Thread by @utdarena

THREAD:

Manchester United vs Liverpool: LIVE Data-Analytics

Here, I will post live data throughout the game. If this interests you or you feel it will interest others please RT, like and follow for more!

7’ — In the early moments of the game Manchester United have had more possession (56.1%) and territory (63.3%) but both teams have had low passing accuracy with 73.6% for United and 69.8% for Liverpool.

High pace.

11’ — Fred and McTominay have attempted of 13 passes so far. This is 26% lower than their usual combined amount at this stage in games they have started together.

Bypass the midfield.

13’ — Liverpool had their first possession-based attack in the final ⅓ after 13 minutes. This is the longest time it has taken them to complete one such attack this season in the Premier League.

22’ — After the original burst of energy, Manchester United have conceded possession and territory. Now, they have 42.7% and 54.4% respectively.

24’ — Liverpool's top three players in terms of passes completed are Robertson (23/30), van Dijk (20/22) and Matip (19/21). Manchester United's are Maguire (12/15), Young (12/15) and Lindelöf (10/13).

Both teams are displaying fear of conceding as of now.

26’ — Manchester United have created three chances to Liverpool's two. However, both teams’ xG is 0.09.

Inconsequential.

27’ — In 27 minutes, Rashford has dropped van Dijk in a shouldered 50-50 and skipped past Matip.

The talent and physicality is there. It's the consistency and decision making he needs.

30’ — Consider how Manchester United have tussled as equals with what many consider is the best team in the world. It may not last as United are not as good but look at the XIs and focus on how mentality impacts performance.

33’ — Manchester United's best passing chains:

6 – Lindelöf to Maguire
6 – Wan-Bissaka to Pereira
5 – Young to Rojo
5 – Wan-Bissaka to James
5 – Rojo to Young

36’ — Marcus Rashford has scored 31 goals in the Premier League – an INCREDIBLE 11 of them have been against ‘Big 6’ opposition.

37’ — Before the game I mentioned that United must bypass their midfield to score with quick passes forward and wider This is exactly what happened. McTominay received the ball and quickly played it wider to James. The result?

Marcus Rashford scores!

40’ — LOOK at the effort from the players! With THIS team we are tussling with 18-game win streak Liverpool. Again, there is a long way to go but THIS is what it is about. Mentality and effort!

41’ — VAR!

Woah!

Half Time:

Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool

Statistics:

Possession: 43.8% – 56.2%
Territory: 55.7% – 44.3%
Chances: 4 – 4
Big Chances: 1 – 0
Recoveries: 33 – 36

Despite losing possession more times than anyone else on the pitch, Andreas Pereira has also made more recoveries than anyone else on the pitch with 8.

Effort.

Manchester United have created a chance every 32.5 completed passes against Liverpool.

Efficiency.

Despite battling hard there is a massive gap behind Manchester United's front line. If McTominay or Fred get drawn into that space Firmino will take advantage in behind them. They need to tighten up.

48’ — Robertson and Alexander-Arnold have been 19.88 metres and 15.78 metres respectively deeper than their average positions all season.

Defenders…for once.

56’ — Manchester United have had 29.7% possession in the last five minutes.

Sit back and counter.

59’ — De Gea error vs Palace, Pogba's penalty miss, Rashford's penalty miss, McTominay's header miss, Mata and Maguire's misses vs West Ham…this season our performances have been better than the results.

That Rashford chance was one of those we missed earlier.

60’ — Liverpool have switched from a 4-1-2-3 to a 4-2-3-1. In a way their 4-2-3-1 is a 4-2-4 with Fabinho and Wijnaldum covering the defence.

Dangerous half an hour coming up.

63’ — With the final 15 minutes coming up it is important to remind you that Liverpool had the best aggregate score in the final 15 minutes in 2018-19 at 25-5.

They are likely to produce a massive chance then.

68’ — Manchester United have attempted and won more tackles in the 23 second-half minutes than they did in the entire first half.

Precision.

70’ — A tactical point:

Liverpool use forwards who drop deeper. Instead of asking a midfielder to pick them up, Solskjær went with a back three as each one is allowed to step out if they need to due to cover.

A good tactical choice from Ole.

72’ — Andreas Pereira has played some sublime passes today. He excels technically which is a massive benefit in these games. He's been great.

75’ — Jürgen Klopp attempted to bring Liverpool centrally through the middle, hoping that United would follow. However, Solskjær's initial 3-5-2 deals with that automatically. Rather, Klopp should have matched it or proceeded with a wide 4-3-3. Error.

85’ — Liverpool scored. Expected.

87’ — I am preparing post-match graphics and so commentary will cease. A difficult result to take if it ends as a 1-1 draw but it is what it is.

Have a good one.