The Best of Man United v Liverpool
THE Merseyside derby… the Manchester derby… the North London derby… they’re all well and good, but having a rivalry based on your postcodes is really very, very boring.
Much better is when teams hate each other because there’s a clash of culture or because of something else entirely. Manchester United and Arsenal is one such rivalry that beats the local-affairs, but just pipping it is the squabbling cousins of Manchester and Liverpool and, this Sunday, that lot from Old Trafford take on that lot from Anfield.
When asked about the difference in hatred between Man City and Liverpool, one Manchester United fan said: “City are our rivals – Liverpool are the enemy.”
And things are already heating up, with Jamie Carragher chipping in on Twitter, saying:”Question for Lfc fans- win tonight or Sunday? Tonight for me, rather qualify for the CL than beat the 7th best team in the Prem last season!”
Scouse shade there. Liverpool will travel along the M62 on Sunday, seven points off United, but as we know, form goes out of the window for games like this.
So with that, let us look at the best Man Utd-Liverpool games.
Liverpool 3-3 Manchester United 1987/88
In the Eighties, Liverpool were the kings of English football and Alex Ferguson was still pretty fresh to the United job. At Anfield, a six-goal thriller with some absolutely appalling challenges from both team, and Gordon Strachan and Peter Beardsley on fine, fine form.
Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool 1989/90
In the late ’80s, Manchester United were perennial underachievers while Liverpool were the dominant force. However, on New Year’s Day, Fergie’s Fledglings started to show their worth. Mark Robins and Lee Sharpe sparkled, while little Russell Beardsmore played the game of his life. Brian McClair scored an absolute belter too!
Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool 2009
One of Liverpool’s finest ever performances came when they turned Man Utd over 4-1 at Old Trafford, back when Fernando Torres was absolutely blistering! Andrea Dossena’s lob is one of the best goals ever scored in a match between the two sides.
Liverpool 3-3 Man United, 1994
One of the greatest matches in the Premier League’s history, Man Utd steam into a 3-0 lead after 25 minutes and on the back of a 17-game unbeaten run. Liverpool, were placed ninth. However, thanks to goals from Nigel Clough and Razor Ruddock, Liverpool completed one of the most entertaining comebacks in English football.
Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool 1995
Eric Cantona, returning from his lengthy suspension for kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace fan, came back for another MUFC/LFC classic. Meanwhile, Liverpool were adjusting the crown of their own local legend, with Robbie Fowler grabbing two wonderful goals. Of course, Cantona managed to score the equaliser in front of a delirious Stretford End.
Liverpool 1-4 Manchester United 1969
At Anfield, a Manchester United team which featured a number of the stars that won the European Cup, basically tore Liverpool a new one. Liverpool were a team in transition, but so too were United. However, when you’ve got George Best in the side, it always helps. The fourth goal from Bobby Charlton is an absolute corker.
Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool 2010
United fans will remember this game as the afternoon when Dimitar Berbatov paid his £30m transfer fee back with a hat-trick against Liverpool. A match where Berba scored a wonderful overhead kick from the edge of the area that had the decency to whack the crossbar on the way in, just to look better.
Posted: 9th, December 2014 | In: Liverpool, manchester united, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
