Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry

The Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry, also known as the North West Derby, is a high-profile inter-city rivalry between English professional football clubs Liverpool and Manchester United. It is considered to be one of the biggest rivalries in world football along with the Old Firm derby in Scotland, Superclásico in Argentina, El Clásico in Spain, Derby d'Italia in Italy and Der Klassiker in Germany and is considered the most famous fixture in English football.[5][6][7][8] Players, fans and the media alike often consider games between the two clubs to be their biggest rivalry, above even their own local derby competitions with Everton and Manchester City, respectively.[9][10][11]

Liverpool F.C. v Manchester United F.C.
LocaleNorth West England
TeamsLiverpool F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
First meeting28 April 1894
1893–94 Football League test match
Liverpool 2–0 Newton Heath
Latest meeting19 January 2020
Premier League
Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United
StadiumsAnfield (Liverpool)
Old Trafford (Manchester United)
Statistics
Meetings total204[1]
Most player appearancesRyan Giggs (48)[2]
Top scorerSteven Gerrard
George Wall
Sandy Turnbull
(9 each)[3][4]
All-time seriesLiverpool: 67
Drawn: 57
Manchester United: 80[1]
Largest victoryLiverpool 7–1 Newton Heath
12 October 1895
(1895–96 Second Division)

The rivalry has been fuelled by the proximity of the two major cities that they represent, their historic economic and industrial rivalry, significant periods of domestic footballing dominance and European success, and their popularity at home and abroad, as two of the biggest-earning and widely supported football clubs in the world.[12][13][14]

The two clubs are the most successful English teams in domestic, European and worldwide competitions; between them they have won 39 league titles, 19 FA Cups, 13 League Cups, 36 FA Community Shields, nine European Cups, four UEFA Cups, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, five UEFA Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup and two FIFA Club World Cups.[15][16][17]

Each club can claim historical supremacy over the other: United for their 20 league titles to Liverpool's 19 and Liverpool for being European champions six times to United's three. Manchester United lead in terms of total trophies won, with 66 to Liverpool's 64.[15][18][19][20] Manchester United also lead in the head-to-head record between the two teams, with 80 wins to Liverpool's 67.

Inter-city rivals

The cities of Liverpool and Manchester are located in the north west of England, 35 miles (56 km) apart. Since the industrial revolution, there has been a consistent theme of rivalry between the two cities based around economic and industrial competition. Manchester through to the 18th century was the far more populous city and held a position of significance and notability as representative of the north. By the late 18th century, Liverpool had grown as a major seaport – critical to the growth and success of the northern cotton mills. Over the next century, Liverpool grew to supersede Manchester and throughout the late 19th and early 20th century was often described as the British Empire's second city.[14] The links between the two cities were strengthened with the construction of the Bridgewater Canal, the Mersey and Irwell Navigation, and the world’s first inter-city railway, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, for the transport of raw materials inland.[21]

The Liverpool coat of arms features the mythical bird known as the 'Liver' bird. It is believed to be based on a cormorant. This creature formed the basis of the Liverpool FC badge
The Manchester coat of arms formed the foundation of the original Manchester United badge

The construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, funded by Manchester merchants, was opposed by Liverpool politicians and bred resentment between the two cities. Tensions between working-class Liverpool dockers and labourers in Manchester was heightened after its completion in 1894, just three months before the first meeting between Liverpool and Newton Heath in a play-off match that would see Newton Heath relegated to the Second Division.[22]

Today, the crests of both the city of Manchester and Manchester United include stylised ships representing the Manchester Ship Canal and Manchester's trade roots. The ship is also included on the crest of many other Mancunian institutions such as Manchester City Council and rivals Manchester City F.C.

Post-war shifts in economic ties, reliance on regional coal, and shifts in transatlantic trade patterns caused by the growth of Asian labour markets caused the gradual decline of British manufacturing. Both Liverpool and Manchester suffered the loss of their primary sources of income. With Liverpool, the switch from North American to continental European shipping and cargo routes, tended to benefit southern English ports, while Manchester suffered from the expansion of the Asian textile industry. This reversal of fortunes happened against the backdrop of shifting political backgrounds and significant events in British culture and society in the second half of the 20th century.

Both cities were part of the county of Lancashire until March 1974, upon the enactment of the Local Government Act 1972. Since then, Liverpool and Manchester each respectively anchor the neighbouring metropolitan counties of Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

The two cities continue to be strong regional rivals, vying for influence of surrounding areas. Their continued importance to the UK economy has been reflected with the awarding of the 2002 Commonwealth Games to Manchester, while Liverpool was awarded the title of 2008 European Capital of Culture as part of its ongoing regeneration.

More recent projects by Peel Ports have sought to re-establish the economic links between the Port of Liverpool and Port of Manchester, including re-developing trade links via the Manchester Ship Canal.

Football rivals
See also: List of Liverpool F.C. seasons and List of Manchester United F.C. seasons

Formation to 1945
The Manchester United team at the start of the 1905–06 season.

