Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United Stats: Smith Stars as Reds End United's Winning Run

Liverpool produced a dominant performance to end United's seven-game winning streak with goals from Smith (2) and Nagano. Explore the key facts and stats in our comprehensive post-match breakdown.

Match Overview

⚽ Final Score: Liverpool 3️⃣-1️⃣ Manchester United
📅 Date: March 14, 2025
🏆 Competition: WSL – Round 16
📍 Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
👥 Attendance: 15,596

Liverpool claimed a crucial 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Anfield to end the visitors' seven-match winning run in the WSL. A first-half double from Olivia Smith and Fuka Nagano gave the Reds a commanding lead before Smith added her second from the penalty spot after the break. Maya Le Tissier scored a late consolation for United, who suffered their first WSL defeat since November 2024.

Phases of Play Analysis

First Half (2-0)

The opening period saw Manchester United dominate possession (62% vs 38%) but Liverpool's clinical finishing proved decisive. Despite United creating several early opportunities, the hosts defended resolutely before Olivia Smith broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute with a well-taken finish after excellent work from Fuka Nagano. United's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed again in stoppage time when Nagano doubled Liverpool's lead, converting from Samantha Kerr's assist.

First Half Stats Breakdown:

• Liverpool: 3 shots on target from 3 attempts (100% accuracy)

• Manchester United: 3 shots on target from 8 attempts (38% accuracy)

• Liverpool passes: 111 (68% accuracy)

• Manchester United passes: 216 (80% accuracy)

• Liverpool defended resiliently with 19 clearances to United's 1

Second Half (1-1)

The match continued with Manchester United enjoying the majority of possession (55% vs 45%) in the second period, but Liverpool's defensive organisation limited the visitors' clear opportunities. A crucial moment came in the 67th minute when Jayde Riviere conceded a penalty, which Smith converted confidently to extend Liverpool's lead to 3-0. United manager Marc Skinner responded with multiple substitutions, and the visitors eventually pulled one back through Maya Le Tissier in the 89th minute after an assist from substitute Hinata Miyazawa.

Second Half Stats Breakdown:

• Liverpool: 2 shots on target from 4 attempts (50% accuracy)

• Manchester United: 3 shots on target from 5 attempts (60% accuracy)

• Liverpool passes: 117 (66% accuracy)

• Manchester United passes: 160 (76% accuracy)

• Liverpool won more ground duels (60% vs 40%)

Tactical Analysis

Liverpool's Approach

Liverpool deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation under interim manager Amber Whiteley, focusing on defensive solidity and swift counter-attacks. Their tactical approach included:

1. Disciplined defensive block: Organised with 44 clearances and 8 interceptions disrupting United's attacking rhythm

2. Effective pressing: Winning 61% of tackles and forcing United into mistakes in key areas

3. Direct transitions: Utilising Smith's pace and movement to exploit space behind United's fullbacks

4. Set-piece strategy: Creating dangerous opportunities from limited set-piece situations

5. Compact defensive shape: Limiting space between the lines to neutralise United's creative midfielders

Manchester United's Approach

Manchester United employed their traditional possession-based 4-2-3-1 formation under Marc Skinner, but struggled to translate their territorial advantage into clear-cut chances. Their tactical plan consisted of:

1. Controlled possession: 78% pass accuracy with 481 total passes

2. Width exploitation: Using fullbacks to create crossing opportunities

3. High press: Attempting to win the ball high up the pitch but vulnerable to counter-attacks

4. Multiple attacking options: Rotating attacking midfielders to create space

5. Tactical substitutions: Making five changes to try to change the momentum of the match

Individual Performances

Key Performers - Liverpool

Olivia Smith (9.1 rating) - Player of the Match

• 2 goals (including penalty)

• 2 shots on target from 3 attempts (67%)

• 12/13 passes completed (92%)

• 2/2 successful dribbles (100%)

• 3/5 tackles won (60%)

• 8 ground duels won (67%)

Fuka Nagano (8.3 rating)

• 1 goal, 1 assist

• 1 shot on target from 1 attempt (100%)

• 23/30 passes completed (77%)

• 1 chance created

• 2/3 tackles won (67%)

• 6 recoveries

Alejandra Bernabe (8.1 rating)

• Won penalty that led to Liverpool's third goal

• 16/22 passes completed (73%)

