding two or three goals. You have to give them credit for that and you have to say well done to them because it's been a tough week for them. 

'I can't imagine how difficult it has been, the criticism that they've received, everyone is on at them, including us, and the fact of the matter is they've walked out of here tonight with a little bit of respect.' 

United's previous visit to Anfield resulted in a 7-0 defeat and many fans anticipated another drubbing at the hands of their old foes. 

A 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on December 9 and a spiritless 1-0 defeat by Bayern Munich at Old Trafford in midweek had supporters fearing their visit to Anfield.

But they withstood Liverpool and made them look like an ordinary side, especially in midfield. 

Liverpool's midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch had little joy carving meaningful inroads through their opposition's back line. 

Fifteen of Liverpool's shots were from outside the box, and several others were from tight angles, showing how United limited them.