Manchester United F.C. was formed in Newton Heath in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR F.C., and played their first competitive match in October 1886, when they entered the First Round of the 1886–87 FA Cup.[23]

Liverpool's team during its first season, 1892–93

Liverpool F.C. was formed in 1892 following a disagreement between the board of Everton and club president John Houlding, who owned the club's ground, Anfield. The disagreement between the two parties over rent resulted in Everton moving to Goodison Park from Anfield, and Houlding founded Liverpool F.C. to play in the vacated stadium. Liverpool supporters often sing the chant ' You should have paid the rent' to Everton fans during matches between the two sides, to reflect this. [24]

Liverpool's first season was in the Second Division in 1893. The team went undefeated all season, winning the title and being put up for election to the First Division, which would see them play a one-off test match against the bottom side of the First Division for their place. The team that Liverpool were to face was Newton Heath, whom they beat 2–0 to take their place in the first tier.[25]

Liverpool won their first Football League Championship trophy in 1901 and followed it up in 1906, the same season that saw the newly-renamed Manchester United promoted to the top flight after finishing as Second Division runners-up behind Bristol City. Two seasons later, by which time Liverpool had fallen into mid-table, Manchester United secured their first league title, winning the 1907–08 Football League by nine points from Aston Villa and Manchester City. They followed this up by winning the first-ever FA Charity Shield match when they defeated Queens Park Rangers over two legs in 1908.[26] The following season, they won the 1909 FA Cup Final, and followed this up with another league title and Charity Shield in 1911.

The outbreak of the First World War disrupted domestic football, and following the resumption of competitions in 1919 Liverpool asserted themselves on domestic football with a brace of league Championships while United found themselves in steep decline that saw them relegated in 1923. Between 1923 and the outbreak of the Second World War, neither team won any more competitive trophies outside of local regional trophies, with Manchester United spending three separate periods in the Second Division.

1945 to 1992
A comparative chart showing yearly table positions of Manchester United F.C. and Liverpool F.C. in the English football league system from 1892–93 to the present

After the Second World War, Liverpool again became English champions in 1947 before the clubs' roles reversed once more, with the Merseysiders dropping into the second tier as Manchester United found stability under the management of former Liverpool captain Matt Busby, winning the FA Cup in 1948 and then three league titles and Charity Shields apiece in the 1950s. During this time, future Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was approached by then Liverpool chairman Tom Williams and asked, "How would you like to manage the best club in the country?". Shankly replied, "Why? Is Matt Busby packing it in?"[27]

Following Liverpool's promotion under Shankly in 1962, the two clubs found themselves in direct competition with each other for the first time, sharing four league titles between 1964 and 1967, as well as the 1965 FA Charity Shield. Following this, though, the two sides began to drift in opposite directions once more. United's title victory of 1967 would be their last for 26 years,[28] while Liverpool would enjoy nearly 20 years of sustained success, winning 11 league titles, 19 domestic cups and seven European trophies from 1972 to 1992.[29] United's main reprieves during this time came through cup competitions, such as their triumphs over the Merseysiders in the 1977 FA Cup Final and the 1979 FA Cup semi-final replay at Goodison Park. It was during this period, in the late 70s and early 80s, that the modern-day rivalry between the two clubs truly began to get heated. According to football sociologist John Williams, United had developed a "glamour and media profile" but didn't have the success to match it and Liverpool fans felt the Red Devils were "media darlings who got far too much publicity". There was a perception in Liverpool that their hugely successful but "professional" and "workmanlike" teams were always somehow in the shadow of the stars at Old Trafford. This led to a derisory United nickname in Liverpool: "The Glams".[30]

1992–present

Manchester United's 26-year spell without a league title was replicated and exceeded by Liverpool from 1990 to 2020, during which time United dominated English football and won 13 league titles, 23 domestic cups and five European trophies.[29] Liverpool's success in domestic competitions such as the 2003 League Cup and 2006 FA Cup as well as European competitions like the 2005 and 2019 Champions Leagues allowed them some consolation during their league title dry spell, which finally ended in 2019–20.

Despite their contrasting fortunes, only six times since 1972 have neither Liverpool nor United finished in the top two of the league table – in 1980–81, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2014–15, 2015–16 and 2016–17 – and in five of those six campaigns, silverware was still taken home by one of the two clubs; Liverpool paraded the European Cup and League Cup in 1981, while Manchester United lifted the FA Community Shield and FA Cup in the 2004 season and Liverpool claimed the Champions League in 2005. United brought home the FA Cup again in 2016 and they won a treble of trophies consisting of the Community Shield, League Cup and UEFA Europa League in 2016–17.[31][32][33]

Managers

Notable managers

"If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing."

— Bill Shankly

While Liverpool and Manchester United's successes are almost identical in number, their systems of achieving these successes vary considerably. Liverpool built their dominance on a dynasty known as the Anfield Boot Room. The boot room itself was where strategy for future matches was planned, however, it became a breeding ground for future Liverpool managers following the arrival of Bill Shankly in 1959. The original members were Shankly himself, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Reuben Bennett, although the likes of Kenny Dalglish joined later on.[34]

Following Shankly's retirement in 1974, having secured eight trophies in 15 years, Bob Paisley stepped into the vacant manager's position and amassed 20 trophies in nine seasons.[35] Following his retirement, Joe Fagan took over and in the first of two seasons at the club, won a treble of trophies. Kenny Dalglish, while not an original member, was accepted into the group as the next in line for the role of manager, and he combined it with his playing duties to win Liverpool 10 trophies. The boot room connection was finally broken in 1991, 32 years after Shankly's arrival, with the appointment of Graeme Souness, who demolished the boot room itself to make way for a press room.[36] It did still manage to produce a final Liverpool manager in Roy Evans, who won the League Cup in 1995, but upon his resignation in 1998, the era was over. Liverpool have however gone on to achieve success with managers outside of the dynasty since then, most notably under Rafael Benitez, who won the UEFA Champions League in 2005, and Jurgen Klopp, who won it in 2019 before going on to win the club's first league title in 30 years in 2019-20.

