Liverpool and Manchester United played out a dreary goalless draw at Anfield as both sides saw their Premier League title odds drift.
A fine first-half save from David de Gea was the highlight of the clash, the Spaniard keeping out Joel Matip's close-range effort with an outstretched leg.
As a result of the draw, United were moved out from 11/4 to 100/30 for the title by Sky Bet, before ending the day at 7/2 following another big win for rivals Man City. Liverpool's odds drifted from 28/1 to 50/1. They were also pushed out to 6/5 for a top-four finish.
While United moved a point ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table ahead of the 1500 BST kick-offs, Liverpool were left seven off the pace.
Once again, the game between two of England's biggest clubs failed to live up to the hype as Jose Mourinho adopted a familiar safety-first policy.
Jurgen Klopp's side again failed to break down well-organised opponents - a criticism which has been regularly levelled at the Reds this season but was perhaps excusable on this occasion considering the rivalry and the quality they faced.
While United were not as dour as in last season's game here, there was no doubt Mourinho had reined in the attacking intent of a side which had previously scored 33 goals in 11 matches.
Ander Herrera was tasked with taking care of Liverpool's creative fulcrum Philippe Coutinho, with the Brazilian restricted to one really dangerous defence-splitting through-ball in the first half which overlapping full-back Alberto Moreno wasted with an overhit cross.
De Gea, who saved brilliantly with an outstretched foot at close range from Matip, could only watch as Firmino's deflected cross off Darmian rolled wide of his far post but for all Liverpool's dominance the goalkeeper was hardly tested.
At the other end of the field in-form striker Romelu Lukaku cut an isolated figure and his frustration boiled over as he took out Joe Gomez but escaped with only a warning from Martin Atkinson, who also decided no action was required against Lukaku with Dejan Lovren rolling around on the floor suggesting he had been caught in the face by a stray boot.
Story of the odds (with Sky Bet)
- 0-0 had been on offer at 15/2
- Chris Smalling was the first player carded - at 18/1
- The biggest winning RequestABet selection was 0-0 and under 70 match booking points at 10/1
United's one chance came just before the break when Lukaku exchanged passes with Anthony Martial but was denied by Simon Mignolet, with Moreno throwing himself at Ashley Young's shot from the rebound.
A similar pattern developed in the second half, with Coutinho frequently dropping deeper and more central to try to change the angle of attack.
It was to no avail, however, as - despite three attacking changes late on from Klopp with Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke introduced - their best chance came when Emre Can volleyed over Gomez's teasing cross.
United, by contrast, failed to have a shot on target after the break.
Post-match reaction
Jurgen Klopp said Manchester United's defence-minded approach would be unacceptable at Liverpool.
"I think the performance was worth three points," the Reds boss told Sky Sports. "We were the better side.
"I think Man United came here for the point and they got it. We wanted three points and didn't get it.
"I'm sure if we played like this, you could not do this at Liverpool. Obviously for Man United it is OK.
"It's quite difficult when a top-class team like Man United has that defensive approach. You're not going to get 20 chances.
"But we had enough - a big one in the first half, and a penalty I feel. We were unlucky."
Klopp, seemingly having cooled off, tiptoed around the matter in the post-match press conference when asked whether he would line up a side like Mourinho did.
"Nice question," he said, with a smile. "If I say no, 'you don't want to win something'. If I say yes, then people are already afraid, so no comment."
Jose Mouinho was hoping Klopp would make a desperate move to snatch victory, but instead the Liverpool manager made like-for-like alterations.
"I was (expecting him to change the formation) but I'm not criticising it," Mourinho said.
"I am just saying as a coach, you are on the bench and you try to anticipate things.
"And I have no midfielder to do what I do many, many times, which is to be with three strong midfielders and then give more freedom to all three attacking players. I couldn't do that.
"No (Marouane) Fellaini, no (Michael) Carrick, no (Paul) Pogba - nothing. Nothing at all.
"And then I thought the only chance I had to change the direction of the game is to bring players with one against one, bring players with speed and maybe - and that's what I told the players at half-time - maybe they are going to change. But they didn't.
"For me second half was a bit of chess, but my opponent didn't open the door for me to win the game."
Opta facts
- Jose Mourinho has won only one of his eight matches as a manager against Jurgen Klopp in all competitions (W1 D4 L3).
- Since Jose Mourinho took charge of Manchester United ahead of 2016/17; these two clubs have won the exact same number of points in the Premier League (89).
- Liverpool and Manchester United have drawn three consecutive league meetings for the first time since 1921.
- Manchester United have equalled their best points tally after the first eight matches of a Premier League season (20 points) - also in the 2011/12 and 1999/2000 seasons.
- Man Utd have kept a clean sheet in nine of their last 10 league games. Indeed, the Red Devils have recorded 18 clean sheets in the Premier League in 2017, the most in the competition.
- Since Jurgen Klopp took charge, Liverpool have won the most points in matches between the 'big six' in the Premier League (37 points).
- Neither side landed a single shot on target in the second half.
- Man Utd have landed exactly one shot on target in three of their last four Premier League games against Liverpool.
- Romelu Lukaku has scored just once in his last eight Premier League appearances against Liverpool, this after he netted four goals in his first four games versus the Reds.
