An 84th-minute header from Zlatan Ibrahimovic denied Liverpool a vital win over Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp’s side headed into the clash at Old Trafford needing to close the gap on their nearest challengers Tottenham, Arsenal and leaders Chelsea.

A handball by Paul Pogba appeared to have gifted the Reds that chance as James Milner converted from the penalty spot during the first half.

But Ibrahimovic was in the right place at the right time to head past Simon Mignolet to salvage a point for the Red Devils with his 19th Premier League goal.

Here were the key talking points from the ‘Theatre of Dreams’:

Mignolet cements Reds’ no.1 spot

 

Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation has been nothing short of farcical this season but Simon Mignolet may have put an end to that situation for the time being.

He was quickly ousted in favour of summer signing Loris Karius earlier in the campaign but has found himself back in the team following the German’s struggles.

Since then he has taken the opportunity with both hands, putting in several solid showings in recent weeks and retaining the faith of his manager as a result.

Mignolet’s performance in this game will have only increased Jurgen Klopp’s faith and should mean that he remains Anfield’s no.1 for the foreseeable future.

He made several big saves throughout, including a superb stop to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first half, and was unfortunate to not leave with a clean sheet and all three points for his efforts.

Lovren continuing to improve

 

Praise has been widely effusive for the likes of Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho’s improvement under Klopp over the past 12 months.

But Dejan Lovren’s own resurgence has remained somewhat under the radar.

A disastrous debut season at Anfield for the Croatian has given way to steady improvement under the German’s leadership and has been quietly effective alongside Joel Matip.

Up against Ibrahimovic, he was at this best and while the Swede may have escaped late on to secure a late leveller, Lovren’s performance should not go unnoticed.

With Matip’s absence likely to be extended as the club’s row with Cameroon continues, Liverpool will need more of the same from Lovren in the coming weeks.

Matip situation needs sorting ASAP

 

Although Lovren may have continued to impress at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, his defensive partner Ragnar Klavan was anything but.

The Estonian has often appeared below the grade since his summer arrival and was fortunate not to be punished for several mistakes by the hosts.

He lacks the composure that Matip brings into the Reds’ back line and, as a squad option at best, highlights the importance of resolving the absent defender’s situation.

If Liverpool intend to continue their challenge for the Premier League title, gambling on Klavan during the Africa Cup of Nations could prove disastrous.

Liverpool are lacking options

 

Klopp has remained adamant that Liverpool will not be entering the transfer merry-go-round this month despite fans wishes for them to strengthen further.

Instead, he is determined to use what he has available already and a look at the substitutes’ bench today showed that may not be such a wise standpoint to take.

Having Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge to call upon is fine, but he also had to rely on youngsters such as Ovie Ejaria, Kevin Stewart and Joe Gomez to fill up the other spots.

Contrast that with Jose Mourinho boasting Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini and Marcus Rashford among his seven subs and it shows which side are more than a little short.

Rooney and Fellaini ended up playing key roles in United’s late equaliser, something that only highlights the difference in options for the two managers.

Klopp is unlikely to change his stance on signings but a look at his bench at Old Trafford does show they are needed, regardless of how highly he may regard the club’s youngsters.