Historically on the other hand, Manchester United have primarily relied heavily on the services of three extraordinary men, all decades apart, without the need for continuity and sustained success beyond each man's departure. Out of the 66 trophies that United have won, 56 have come thanks to the exploits of Ernest Mangnall, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson. Mangnall was the first great manager of Manchester United, securing five trophies within three years in 1908–11.[37] Following his departure to local rivals Manchester City a year later,[38] it would not be until Busby's arrival 33 years later that the club would be on the trophy trail again.

Busby became United's second most decorated manager of all time (ironically as an ex-Liverpool player and captain), winning 13 trophies at the club, including the 1968 European Cup, which saw an English team secure European football's top prize for the first time.[39] After Busby's retirement in 1969 though, Manchester United saw their fortunes slip and the club struggled to stay successful until Alex Ferguson's arrival 17 years later, during which time United only won three FA Cups and two Charity Shields.

My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch, and you can print that.

— Alex Ferguson in response to an Alan Hansen comment in 2002[40]

It was only under the Scot that United regained their glory days, winning 38 trophies during his 26-year tenure to scale the pinnacles of both English and European football.[41] However, since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, the club has gone on the wane again, finishing in the top four of the league just three times in seven seasons, although there has been some success in cup competitions.

Players

Players' rivalry

"A mate owned a [Manchester United captain] Bryan Robson top. We were kicking about, and I asked if I could be Robbo for a while. My dad looked out and went ballistic. He wasn't having his kid dragging the Gerrard name through the gutter. I thought we'd have to move!"

— Steven Gerrard

The rivalry has extended to the players as well: Wayne Rooney, a product of Liverpool's city rivals Everton who played for United from 2004 to 2017, described how he grew up hating the Reds (Liverpool),[42] while Liverpool's Steven Gerrard took a film crew on tour of his home where he showed off a collection of football shirts he had swapped with opposing players as part of the after-match routine; he pointed out that there were no Manchester United shirts in there and he would never have one of them in his house. Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James said: "I could never say I hated any United players just for being United players... But the rivalry became a habit, I suppose; on England trips Liverpool lads would eat at one table, United boys at another. There was tension there and we avoided one other". Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock once broke both of United forward Andy Cole's legs in a reserve match, later saying that "I didn’t meant to break both legs, I only meant to break one... I absolutely destroyed him... I know it's not big and it's not clever but it was great".[43] Manchester United's Gary Neville has been publicly vocal in the past with regards to his dislike of Liverpool. He notably drew the ire of Liverpool fans during the 2006 match at Old Trafford during which he celebrated Rio Ferdinand's last-gasp winner[44] by running to the stand where the away fans were seated while kissing the crest on his jersey and appearing to shout angrily towards them; he was fined and given a two-match ban by The Football Association but has stated on multiple occasions that he has never regretted his actions.[45][46][47] Following a fixture in which John O'Shea scored a stoppage-time winner in front of the Kop in 2007, Neville described O'Shea's achievement as "a lifelong dream" for himself. Previously in a Manchester derby during the 2003–04 season, Neville was sent off after attempting to headbutt Manchester City's ex-Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman; as Paul Scholes commented, "It's fair to say the pair of them never got on too well together".[43] The animosity amongst players has also extended to the fans on many occasions, as in the case of Neville, who regularly became the subject of offensive chants from Liverpool supporters after the 2006 badge-kissing incident. In a retrospective special leading up to the January 2017 matchup at Old Trafford, Neville and his fellow Monday Night Football pundit and retired Liverpool one-club man Jamie Carragher both acknowledged that it was not uncommon for both United and Liverpool players, particularly locally-born youth academy graduates such as Bury-born Neville and Merseyside natives Gerrard and Robbie Fowler, to celebrate in front of rival fans and that "you just got to take it on the chin".[47]

"I can't stand Liverpool, I can't stand the people, I can't stand anything to do with them."

— Gary Neville

In the 2011–12 season, the rivalry was exacerbated by claims that, in the first league meeting of the season at Anfield, Liverpool striker Luis Suárez racially abused United's Patrice Evra. After considering the evidence, an FA panel found that Suárez had referred to Evra using the term "negrito" seven times (Suárez himself admitted to having done so once, but denied racism); he was banned for eight games. This included the FA Cup fourth-round tie between the two clubs (again at Anfield), which Liverpool won. On 11 February 2012, however, United and Liverpool met again at Old Trafford, and Suárez played for Liverpool for the first time since his ban. Before kick-off, the two teams were expected to shake hands, but Suárez ignored Evra's offered hand and moved onto the next United player in line, David de Gea. As a result, Rio Ferdinand and Danny Welbeck rejected Suárez's handshake. United went on to win 2–1 and Evra celebrated in front of the home supporters, with Suárez close by. Sir Alex Ferguson declared Suárez to be a "disgrace" and suggested that he should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again. Kenny Dalglish vehemently denied having seen the missed handshake. The following day, Suárez, Dalglish and Liverpool all issued statements of apology for the handshake incident, which United accepted. The FA decided against any further action against either club or the players involved.

