Key Stats from Manchester City 1 Liverpool 2 – ALLEZ!

Liverpool made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League with an emphatic 5-1 win over two legs against Man City, turning them over 2-1 at the Etihad despite some hairy moments. But what were the key stats from the game?

UCL Magic Strikes Again

Some Champions League related stats to kick off. This is Liverpool’s 10^th Champions League semi-final. Only six clubs have made more semis: Milan, Juve, Bayern, Real, Barca and Man United. Liverpool’s semi-final record is exemplary, reaching the final of seven of the previous nine occasions. However, the most recent attempt was also Liverpool’s last failure, a decade ago back in 2008, as we crashed out to Chelsea.

The Reds are now unbeaten in 12 Champions League games. No team has ever won the Champions League whilst being unbeaten in 15 games, with 13 the current record. Should the Reds go on to snatch the trophy without losing, it would be the third time they’ve done so. A record.

Defensive Work Holds City At Bay

Despite having 20 shots tonight, City only hit the target three times, ensuring that over the two legs they only had three shots on target. That was partly because of Liverpool’s brilliant defending, with 12 of the 20 shots (60%) being blocked by a red shirt before it reached Karius.

Over the two legs, City created one big chance, had an xG of 2.0 and simply never got near Liverpool. They will complain about their disallowed goal, and they were slightly unlucky as Dejan headed one onto the post, but they simply didn’t do enough to penetrate our defence.

Attacking Flair Sees Reds Comfy In The End

Liverpool went on to win the second leg 2-1 on the night, and once again it was the ever incredible Mo Salah who won the night. His goal was his 39^th of the season, which coupled with 11 assists means that he’s now notched 50 goals and assists for the Reds, in less than 3500 minutes, making it less than 70 minutes per goal or assist.

And he doesn’t just score prolifically but crucially too. He’s scored against Hoffenheim in the knockout round, Porto, and Man City in both legs, as well as against City in the league. He’s also scored against Spurs (three times in two games), Arsenal (once in both games) and Chelsea. In fact, Man United remains the only big team he’s yet to score against for Liverpool. Big game player.

And Mo’s partner in crime was once again the impressive Bobby Firmino. Liverpool had two big chances and scored both, with Firmino taking his tally to nine goals in the UCL this season. He’s the first Liverpool player to score nine goals in a UCL season.

And as the below stat confirms, Mo and Bobby (as well as Sadio) are in some prestigious company when it comes to scoring goals in Europe.

@LFCtv Fewest games to score 10 goals in Europe for @LFC…. @Robbie9Fowler 16, Roger Hunt 18, Jimmy Case 20, @Ian_Rush9 20, @TerryMac777 22, @themichaelowen 22, Ian St John 24, Roberto Firmino 25. (@22mosalah 9 goals in 12 games, Sadio Mane 7 in 10).

— Ged Rea (@ged0407) April 10, 2018

Milly Runs Rings

One final stat, courtesy of Si Brundish, to underline the phenomenal engine of Jimmy Milner, who at 32 was the oldest player on the pitch for the Reds, yet covered 13.5km. What an absolute machine.