Liverpool vs Man Utd stalemate sets new Sky Sports viewing figures record

Liverpool vs Manchester United has set a huge new record for viewing figures on Sky Sports after the audience peaked at 4.8m for the top of the table Premier League clash.

There was an average of 4.5m viewers during the course of the match at Anfield, which finished 0-0, with the higher peak reached in the final few minutes, Sky have confirmed.

The previous record was a shade over four million, set in April 2012 for a Manchester derby when United and local rivals City were vying for the Premier League title.

There is only one game in Premier League history that has recorded higher viewing figures and that was the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton last June during ‘Project Restart’ when there was potential for the former to be crowned champions.

That game enjoyed an average audience of 4.94m but it was also broadcast on Sky One, which is usually cheaper to access than Sky Sports, as well as Sky’s free-to-air channel Pick TV, making it available to everyone at no cost.

Liverpool vs Manchester United was only available on Sky Sports channels, which cost a premium, making it a record for a Sky Sports exclusive broadcast.

As much as 25% of the total television audience share on Sunday afternoon was glued to the match at Anfield, while it was the second most watched programme ever on a Sky paid for channel behind only Game of Thrones, which had viewers hooked when it wrapped in 2019.

The 0-0 result ensured little changed at the top of the Premier League table. United maintained their three-point advantage over Liverpool and remain in first place. However, Manchester City’s victory over Crystal Palace later in the evening saw them leapfrog Liverpool, who dropped to fourth.

City are only two points behind United and could go top themselves if they win their game in hand. Leicester are also in the mix in third place, just two points back from the leaders.

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