• 1/2 successful dribbles (50%)

• 2/5 tackles won (40%)

• 7/8 ground duels won (88%)

• 7 recoveries

Jenna Clark (8.0 rating)

• 4 blocks (match-high)

• 14 clearances (match-high)

• 36/45 passes completed (80%)

• 2/2 tackles won (100%)

• 5 duels won (83%)

• 7 recoveries

Key Performers - Manchester United

Maya Le Tissier (7.4 rating)

• 1 goal

• 1 shot on target from 1 attempt (100%)

• 58/73 passes completed (79%)

• 17 passes into final third (match-high)

• 3 clearances

• 9/20 accurate long balls (45%)

Grace Clinton (7.2 rating)

• 1 shot on target from 2 attempts (50%)

• 44/53 passes completed (83%)

• 1 chance created

• 3/6 tackles won (50%)

• 9/16 ground duels won (56%)

• 11 recoveries

Hinata Miyazawa (7.1 rating)

• 1 assist

• 1 shot on target from 1 attempt (100%)

• 18/20 passes completed (90%)

• 1 chance created

• 6 passes into final third

• 2 recoveries

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (4.5 rating)

• 2 saves

• 3 goals conceded

• 1 error leading to goal

• 19/25 passes completed (76%)

• 1/7 accurate long balls (14%)

Momentum Analysis

1. Minutes 1-9: Strong United momentum (+33%) with early pressure

2. Minutes 34-39: United's strongest period (+100%) creating multiple chances

3. Minutes 42-45: Decisive Liverpool momentum (+43%) coinciding with their two goals

4. Minutes 62-65: Liverpool surge (+87%) building toward Smith's penalty

5. Minutes 73-75: United momentum swing (+81%) trying to get back into the match

6. Minutes 88-90: Final United push (-46%) leading to Le Tissier's consolation goal

Substitution Impact

Liverpool's substitutions:

• Jasmine Matthews → Gemma Evans (76'): Rating difference -0.93, maintained defensive solidity

• Olivia Smith → Mia Enderby (82'): Minimal impact with limited time

• Cornelia Kapocs → Yana Daniëls (90'): Minimal impact with limited time

Manchester United's substitutions:

• Gabrielle George → Anna Sandberg (53'): Rating difference +0.36, improved defensive organization

• Dominique Janssen, Ella Toone, Jayde Riviere → Hinata Miyazawa, Rachel Williams, Aoife Mannion (69'): Combined rating impact +0.82, Miyazawa provided crucial assist

• Leah Galton → Melvine Malard (77'): Rating difference +0.29, added attacking threat in final stages

Set Piece Analysis

Set pieces played a limited role in the match outcome:

• Corners: Liverpool 1, Manchester United 6

• Liverpool defended resolutely from set-piece situations

• Both teams struggled with accuracy from corners

Key Match Insights

1. Clinical Efficiency: Liverpool scored 3 goals from just 7 shots (43% conversion rate)

2. Defensive Resilience: Liverpool's 44 clearances compared to United's 8 highlighted their determined defensive approach

3. Goalkeeper Contrast: Rachael Laws made 5 saves for Liverpool while Tullis-Joyce made a crucial error for United

4. Midfield Battle: Liverpool won more duels (63 vs 50) despite having less possession

5. Tactical Discipline: Liverpool's compact shape negated United's technical advantage

Conclusion

Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Manchester United was a masterclass in tactical efficiency, showcasing their defensive resilience and clinical finishing. Despite United's superior possession and passing statistics, Liverpool's organisation, commitment and ruthlessness in front of goal proved decisive.

The match highlighted several key factors that influenced the outcome:

1. The standout performance of Olivia Smith, whose brace took her season tally to six goals

2. Liverpool's ability to absorb pressure and strike at crucial moments

3. United's inability to translate territorial advantage into clear-cut chances

4. The impact of Liverpool's defensive solidity with 44 clearances

5. The effectiveness of Liverpool's counter-attacking strategy

This result ends Manchester United's seven-match winning streak and provides a significant boost to Liverpool's WSL campaign. The defeat is particularly costly for United, who missed a crucial opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea and have now fallen to third place behind Arsenal. Meanwhile, Liverpool continue their impressive resurgence under interim boss Amber Whiteley, who has now guided the team to three consecutive victories since taking charge.