Currently neck and neck for the fight to claim the Premier League crown, reminisent of the glory days of English footballs top tier, Manchester United and Liverpool are set to face-off. Level on points but with a game in hand, the Premier League leaders host the Red Devils at Anfield on January 18th. As we gear up for another exciting battle between these two north west rivals, let’s take a look back at some of their greatest clashes in England’s top flight.
1. Liverpool 3-3 Manchester United (January 4th 1994)
It was misery on Merseyside for the Manchester club, who held a commanding three-goal lead – only to throw it away. Great Premier League comebacks are often talked about and this was one of them. Wearing a vintage black shirt, United were runaway leaders at the top of the table and led by three goals with only 25 minutes on the clock. Steve Bruce, Denis Irwin and Ryan Giggs all scored against an off-the-pace Liverpool, who sat eighth prior to the match. But the comeback was on when a first half double from Nigel Clough set up an exciting second period. The turnaround was complete on 80 minutes, when Neil Ruddock’s bullet header hit the back of the net.
2. Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United (May 5th 1999)
With Manchester United and Arsenal battling for the league title, the pendulum swung in the North Londoners’ favour after this thrilling encounter at Anfield. United found themselves two goals up, courtesy of Dwight Yorke’s header and an Irwin penalty. The hosts were awarded a dubious penalty in the second half when Oyvind Leonhardsen went down under a challenge from Jesper Blomqvist – with Jamie Redknapp coolly slotting away the spot kick. Liverpool were handed a lifeline when Irwin received his second yellow card of the game and made their man advantage pay. Paul Ince scored against his former club in stoppage time to earn a vital point. But we all know what happened next…
3. Liverpool 2-3 Manchester United (September 11th 1999)
This game was lost by two first-half own goals. The first came after just three minutes when Jamie Carragher put through his own net. The defensive frailties continued and an unchallenged Andy Cole rose highest to meet David Beckham’s trademark free-kick. Liverpool pulled one back thorough Sami Hyypia’s header but United restored their two-goal cushion before the break – Carragher again on the unfortunate end of another Beckham free-kick. Despite Patrik Berger scoring after the hour mark and Cole receiving his second booking of the game with 20 minutes remaining, Liverpool couldn’t find the equaliser in what proved to be a feisty finish.
4. Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (March 14th 2009)
The Mancunian club received a mauling at Old Trafford, which in turn revived Liverpool’s hopes for the title. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side looked set to assert their dominance at the top of the table when Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty gave them an early lead – bur Fernando Torres equalised eight minutes later. Wearing a retro shirt harping back to their 1990 effort, he visitors went in at the break the happier of the two, when Steven Gerrard converted his penalty to hand Liverpool the lead. United’s misery continued when Nemanja Vidic was sent off with 15 minutes remaining and Liverpool capitalised – first Fabio Aurelio’s curling free-kick made it 3-1, before substitute Andrea Dossena lobbed Edwin Van der Sar in the home goal. The Red Devils stayed top of the table, with a four-point advantage and game in hand over their rivals.
5. Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool (September 19th 2010)
A masterclass from Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov earned him the match ball and Manchester United an early-season victory. The rejuvenated Berbatov scored either side of the break to give the Red Devils a two-goal lead, before Liverpool hit back. Two goals in six minutes from Steven Gerrard gave the Merseysiders a lifeline. His first came from the penalty spot, while the second was a free-kick from 20 yards out – both given for fouls on Torres. But Berbatov had the final say and his towering header six minutes from time sealed the victory to leave Liverpool 16th in the table, with five points from as many matches.