Liverpool vs. Manchester United score: Reds win again as Virgil van Dijk heads home winner

Liverpool is now 16 points clear of Manchester City

Liverpool got a first-half header goal from Virgil van Dijk off a corner kick and a late Mohamed Salah score to beat rival Manchester United on Sunday, 2-0, as the Reds remained undefeated in the league with their 21st win in 22 tries. Liverpool extended its unbeaten Premier League streak to 39 games. United was without star attacker Marcus Rashford but improved as the game went on, missing numerous chances to draw level in the second half. The Reds went 16 points clear ahead of second-place Manchester City with this victory in a match where they recorded 11 corner kicks and 16 shots. 

Here are three takeaways from the match:

Reds not sharp but do enough

This wasn't the most dominant display we've seen from the Reds, despite all of the corner kicks and possession, but they just continue to grind out result after result. That's what champions are made of, and this win probably puts the title out of reach for Manchester City and Leicester City.

Liverpool wasn't especially sharp on the ball and had some issues defensively in the middle. But if you don't need your A-game to earn these three points, you take it. All that mattered was winning and holding on, and the defense did what it needed to do late to secure the result -- while also being a bit fortunate that United left their scoring boots in Manchester. 

United's defending tactics prove costly

On Van Dijk's winning goal, United decided to keep both central defenders near the six-yard line, and smaller defender Brandon Williams was tasked with bumping Van Dijk. Well, it didn't work. The young English defender got manhandled by the 6-foot-4 van Dijk before the Dutchman scored. Take a look:

I've got $100 on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer not trying that again. I get the idea, but you are better off double teaming him. To go through all of that and not have your central defenders even look at where he is coming from was a disaster waiting to happen. 

Alisson records assist

Alisson got an assist on Salah's goal with a ridiculous long pass, feeding the Egyptian star through on goal as he finished past David de Gea. The Brazilian goalkeeper then ran the length of the field to celebrate Salah's goal, which is his first in the Premier League against United. Check this out.

That all happened in under 10 seconds. United didn't have anybody back as players went forward in search of the goal. Liverpool made the Red Devils pay dearly with one of the most impressive goals of the weekend, making it look easy -- just like Salah and Co. have all season.

CBS Sports was with you the entire way providing updates, analysis, highlights and much more. Relive the game below.

Liverpool 2, Manchester United 0 (FT)

⚽ Liverpool - Van Dijk (14')
⚽ Liverpool - Salah (90+3')

[Jan 19, 2020 at 1:26 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

FINAL: Liverpool 2, Man. United 0

[Jan 19, 2020 at 1:21 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

93' Goal Liverpool! Salah!!!!! On the counter and that is a wrap!

[Jan 19, 2020 at 1:14 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Liverpool going for a second and it may be there with United obligated to look for a goal and a point. Five minutes to go.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 1:06 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

15 minutes to go

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:56 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

67' United is really knocking on the door now. Martial and Fred with back-to-back shots on goal.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:51 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

63' Wijnaldum with a fantastic bit of skill and plays Mane through, but his chance is just wide.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:48 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

59' Another golden chance for United! Martial with Pereira, and the Frenchman rockets a ball from close way over the goal!

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:46 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

57' Nearly an equalizer! A good run from Fred from the midfield, but his effort is just wide of the left post.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:42 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Liverpool has 11 corners, and Manchester United has 0.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:40 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Oh, man. De Gea actually got a finger on that shot from Henderson.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:37 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

48' Good from the Reds early on. Mane with a missed chance and then Henderson rocks a shot off the right post!

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:33 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Second half underway!!!

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:18 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Half time! 1-0, with Liverpool in control. United better as half went on.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:11 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Almost level! Pereira with a golden chance at the far post that he just can't get to!

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:09 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Seven minutes to go in the opening half. Liverpool with two goals called out due to VAR.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 12:00 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

There was a clear foul on van Dijk. De Gea showed a yellow for protesting the initial call.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:59 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Yep, goal called off.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:56 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

There is a chance for offside on Van Dijk as he went up int he air and crashed into David de Gea. So there could be a foul on van Dijk and/or offside.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:55 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

25' So Liverpool has apparently scored! But that can't stand! Firmino with a golazo. VAR reviewing.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:52 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

United has about six or seven just sloppy passes. Losing possession. Lack of sharpness.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:45 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

14' GOAL LIVERPOOL! VIRGIL! A skying header on a corner kick, and nobody is stopping that!

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:39 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

8' First chance of the game. A long free kick from Alexander-Arnold that Mane heads just by the post.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:38 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Early booking for Matic.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:36 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Daniel James a bit off in the early going. His passing poor so far. Had a good chance to create a chance and wasted it with a bad pass.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:35 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

3' Not much poppin' in the early moments. The stadium is electric, the fans are singing loud and proud. Neither team sharp on the ball early. Just a tad sloppy.

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:30 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

UNDERWAY!!!!

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:22 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Predictions? Let me know on Twitter at @RGonzalezCBS

[Jan 19, 2020 at 11:21 am ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Kickoff is just minutes away on a wet pitch at Anfield!