Player transfers

Since the 1964 transfer of Phil Chisnall from United to Liverpool, no player has been transferred directly between the two clubs.[48] Some players, however, have played for both clubs, but having played elsewhere between each tenure, such as Paul Ince (playing for Inter Milan in between) and Peter Beardsley (Vancouver Whitecaps and Newcastle United) and more recently Michael Owen (Real Madrid and Newcastle United), although Beardsley only played once for United, but went on to be a key player during his four years at Liverpool.[49]

In 2007, there was a bid from Liverpool to sign Gabriel Heinze from United, but United refused to allow him to join their biggest rivals due to the ongoing feud. United claimed that it was agreed Heinze would only join a foreign club if he chose to leave.[50] Heinze went public with his request to join Liverpool which was seen as the ultimate betrayal by the Manchester United fans. The Manchester United fans who once chanted "Argentina" in honour of the player then turned their backs on him. Heinze was eventually sold to Real Madrid instead. In 2019, after Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimović left the Los Angeles Galaxy, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said that he might have considered signing Ibrahimović had he not previously played for Manchester United.[51]

Date[52] Name From To Fee[53]
August 1912 Tom Chorlton Liverpool Manchester United
November 1913 Jackie Sheldon Manchester United Liverpool
September 1920 Tom Miller Liverpool Manchester United £2,000
May 1921 Fred Hopkin Manchester United Liverpool
February 1929 Tommy Reid Liverpool Manchester United
January 1938 Ted Savage Liverpool Manchester United
November 1938 Allenby Chilton Liverpool Manchester United
February 1954 Thomas McNulty Manchester United Liverpool £7,000
April 1964 Phil Chisnall Manchester United Liverpool £25,000

Supporters
Main articles: Supporters' groups and Association football culture
Liverpool Kopites in The Kop stand at Anfield

Both Manchester United and Liverpool are among the most popular football clubs (and sporting organisations) globally. Both are in the top 10 in Europe. The club states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the Manchester United Supporters Club (MUSC), in at least 24 countries.[54] Liverpool states that its worldwide fan base also includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the LFC Official Supporters Clubs in at least 50 countries. Notable groups include Spirit of Shankly.[55]

The 2005 leveraged takeover of Manchester United by the Glazer family created a schism amongst Manchester fans, directly causing the creation of F.C. United of Manchester, and the "Love United Hate Glazer" movement, and subsequently the Red Knights who attempted to buy the Glazers out the club.[56][57] Two years later, Liverpool went through its own controversial takeover when Chairman David Moores sold the club to American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks.[58] Disagreements between Gillett and Hicks, and the lack of popular support from fans, resulted in the pair looking to sell the club.[59] Martin Broughton was appointed chairman of the club on 16 April 2010 to oversee its sale.[60][61] Court action finally forced the sale of the club to Fenway Sports Group.[62][63]

Hooliganism
Main article: Football hooliganism

With the rise of football hooliganism across English football during the 1970s and 1980s, matches between the two clubs brought some minor and major incidents of hooliganism. Since then, the modern game has seen a decrease in violence between the rival supporters and incidents are fairly uncommon. This is more likely due to an increase in Police presence and CCTV with huge steps taken to keep the fans separated. To this day, both sets of fans still hold resentment toward each other. As well as physical violence, sections of the clubs' fan bases often taunt each other with unsavoury chants about the Munich air disaster and the Hillsborough disaster respectively.

At the 1996 FA Cup Final, an unidentified Liverpool fan spat at Eric Cantona and threw a punch at Alex Ferguson as a victorious Manchester United team walked up the steps at Wembley Stadium to collect the trophy from the Royal Box.[64]

The 2006 FA Cup match at Anfield featured foreign objects thrown at United fans by Liverpool supporters, including human excrement.[65] Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final game against Chelsea at Old Trafford later that year also resulted in damage to the stadium, including graffiti about serial killer Harold Shipman.[66]

In March 2011, the Daily Mail reported that an FA Youth Cup game between the two clubs was marred because of "sick chants" about Hillsborough and Heysel coming from the Manchester United fans at Anfield. The article also claims that six Manchester United fans were ejected from the stadium due to bad behaviour.[67] Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge was at the game and told the Liverpool Echo that "the level of abuse was absolutely sickening".[68]

In March 2016, before Liverpool's first leg tie at Anfield against Manchester United, it was reported that a group of Liverpool fans hung a "Manc Bastards" banner on the M62, as 2,300 Manchester United supporters made the trip to Anfield.[69] It was confiscated by the police, shortly after. Liverpool won the match 2–0.

Before the second leg tie at Old Trafford, Liverpool fans were greeted with a banner on the M62 motorway in Salford that said 'murderers' and also had the Hillsborough disaster date on it. UEFA took no disciplinary action against Manchester United.[70] During the same game, there were reported crowd disturbances, coming from the Manchester United end.[71] It was later reported that a Liverpool supporter sneaked a Liverpool banner in the United section, causing to aggravate United supporters in the stand.[72] Liverpool supporters ripped seats, and supporters threw objects at each other, also fighting with United supporters. Liverpool were fined £43,577 by UEFA for setting off flares/crowd fireworks & 'illicit chants', whilst Manchester United were fined £44,342 for illicit chants & the throwing of objects.[73] Both clubs' fines included £15,290 suspended for two years. Liverpool drew 1–1 and progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund.

Significant games

1894 test match

The first-ever meeting between both clubs came in a Football League test match in 1894, a post-season series to determine who will receive First Division membership for 1894–95. As Newton Heath finished bottom of the First Division at the end of 1893–94, they had to play off against the champions of the Second Division, Liverpool. Liverpool won the tie 2–0 at Ewood Park in Blackburn, earning them First Division membership and condemning Newton Heath to the Second Division.

