Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool meet at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
The teams lie second and third respectively in the Premier League but a look at the statistics shows the importance of Liverpool getting ahead in the game, with United having proved stronger late in games this season.
2 – margin between the teams in the Premier League table, in the battle for second place behind champions-elect Manchester City.
81.9 – United keeper David De Gea’s save percentage from shots on target this season is the best in the Premier League. Liverpool’s combination of Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet rank 19th at 61.4 per cent, ahead of only Huddersfield’s Jonas Lossl (61.2).
6 – Liverpool have also conceded six goals to opposing substitutes. Only twice have players come off the bench to notch against United.
6 – The Red Devils’ winner against Crystal Palace on Monday was the sixth goal they have scored in stoppage time this season – joint best in the Premier League – against only one conceded. Jurgen Klopp’s side, by contrast, have scored three and conceded seven – no other Premier League team has conceded more than four.
36 – cards shown to Liverpool players this season – 35 yellows and a red. Only Swansea, with 36 yellows, have a better disciplinary record. United have 52 yellows and a red – West Ham (64/2) have the worst record in the league by a wide margin, but otherwise only West Brom and Watford are worse than United.
4 – successive draws between United and Liverpool – their last three Premier League meetings, and a Europa League last 16 second leg in 2015-16. The latter meant progress for Liverpool, who had won the first leg 2-0.
79-65 – United’s lead in the all-time head-to-head, with 55 draws.
