By Far The Greatest Team

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Liverpool v Manchester United – The Premier League Years

By By Far The Greatest TeamPosted on Posted in Premier League, StatisticsTagged ,

Although their fortunes have differed somewhat during the Premier League era, clashes between these two great clubs have remained key fixtures on the sporting calendar.

In order to set the scene ahead of their latest meeting on Sunday, here is a look back at some important numbers from their previous 20 top-flight meetings at Anfield:

The Basics

Matches Played: 20

Liverpool Wins: 7

Draws: 4

Manchester United Wins: 9

Liverpool Goals: 29

Manchester United Goals: 27

Just 20% of the encounters have ended on level terms, with the draw last season representing a first since the 2005/06 campaign.

Streaks

  • The longest winning run that Liverpool have enjoyed in this fixture is three matches (2008/09 to 2010/11)
  • The longest winning run that Manchester United have enjoyed in this fixture is three matches (2002/03 to 2004/05)
  • Liverpool are currently on a four-game unbeaten run in this fixture, with this representing their best sequence
  • The longest unbeaten run that Manchester United have enjoyed in this fixture stands at six games (2002/03 to 2007/08)
  • Liverpool hold the record for the longest scoring run in this fixture, netting in 12 consecutive matches (1992/93 to 2003/04)
  • Manchester United have twice enjoyed four-game scoring runs in this fixture (1996/97 to 1999/00 & 2001/02 to 2004/05)

If Liverpool avoid defeat, they will move to within a single game of matching Manchester United’s record unbeaten run in this fixture.

Scoring Patterns – By Time Period

Here is a look at when each team has scored their goals in this fixture:

0-15 minutes – LIV (0) v (4) MNU

16-30 minutes – LIV (6) v (5) MNU

31-45 minutes – LIV (7) v (4) MNU

46-60 minutes – LIV (3) v (5) MNU

61-75 minutes – LIV (5) v (6) MNU

76-90 minutes – LIV (8) v (3) MNU

The main points to be aware of are:

  • Liverpool are yet to find the net during the first 15 minutes of play in 20 attempts
  • Manchester United have spread their goals out fairly evenly, whilst Liverpool have been at their most potent during the final 15 minutes of each half

Scoring Patterns – By Type

Here is a look at how each team has scored their goals in this fixture:

Open Play – LIV (19) v (13) MNU

Corner – LIV (1) v (7) MNU

Free-Kick – LIV (3) v (2) MNU

Direct Free-Kick – LIV (2) v (2) MNU

Penalty – LIV (2) v (1) MNU

Own Goal – LIV (2) v (2) MNU

Points to note are that:

  • Manchester United have outscored Liverpool by seven goals to one from corners
  • Own goals aside, Manchester United have netted 48% of their goals from set-pieces

Scoring Patterns – General

Here are a few other goal-related facts:

  • Liverpool have netted at least two goals in 50% of these encounters
  • Manchester United have scored no more than a single goal in the last eight stagings of this fixture
  • Neither team has scored more than three goals in this fixture
  • Six of seven Liverpool victories in this fixture have been by a two-goal margin
  • Seven of nine Manchester United victories in this fixture have been by a single-goal margin
  • Liverpool have collected 19 points from a possible 21 when opening the scoring in this fixture
  • Manchester United have opened the scoring in this fixture on 12 occasions, going on to win nine, draw two and lose one of these matches
  • Only one member of the current Liverpool squad has scored for the team in this fixture (Steven Gerrard – 2 goals)
  • Only three members of the current Manchester United squad have scored for the team in this fixture (Ryan Giggs – 3 goals / Javier Hernandez – 2 goals / Wayne Rooney – 1 goal)
  • Robbie Fowler and Andy Cole are the leading scorers in this fixture with four goals apiece

The Card Count

Strong tackles tend to be the order of the day when these two giants lock horns, so here is a look at the disciplinary history of their Premier League encounters at Anfield:

*In the figures below, two yellow cards and one red card have been counted when a player has been sent off for a ‘second bookable offence’.

Yellow Cards – LIV (28) v (51) MNU

Red Cards – LIV (2) v (6) MNU

Further points of interest are that:

  • Of the eight dismissals in this fixture, just one has been for a straight red card offence (Paul Scholes for ‘violent conduct’ in the 06-07 season)
  • Liverpool have been shown 30 cards in total, whilst Manchester United have picked up 57

Miscellaneous

Here are a few other statistics to get your teeth into:

  • Liverpool have had 111 ‘Shots on Target’ in this fixture at an average of 5.55 per game
  • Manchester United have had 77 ‘Shots on Target’ in this fixture at an average of 3.85 per game
  • Excluding own goals, Liverpool have found the net once every 4.11 ‘Shots on Target’ in this fixture
  • Excluding own goals, Manchester United have found the net once every 3.08 ‘Shots on Target’ in this fixture

Now all we can do is sit back and hope that the game lives up to its billing.

Although their fortunes have differed somewhat during the Premier League era, clashes between these two great clubs have remained key fixtures on the sporting calendar.

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