1977 FA Cup Final

In 1977, the two clubs met in a cup final for the first time, when they reached the final of the FA Cup. The two clubs took to the field at Wembley on 21 May, with Liverpool having just won the league title, knowing that winning this game would put them on course for a unique treble as they had the European Cup final to look forward to four days later. However, United ended Liverpool's treble dreams with a 2–1 win, with goals from Stuart Pearson and Jimmy Greenhoff, five minutes apart with a Jimmy Case goal for Liverpool in between.[74]

1983 Football League Cup Final

Six years later, on 26 March 1983, the two sides met for the Football League Cup final. Goals from Alan Kennedy and Ronnie Whelan won the game 2–1 for Liverpool, after Norman Whiteside had given United the lead. Liverpool collected the trophy for the third year in succession. It was the last of Liverpool manager Bob Paisley's nine seasons in charge (during which Liverpool had dominated the English and European scene) before his retirement, and his players allowed him to climb the 39 steps to collect the trophy from the Royal Box.[75]

Anfield 1988

On 4 April 1988, Liverpool were 11 points ahead at the top of the league and almost certain of winning the First Division title with barely a month of the league season remaining. United, in their first full season under the management of Alex Ferguson, were their nearest rivals. The two sides took to the field for a league encounter at Anfield and with the second half just minutes old the home side had a 3–1 lead with goals from Peter Beardsley, Gary Gillespie and Steve McMahon, with United's only goal coming from Bryan Robson. Robson then pulled a goal back for United, and with 12 minutes remaining fellow midfielder Gordon Strachan equalised to force a 3–3 draw.[76]

Other notable games

On 4 January 1994, in the second season of the new FA Premier League, United took a 3–0 lead at Anfield in the opening 25 minutes with goals from Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs and Denis Irwin. Liverpool managed to claw back to draw 3–3 with two goals from Nigel Clough and another from Neil Ruddock. It was one of the last games in charge of Liverpool for manager Graeme Souness, who had resigned by the end of the month.[76]

On 1 October 1995, United's Eric Cantona made his comeback to the side after serving an eight-month suspension for attacking a spectator in a game against Crystal Palace. His comeback game was against Liverpool in the Premier League at Old Trafford. United took an early lead through Nicky Butt, only for Liverpool's Robbie Fowler to score twice and give the visitors a 2–1 lead. However, United were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute and Cantona converted it successfully, forcing a 2–2 draw.[76] At the end of the season, the two sides met again at Wembley for the FA Cup Final. The game stayed goalless until the 85th minute, when Liverpool conceded a corner, which David Beckham swung into the box to be cleared by David James, only for Eric Cantona to fire home United's winner.[77] In March 2003, the two clubs once again met in a cup final, this time in the League Cup, with Liverpool lifting the trophy after goals from Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen gave them a 2–0 win.[78]

Nemanja Vidić of Manchester United was sent off in the game against Liverpool on 14 March 2009.

On 14 March 2009, the two sides met at Old Trafford in the Premier League. United were ahead at the top of the league and Liverpool were looking to make a late run to the title which had eluded them since 1990. United went ahead in the 23rd minute with a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, but Fernando Torres equalised five minutes later for Liverpool, and a Steven Gerrard penalty just before half-time put Liverpool in the lead. United had Nemanja Vidić sent off in the 76th minute, and their misery was swiftly compounded by late goals from Fábio Aurélio and finally Andrea Dossena, condemning them to a 4–1 defeat, their heaviest at Old Trafford in any competition for 17 years.[79] Despite the loss, Manchester United were crowned league champions for the third season in succession and equalled Liverpool's 18 league titles,[80] with Liverpool finishing four points behind in second.[81]

The league fixture on 11 February 2012 was marked by controversy regarding Liverpool striker Luis Suárez refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra, following an eight-match suspension for racially abusing Evra in the previous meeting between the sides.[82][83] Following the 2–1 victory for United after a brace from Wayne Rooney, Evra in turn controversially celebrated right in front of Suárez, and was swept aside by opposition players finding the gesture provocative.

Honours, head to head, and statistics

Honours
Domestic honours
Competition Liverpool Manchester United
TitlesYear TitlesYear
Premier League 12019–20 131992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
First Division 181900–01, 1905–06, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1946–47, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90 71907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67
League total 19 20
FA Cup 71964–65, 1973–74, 1985–86, 1988–89, 1991–92, 2000–01, 2005–06 121908–09, 1947–48, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04, 2015–16
League Cup 81980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1994–95, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2011–12 51991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2016–17
FA Community Shield (* = shared) 151964*, 1965*, 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977*, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986*, 1988, 1989, 1990*, 2001, 2006 211908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016
Super Cup 11986 0
Domestic total 50 58
European honours
European Cup/UEFA Champions League 61976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1983–84, 2004–05, 2018–19 31967–68, 1998–99, 2007–08
UEFA Cup/Europa League 31972–73, 1975–76, 2000–01 12016–17
European Cup Winners' Cup 0 11990–91
UEFA Super Cup 41977, 2001, 2005, 2019 11991
European total 13 6
Worldwide honours
FIFA Club World Cup 12019 12008
Intercontinental Cup 0 11999
Worldwide total 1 2
Combined total[15][84]
Combined total 64 66
Table correct as of 25 June 2020.

