Adam Lallana came off the bench to rescue a point for Liverpool as their winning run was ended by Manchester United at Old Trafford
Having won just twice since the opening day of the season, Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was under pressure to deliver a result that could send the fans home happy.
The return of David De Gea from injury provided a massive boost, while Mohamed Salah's absence would have surely rocked Liverpool's preparations coming into the game.
It wasn't until just after half-hour mark before the first chance of the game. Sadio Mane broke down the right and cut it back to Firmino, who should have done a lot better with his first-time effort.
Once again, VAR would make the headlines for the wrong reasons. Victor Lindelof appeared to foul Divock Origi in the build-up but play carried on, and when James sped down the right, the Welsh winger whipped in a fine cross to Marcus Rashford, who finished with aplomb.
Liverpool protested with referee Martin Atkinson and the replay showed they had a case, but VAR allowed the goal to stand, leaving Jurgen Klopp furious on the touchline.
Perhaps spurred on by the sense of injustice, the visitors worked hard to find an equaliser and thought they had succeeded on the stroke of half time. A long ball forward found Mane, who shrugged off the challenge from Lindelof and finished beyond De Gea.
This time it was Manchester United who complained and after a brief VAR review, the goal was chalked off, resulting in a goal-like celebration from the Old Trafford faithful.
Those waiting for a resurgence from the Reds were left disappointed, as Mane and Firmino failed to find inspiration with Klopp as ever an animated figure on the touchline.
But when Klopp sent on Lallana on the hour mark for Jordan Henderson, it changed the game and the 31-year-old, after being plagued by injury for the last two years, finally got his moment when he tapped home from Andy Robertson's cross with just five minutes to go.
The leaders pressed for the winner to equal Manchester City's record of 18 straight victories, but United held on valiantly to a deserved point.
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Man Utd vs Liverpool starting XIs
Man Utd XI: de Gea, Lindelof, Maguire, Rojo, Wan Bissaka, McTominay, Fred, Young, Andreas Pereira, James, Rashford.
Substitutes: Jones, Mata, Martial, Romero, Greenwood, Garner, Williams.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Origi.
Substitutes: Lovren, Milner, Keita, Gomez, Adrian, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
