The Red Devils' success over their North West rivals, as seen through the eyes of award-winning Stats Zone, available for FREE on both iOS and Android...
A forgettable first half was followed by a memorable second as Manchester United bounced back from defeat at Swansea. Both sides managed just 3 attempts on goal between them in the opening 45 minutes, 0 of them on target, but that all changed following the restart.
Ashley Young replaced an ineffective Memphis Depay at the break and within four minutes had won a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the Liverpool penalty area. Juan Mata rolled the ball into the path of Daley Blind, who beautifully curled his first-time effort into the top corner.
Man-of-the-match Blind, who made 9 ball recoveries, 8 clearances and won all 4 of his tackles, proved his worth at the opposite end as the Merseysiders improved in the second period, poking the ball off the line as Roberto Firmino looked poised to pounce. It proved a decisive interception as Joe Gomez soon fouled Ander Herrera inside the penalty area, allowing the Spaniard to emphatically convert the spot-kick.
Yet the blockbuster moments of the clash were still to come. After David de Gea had tipped Jordon Ibe's drive away, Christian Benteke's outstanding overhead kick reduced the deficit with six minutes remaining.
But any chance of a grandstand finale was snuffed out by substitute Anthony Martial. The most expensive teenager in world football, dubbed the 'new Thierry Henry', danced into the penalty area and slotted home the clincher with all the class and quality of the watching Arsenal legend in the Sky Sports studio.
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.