Head-to-head

The below table demonstrates the competitive results between the two sides (not indicative of titles won).

Competition Manchester United wins Draws Liverpool wins
League 68 49 57
FA Cup 9 4 4
League Cup 2 0 3
Europa League 0 1 1
Other 1 3 2
Total 80 57 67
Table correct as of 19 January 2020[1]

All-time results

Total league head-to-head
League home record
Home team Wins Losses Draws
Liverpool 41 25 20
Manchester United 43 16 28
Overall league head-to-head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
68 57 49

Results in domestic cup matches
Date Venue Matches Competition
Team 1 Score Team 2
12 February 1898 Bank Street Newton Heath 0–0 Liverpool FA Cup 2nd Round
16 February 1898 Anfield Liverpool 2–1 Newton Heath FA Cup 2nd Round Replay
7 February 1903 Bank Street Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool FA Cup 1st Round
8 January 1921 Anfield Liverpool 1–1 Manchester United FA Cup 1st Round
12 January 1921 Old Trafford Manchester United 1–2 Liverpool FA Cup 1st Round Replay
24 January 1948 Goodison Park[lower-alpha 1] Manchester United 3–0 Liverpool FA Cup 4th Round
30 January 1960 Anfield Liverpool 1–3 Manchester United FA Cup 4th Round
14 August 1965 Old Trafford Manchester United 2–2 Liverpool 1965 Charity Shield
21 May 1977 Wembley Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool 1977 FA Cup Final
13 August 1977 Wembley Liverpool 0–0 Manchester United 1977 Charity Shield
31 March 1979 Maine Road Manchester United 2–2
(a.e.t.)		 Liverpool FA Cup Semi-final
4 April 1979 Goodison Park Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool FA Cup Semi-final Replay
26 March 1983 Wembley Liverpool 2–1
(a.e.t.)		 Manchester United 1983 League Cup Final
20 August 1983 Wembley Manchester United 2–0 Liverpool 1983 Charity Shield
13 April 1985 Goodison Park Manchester United 2–2
(a.e.t.)		 Liverpool FA Cup Semi-final
17 April 1985 Maine Road Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool FA Cup Semi-final Replay
26 November 1985 Anfield Liverpool 2–1 Manchester United League Cup 4th Round
18 August 1990 Wembley Liverpool 1–1 Manchester United 1990 Charity Shield
31 October 1990 Old Trafford Manchester United 3–1 Liverpool League Cup 3rd Round
11 May 1996 Wembley Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool 1996 FA Cup Final
24 January 1999 Old Trafford Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool FA Cup 4th Round
12 August 2001 Millennium Stadium Liverpool 2–1 Manchester United 2001 Charity Shield
2 March 2003 Millennium Stadium Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United 2003 League Cup Final
18 February 2006 Anfield Liverpool 1–0 Manchester United FA Cup 5th Round
9 January 2011 Old Trafford Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool FA Cup 3rd Round
28 January 2012 Anfield Liverpool 2–1 Manchester United FA Cup 4th Round
25 September 2013 Old Trafford Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool League Cup 3rd Round
Overall domestic cups head-to-head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
12 9 7

Results in European competitions
Date Venue Matches Competition
Team 1 Score Team 2
10 March 2016 Anfield Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United Europa League round of 16
17 March 2016 Old Trafford Manchester United 1–1 Liverpool Europa League round of 16
Overall European competitions head-to-head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
0 1 1

Results in play-offs
Date Venue Matches Competition
Team 1 Score Team 2
28 April 1894 Ewood Park Liverpool 2–0 Newton Heath Football League test match
Overall play-off head-to-head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
0 1 0
gollark: I think market systems are waaay better than some weird communist one at resource allocation (with intervention), so I'd prefer markets + limited central governance.
gollark: If there's some leather available, and two different production processes needing leather, how do you decide which factory gets which?
gollark: And a quota for "10 tons of nails", so they made a single 10-ton nail.
gollark: There were things with Soviet truck depots driving trucks in circles pointlessly because they had a quota of "40000 miles driven".
gollark: If your factory is told to make 100K units of winter clothing of any kind they will probably just go for the simplest/easiest one, even if it isn't very useful to have 100K winter coats (extra small) (plain white). Now, you could say "but in capitalism they'll just make the cheapest one", but companies are directly subservient to what consumers actually want and can't get away with that.

See also

Notes
  1. Due to war damage, Old Trafford was closed at the time, and Manchester United were playing their home matches at Maine Road. However, on the same day, Manchester City were at home to Chelsea in another FA Cup tie and as a result this tie was switched to Goodison Park

