The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is one of the biggest clashes in England, on par with Spain’s El Clasico and more important to the clubs than even their own derbies against Everton and Manchester City, respectively. And now, the enmity between the two teams is about to get a fresh lease of life with managers Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho facing off on Monday night.
This latest fixture will also be used as a marker to predict who has the better shot at the Premier League title this year. While the Red Devils have stuttered, Klopp’s men have been an impressive attacking force since the start of the season.
Apart from being England’s two most decorated and prominent clubs, their rivalry stems from geographical proximity and economic and industrial competition.
Whatever the night may bring, this particular battle is steeped in history that goes back more than a century.
Here’s looking back at the five most iconic moments from the Liverpool-Manchester United fixture:
#5 Gary Neville adds insult to injury
(Video Courtesy: sonye YouTube Channel)
The animosity between United and Liverpool has existed for years with supporters and players going out of their way to stick it to their rivals and no one did it better than Mancunian Gary Neville in January of 2006.
That night, Ferguson’s men squeezed a narrow one-goal victory over their long-time foes thanks to a header from Rio Ferdinand towards the very end. The result was to have a significant effect on the final league standings as United finished second and Liverpool third, just one point behind.
What makes game a memorable one is Gary Neville’s celebration after the final whistle. Instead of celebrating with his teammates in front of home supporters, he ran down the pitch to where the travelling fans were and gloated wildly in front of them. The ex-United captain was criticised for his unsportsmanlike behaviour and was fined £5,000 by the FA, but it's unlikely he cared. After all, they got one over Liverpool.
#4 Kiss the camera
(Video Courtesy: MrBoywunder YouTube Channel)
Ronaldo’s penalty in the 23rd minute gave United the lead, but Liverpool striker, Fernando Torres – back when he was still sensational – spooked Vidic into losing the ball and scored the equaliser. Three more of Rafael Benitez’s players were to score that night – Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena. The night was to turn even more sour for Vidic as he was sent off for a foul in the 75th minute.
However, none of these surpasses the whimsical brilliance of Gerrard’s celebration after he scored the penalty that night.
After his shot was safely nestled in the back of the net, he ran over to one of the cameras pitch-side and kissed the lens to add to the misery of the United faithful.
#3 Liverpool gives Leeds the title
(Video Courtesy: sp1873 YouTube Channel)
It was April 1992 and the final season of the League Division One was drawing to a close – the top tier of English football was to be re-launched as the FA Premier League the following season.
Manchester United was on the cusp of ending their 21-year trophy drought and their only competition for the league title was Leeds United.
The Reds themselves had no chance of winning the league but they sure rained on their rival’s parade. Ian Rush and Mark Walters scored one goal each to ensure United lost out. They might as well have handed over the trophy to Leeds themselves after they finished on top with 82 points and United were four behind.
#2 When Liverpool dared United
Liverpool pulled off a historic comeback against United in January 1994. The Red Devils had scored three goals within 24 minutes and the visitors looked like they were done for the night. Their best case scenario was not to concede any more. But things took a turn for the worse for Fergie’s men that day. Nigel Clough scored two, much to the delight of the home supporters and Neil Ruddock scored the equaliser that sent Anfield into a frenzy.
The draw that night was almost as good as a victory. It was also during this match that a group of Anfield fans famously showed off a banner with a message for the visitors. “Come back when you’ve won 18,” it said. United had just won nine league titles till then. Years later when United equalled Liverpool’s record, Mancunian fans made their own banner.
#1 ‘The Spice Boys’
Jamie Redknapp, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Jason McAteer and David James - the 'Spice Boys' of Liverpool, were best described by Neil Ruddock when he said, "We were the first players to get big money, Porsches and Ferraris and get page three birds into bed... We rewrote football history, really. It was great fun, looking back".
It wasn’t as much fun when they took their obsession with high-fashion and lifestyle too far and showed up for an FA Cup final against Manchester United in 1996 wearing matching cream-coloured Armani suits.
According to tradition, players usually arrive in their team’s formal uniform, and when the Liverpool team wore those flamboyant suits, the media and their opposition were taken aback. They were eventually ripped to shreds by their supporters when they lost the game by a goal. Many felt that if they had concentrated less on their appearance and more on their performance, they might have managed a win.
