Erik ten Hag responds to Virgil van Dijk's claim only Liverpool tried to win in draw with Manchester United

Virgil van Dijk claimed Liverpool were the only team who tried to win in their 0-0 draw with Man United at Anfield.

Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United had the best chances in their goalless draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

United earned a creditable point to halt their losing run as Liverpool unleashed 34 attempts at the opponent's goal - their most in a Premier League game on record without scoring. United had six attempts at Liverpool 'keeper Alisson, who had only one save to make from Rasmus Hojlund.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk claimed "there was only one team I think that were trying to win the game" but Ten Hag claims Alejandro Garnacho and Hojlund had the most presentable goalscoring opportunities.

READ MORE: United player ratings vs Liverpool

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag explains why United's top four chances have increased

"It's his opinion," Ten Hag said when informed of Van Dijk's comments. "We should have taken more of the ball regains three or four passes in where we are capable of and then we could have even hurt the opponent even more.

"But all over in the end, you have to conclude, we had the best chances from open play for Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho.

"After the ball regains, we know they have a strong counter press but we need to keep the ball again, three or four passes in, get a switch in. And in such moments you can hurt them like we did with the chances for Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund in the second half."

United are winless at Anfield in their last nine now and have drawn 0-0 on four occasions during that run. However, their first clean sheet in six matches marked Liverpool's first match at home this season that they failed to win.

Onana made a vital second-half save from Luis Diaz while Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans provided a stable and streetwise presence at centre half.

Varane had started one game in 13 prior to his recall against Bayern Munich on Tuesday and Ten Hag lauded his presence in the backline. "Absolutely but we know what he is capable of, he has many such performances and I think he did very well as the whole team in the partnership with Jonny Evans," Ten Hag added.

"Both led the team from the back, also Andre Onana played a big part in it but I can mention all the players because it was a really good team, very disciplined.

"So we should have taken more of the ball regains three or four passes in where we are capable of and then we could have even hurt the opponent even more.

"But all over in the end, you have to conclude, we had the best chances from open play for Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho."