5 times Liverpool destroyed Manchester United in the Premier League era

#3 Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool, 14th March 2009

The 2008/09 season saw Liverpool in a race against Manchester United for the Premier League title, and although Rafael Benitez’s side fell at the final hurdle – they missed the title by just four points, despite losing two fewer games than United – they did claim some pride in March as they dismantled United 4-1 at Old Trafford to keep their hopes alive, although in the end they were dashed by Alex Ferguson’s men yet again.

The game though was United’s heaviest defeat all season, as well as their heaviest home defeat since 1992 – well over a decade. It also came despite them taking an early lead through a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. But when Fernando Torres capitalised on a mistake from Nemanja Vidic and slotted past Edwin Van Der Sar less than ten minutes later, the tide turned in an instant. Torres – aided by the likes of Steven Gerrard in midfield – was too hot for Vidic to handle and gave him a torrid game.

Liverpool took the lead in the 44th minute through a Gerrard penalty after he was tripped by Patrice Evra, and they then extended in the second half through a free-kick from Fabio Aurelio following the sending-off of Vidic, as he committed a professional foul on Gerrard. The fourth goal was a pub quiz classic – scored by Italian left-winger Andrea Dossena. He only played 18 times for Liverpool and this was his only goal. Despite United having the last laugh with their league win, this was a truly humiliating defeat for them to endure.