EMBARRASSING first-half Man Utd stat lays bare Liverpool dominance

Liverpool’s dominance during the first half of their Premier League visit to Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday was seen in one astonishing statistic published at half time by Opta. 

For the first time since October 2015, the home side failed to register a single shot of any kind, while, at the other end, Liverpool hammered in 15 shots and recorded one goal through Luis Diaz’s strike. 

Back in October 2015, the visitors to Old Trafford were Manchester City in a game against Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils. 

That game ultimately went on to finish 0-0. 

The last time United failed to register a shot on goal in the first half of a Premier League match away from home was back in April 2022 against Liverpool at Anfield. 

That encounter finished 4-0 to Liverpool, with Luis Diaz again among the scorers on the day. 

Diaz, 27, found space inside the area during the first half on Sunday, latching on to a Darwin Nunez knockdown following a corner. 

The Colombian swept home a tidy finish past United goalkeeper Andre Onana despite the presence of two defenders on the goal line. 

Erik ten Hag’s side were no match for the Reds’ set piece with players like Nunez and Virgil van Dijk running amok inside the box. 

The first half finished with expected goals tallies of 0.00 for Man Utd and 1.81 for Liverpool according to The xG Philosophy. 

Furthermore, Nunez joined an illustrious club with his first-half assist, becoming the third Premier League player after Cole Palmer and Kevin De Bruyne to register 15 or more goal involvements in 2024. 

It was the Uruguayan’s 13th assist of the season in all competitions, more than any other Premier League player.