Further reading
  • Andrews, David L., ed. (2004). Manchester United: A Thematic Study. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-33333-4.
  • Barnes, Justyn; Bostock, Adam; Butler, Cliff; Ferguson, Jim; Meek, David; Mitten, Andy; Pilger, Sam; Taylor, Frank OBE; Tyrrell, Tom (2001) [1998]. The Official Manchester United Illustrated Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). London: Manchester United Books. ISBN 0-233-99964-7.
  • Bose, Mihir (2007). Manchester Disunited: Trouble and Takeover at the World's Richest Football Club. London: Aurum Press. ISBN 1-84513-121-5.
  • Cox, Richard; Russell, Dave; Vamplew, Wray (2002). Encyclopedia of British football. Routledge. ISBN 0-7146-5249-0.
  • Crick, Michael; Smith, David (1990). Manchester United – The Betrayal of a Legend. London: Pan Books. ISBN 0-330-31440-8.
  • Crilly, Peter (2007). Tops of the Kops: The Complete Guide to Liverpool's Kits. Trinity Mirror Sport Media. ISBN 978-1-905266-22-7.
  • Devlin, John (2005). True Colours: Football Kits from 1980 to the Present Day. London: A & C Black. ISBN 0-7136-7389-3.
  • Dobson, Stephen; Goddard, John (2004). "Ownership and Finance of Professional Soccer in England and Europe". In Fort, Rodney; Fizel, John (eds.). International Sports Economics Comparisons. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0-275-98032-4.
  • Dunning, Eric (1999). Sport Matters: Sociological Studies of Sport, Violence and Civilisation. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-09378-1.
  • Graham, Matthew (1985). Liverpool. Hamlyn Publishing Group. ISBN 0-600-50254-6.
  • Hamil, Sean (2008). "Case 9: Manchester United: the Commercial Development of a Global Football Brand". In Chadwick, Simon; Arth, Dave (eds.). International Cases in the Business of Sport. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-7506-8543-6.
  • Inglis, Simon (1996) [1985]. Football Grounds of Britain (3rd ed.). London: CollinsWillow. ISBN 0-00-218426-5.
  • James, Gary (2008). Manchester: A Football History. Halifax: James Ward. ISBN 978-0-9558127-0-5.
  • Kelly, Stephen F. (1999). The Boot Room Boys: Inside the Anfield Boot Room. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-218907-0.
  • Kelly, Stephen F. (1988). You'll Never Walk Alone. Queen Anne Press. ISBN 0-356-19594-5.
  • Liversedge, Stan (1991). Liverpool:The Official Centenary History. Hamlyn Publishing Group. ISBN 0-600-57308-7.
  • Morgan, Steve (March 2010). McLeish, Ian (ed.). "Design for life". Inside United. Haymarket Network (212). ISSN 1749-6497.
  • Murphy, Alex (2006). The Official Illustrated History of Manchester United. London: Orion Books. ISBN 0-7528-7603-1.
  • Pead, Brian (1986). Liverpool A Complete Record. Breedon Books. ISBN 0-907969-15-1.
  • Reade, Brian (2009). 44 Years with the Same Bird. Pan. ISBN 1-74329-366-6.
  • Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2008–2009. London: Headline Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-7553-1820-9.
  • Shury, Alan; Landamore, Brian (2005). The Definitive Newton Heath F.C. SoccerData. ISBN 1-899468-16-1.
  • Tyrrell, Tom; Meek, David (1996) [1988]. The Hamlyn Illustrated History of Manchester United 1878–1996 (5th ed.). London: Hamlyn. ISBN 0-600-59074-7.
  • White, Jim (2008). Manchester United: The Biography. London: Sphere. ISBN 978-1-84744-088-4.
  • White, John (2007) [2005]. The United Miscellany (2nd ed.). London: Carlton Books. ISBN 978-1-84442-745-1.

