They don’t even play in the same city, yet there are few Premier League rivalries that can match the intensity and passion of Liverpool vs Manchester United.
Barely 30 miles separates two of the fiercest foes in English football, but the cities of Manchester and Liverpool have plenty in common.
However, when it comes to football they are worlds apart, and for fans of both clubs, there is still nothing better than beating the team from the other end of the East Lancs Road.
So here are some of the more memorable clashes between English football’s two most successful sides.
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Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool – January 1989
United were floundering in mid-table when they welcomed Liverpool to Old Trafford for this New Year’s Day clash which was to be broadcast to an audience of millions via ITV’s new live football show ‘The Match.’
Liverpool were involved in a title battle with Arsenal and Norwich at the time while United, having finished second to the Merseysiders the previous season, had endured something of a frustrating campaign; so, when John Barnes put the visitors ahead after 70 minutes it appeared that Alex Ferguson’s men would be on the receiving end of another defeat.
But three goals in eight minutes from Brian McClair, Mark Hughes and young starlet Russell Bearsdsmore would turn the game on its head and provide those who were there, not to mention those watching at home on television, with an afternoon they will never forget.
Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United – April 1992
For much of the 1991/92 season it looked like Manchester United would finally end their 25 year wait to lift the English top-flight title as they battled with Leeds for the last old First Division championship before the advent of the Premier League.
But an awful end to the campaign saw United squander their big chance as Leeds overtook them at the top with just two games remaining – meaning Alex Ferguson’s men had to win at Anfield to have any chance of being crowned champions.
And at a baying Anfield, Liverpool needed no encouragement to inflict a mortal wound to their bitter rivals as goals from Ian Rush and Mark Walters ensured United’s wait for another title would go on – though they did win the inaugural Premier League title 12-months later.
Liverpool 3-3 Manchester United – January 1994
At the start of 1994, Liverpool were languishing through the final days of Graeme Souness’ tenure as manager during the second season of the new Premier League while Manchester United were looking for their second Premier League title on the bounce.
So it was no surprise when United took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first 25 minutes thanks to goals from Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs and Denis Irwin.
But Liverpool weren’t to be denied and responded almost immediately with a brace from Nigel Clough before Neil Ruddock’s brave header salvaged a point for Liverpool in front of a delirious Kop.
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool – January 1999
The 1998/99 season will always be remembered as the campaign where Manchester United became the first English side to complete the treble of League, FA Cup and Champions League, but that achievement so nearly didn’t happen as Alex Ferguson’s men faced Liverpool in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford in January.
The visitors stunned the home crowd when they took the lead through Michael Owen as early as the third minute, and although United had plenty of chances to find the net themselves, it appeared that their involvement in that season’s competition would be coming to an end.
However, when Dwight Yorke forced the ball home from a David Beckham free-kick it looked like they would at least gain a replay, but there would be no need as, in the second minute of stoppage time, Ole Gunnar Solskjær hit a shot that sent Liverpool goalkeeper David James the wrong way to give United a famous win.
Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United – October 2009
Liverpool and Rafael Benitez were in a precarious position when they welcomed United to Old Trafford in October 2008, having lost their previous four matches to plunge into depths they’ve barely been in before.
To make things worse, just days before they had been beaten at Sunderland with the help of a beach ball which deflected Darren Bent’s shot past keeper Pepe Reina.
But they rose to the challenge with Torres holding off Ferdinand to score the opener, and then – with Owen up the other end in a United shirt – David Ngog raced clear to wrap it up late on, sparking wild celebrations.
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