Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones questions continue as Liverpool miss inevitable Man United plan

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Ian Doyle with the talking points from Liverpool's Premier League clash at Manchester United on Sunday afternoonUsain Bolt may have been in attendance in the directors' box at Old Trafford. But among the many things Liverpool have been missing this season have been the fast starts that became a trademark under Jurgen Klopp.While it wasn't much of an issue last term as the Reds romped to the Premier League title, this time around it has served only to hand over the initiative over to opponents far too often.By contrast, Manchester United have acquired a habit of exploding out of the blocks, a team that prefers to play in a few 15-minute bursts per match rather than exert a stranglehold of control.The visitors, then, could have no excuse for not being steeled for the inevitable United early barrage and instead actively surrendering momentum to the hosts.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!

All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageWith Liverpool effectively playing with four central midfielders given Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz were initially acting as double number 10s, the Reds should have won the engine room battle.Yet it was only when Szoboszlai capitalised on substitute Amad Diallo's wayward pass to go on and score at the start of the second half that Liverpool began to win the arm wrestle.Ultimately, though, it wasn't enough. For United, Kobbie Mainoo celebrated the signing of a new long-term contract by snatching another important goal in a clash between the bitter North West rivals.Curtis Jones, meanwhile, marked his 150th league appearance with another quietly solid showing at right-back in difficult circumstances, notable in the second half when driving Liverpool forward.Whether Jones gets to 200 for his hometown club, though, is far from guaranteed given the ongoing speculation over his future as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract with no fresh agreement in sight.The 25-year-old may not have been in his favoured position, but he has shown enough in the last few weeks to underline why he deserves more of a run in midfield, particularly with Alexis Mac Allister's wildly inconsistent display here a microcosm of his season.Liverpool demonstrated in the latter half of the 1980s that a Scouse heartbeat isn't necessarily required to win trophies.But Jones is now reaching the point in his career where he should be helping set the standards at Liverpool.

And another underwhelming display against leading Premier League opposition will only serve to heighten the scrutiny on the Germany international.While, despite some claims to the contrary, there hasn't been any question over Wirtz's commitment to hard work, the nagging suspicion is he too often flirts around the periphery rather than making a consistent impact was strengthened here as he failed to build on last week's impressive showing against Crystal Palace.In fairness, with Alexander Isak joining Mohamed Salah - who watched from the sidelines at Old Trafford - and Hugo Ekitike in the treatment room, Wirtz found himself having to conjure chances for yet another new-look forward line. The grand plan of last summer has rarely been seen.At least there was a confidence boost for one Liverpool attacker in Cody Gakpo who, having been switched from the left to the centre by Slot for the second half, applied the finishing touch to some good pressing to equalise and end a 12-game run without a goal.That he became only the second Dutchman after Dirk Kuyt to score 50 goals for the club will be scant consolation after an 18th defeat in all competitions for Liverpool, their most since 2009/10.