References
  1. "United versus Liverpool". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Barn End Media. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
  2. "Ryan Giggs". StretfordEnd.co.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  3. "Liverpool FC Head to Heads Manchester United". Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  4. "Manchester United Football Club Match Record and Head to Head Stats v Liverpool". MUFCinfo.com. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  5. "The 20 biggest rivalries in world football ranked – Liverpool vs Manchester Utd". The Telegraph. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  6. "The 20 biggest rivalries in world football ranked – The Super Clasico". The Telegraph. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  7. "The 20 biggest rivalries in world football ranked – the Old Firm". The Telegraph. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  8. "The 20 biggest rivalries in world football ranked – Deby Della Madonnina". The Telegraph. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  9. Aldred, Tanya (22 January 2004). "Rivals uncovered". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  10. "Liverpool remain Manchester United's 'biggest rival' says Ryan Giggs". The Independent. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  11. "The 7 Greatest Rivalries in Club Football: From Boca to the Bernabeu". The Bleacher Report. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  12. Harris, Nick (21 July 2014). "MAN UNITED AND LIVERPOOL REMAIN TOP TV DRAWS DESPITE 2013–14 WITHOUT TROPHIES". Sporting Intelligence. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  13. "Man Utd drops down wealth league". BBC News. 8 February 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  14. Rohrer, Finlo (21 August 2007). "Scouse v Manc". BBC News. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
  15. "Leeds United England's 12th biggest club, according to Sky Sports study". Sky Sports.
  16. "Liverpool v Manchester United: The bitter rivalry".
  17. "Which club has won the most trophies in Europe". Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  18. "Are Liverpool and Everton bigger than Man Utd and Man City?". Sky Sports.
  19. "Liverpool v Manchester United: The bitter rivalry". BBC Sport.
  20. "Which club has won the most trophies in Europe? The most successful clubs from the best leagues revealed". talkSPORT.
  21. "Manchester to Liverpool: the first inter-city railway". BBC. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  22. Mitten, Andy (2008). Mad for It. London: HarperSport. pp. 6–7. ISBN 978-0-00-728080-3.
  23. Barnes et al. (2001), p. 8.
  24. "Liverpool Football Club is formed". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 12 July 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  25. "England 1893–94". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
  26. "FA CHARITY / COMMUNITY SHIELD".
  27. Bleier, Evan (11 December 2014). "Man United v Liverpool rivalry in quotes". Manchester Evening News.
  28. "Trophy Room". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  29. "Liverpool v Man United: which club's golden age is the best?". talkSPORT.
  30. "Man Utd v Liverpool: A strange kind of sporting love affair?". BBC Sport.
  31. "Blog: The history of Liverpool-Man United". Liverpool FC.
  32. "Thanks to Europa title, Man Utd's gruelling season couldn't have ended better". ESPNFC.com.
  33. Gravela, Lorenzo (2011). Soccer World - Winter Edition 2011. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-4477-6323-9.
  34. "The legacy of the boot room". BBC Sport.
  35. "Bob Paisley". liverpoolfc.com. Liverpool FC. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  36. Keegan, Mike (8 January 2014). "The lessons for Manchester United to learn from Liverpool's demise – Manchester Evening News". Manchester Evening News.
  37. "History by Decade".
  38. "Manchester United official history 1910 to 1919 – Official Manchester United Website".
  39. "BBC ON THIS DAY – 29 – 1968: Manchester Utd win European Cup".
  40. Taylor, Daniel (9 January 2011). "The greatest challenge of Sir Alex Ferguson's career is almost over". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 December 2015. My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch, and you can print that
  41. "Sir Alex Ferguson hopes Manchester United record beaten – ESPN FC". ESPNFC.com.
  42. "Rooney: I Hate Liverpool". 12 March 2009. Retrieved 23 March 2009.
  43. Smyth, Rob (22 October 2015). "Manchester United 2–2 Liverpool: the Class of 92, Spice Boys and Cantona's return". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  44. "Man Utd 1–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 22 January 2006.
  45. "Manchester United news: Gary Neville says Liverpool badge-kissing celebration was 'absolutely worth' £10,000 fine". The Independent. 14 October 2016.
  46. "More Complicated Than Hate". The Players' Tribune. 16 October 2016.
  47. "Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher look back on Manchester United v Liverpool clash". Sky Sports. 11 January 2017.
  48. "The day that Phil crossed the great divide!". Liverpool Echo. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  49. "Owen completes switch to Man Utd". BBC Sport. 3 July 2009. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  50. "Liverpool Eyeing Heinze". thesoccerblog.org. 3 July 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  52. Mitten, Andy (2007). The Man Utd Miscellany. London: Vision Sports Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-905326-27-3.
  53. Hinson, Paul (June 2004). "United All-Time Transfer List". Red11.org. Retrieved 3 August 2008.
  54. "Local Supporters Clubs". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  55. "LFC Official Supporters Clubs". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  56. Rickard, Matt (5 July 2005). "United We Stand". ESPN. Retrieved 12 July 2005.
  57. Brady, Robert (2006). An Undividable Glow – The story of FCUM's first season. Robert Brady. ISBN 978-0-9553620-0-2.
  58. Wilson, Bill (6 February 2007). "US business duo at Liverpool helm". BBC. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  59. McNulty, Phil (20 January 2008). "Liverpool braced for takeover bid". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  60. Bandini, Paolo (16 April 2010). "Liverpool appoint Martin Broughton as chairman to oversee sale of club". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
  61. Conn, David (7 May 2010). "Auditors cast doubt on future of Liverpool after losses". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  62. "Liverpool takeover to go ahead as owners lose case". ESPN. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  63. "Liverpool takeover completed by US company NESV". BBC Sport. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  64. "Wembley to act over spitting". The Independent. London. 13 May 1996. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  65. "Anfield Admits Excrement Thrown at Utd Fans". ESPN Soccernet. ESPN. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  66. "Rival Fans Vandalise Old Trafford". BBC News. 25 April 2006. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  67. King, Dominic (14 March 2011). "Sick chants, three arrests and four red cards ruin FA Youth Cup clash between Liverpool and Manchester United". Daily Mail. London.
  68. "Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge slams Manchester United fans who marred Youth Cup game". The Daily Telegraph. 14 March 2011.
  69. "Liverpool fans unveil abusive banner towards Manchester United fans on motorway". GiveMeSport. 11 March 2016.
  70. Dobson, Mark (17 March 2016). "Liverpool supporters welcomed to Manchester with 'murderers' banner". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  71. Whaling, James (18 March 2016). "Man United and Liverpool fans clash inside Old Trafford during Europa League tie". The mirror.
  72. Mackay, Hamish (19 March 2016). "Is this the reason Man United and Liverpool fans clashed inside Old Trafford?". The mirror.
  73. "Uefa fines Liverpool and Manchester United for illicit chants". 24 May 2016 – via bbc.co.uk.
  74. "Football News – all the latest breaking football stories – Mirror Online".
  75. "Bob Paisley – LFChistory – Stats galore for Liverpool FC!".
  76. Rice, Simon (4 March 2011). "Classic Liverpool v Manchester United encounters". The Independent. London.
  77. Wilkerson, Ian (16 February 2006). "FA Cup flashback". BBC Sport.
  78. "Liverpool lift Worthington Cup". BBC Sport. 2 March 2003. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  79. "Man Utd 1–4 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 14 March 2009.
  80. McNulty, Phil (18 May 2009). "Man Utd 0–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport.
  81. Brett, Oliver (24 May 2009). "Liverpool 3–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport.
  82. "Liverpool striker Luis Suarez handed eight-match ban". BBC Sport. 20 December 2011.
  83. McNulty, Phil (11 February 2012). "Man Utd 2–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport.
  84. "Liverpool v Manchester United: The bitter rivalry". BBC Sport. 21 September 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.