Manchester United vs Liverpool: 5 reasons why this could be the best derby in recent years

One shade of ‘Red’ dominated the football world in the '70s and '80s, the other followed suit in the '90s and 2000s. They may no longer be at the pinnacle of the football world but when these two giants of English football face each other, everything else in football becomes insignificant.

It doesn’t matter where these teams are in the league table because when Liverpool and Manchester United face each other, it will always be special. There is too much history between these sides for this fixture to ever lose its appeal.

On 10 March, when United host their arch-rivals, the battle may decide who finishes second at the end of the season but, nevertheless, the bragging rights are what matters the most.

The recent fixtures between the two teams haven’t got the fans excited like it should, but that could change this time around and here are five reasons why.

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#1 Salah vs De Gea: Unstoppable force vs immovable object

De Gea and Salah are probably the most important players for either team

David De Gea is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, let alone the Premier League. If you disagree, you should just see his out-of-the-world performance against Arsenal at the Emirates this season.

The Spaniard has a terrific history against Liverpool. In fact, some of his best saves are against Liverpool and it would be foolish to think that he'll have an off day this time around.

It will take a monumental effort to get past De Gea in goal and, if anyone can, then Mohamed Salah can.

In the Egyptian, Liverpool have arguably the best player in the league this season and he has been banging in goals irrespective of who the opposition is.

Salah will carve out chances, that’s a given, and De Gea will make some outstanding saves, that’s also a given. It will be a battle of epic proportions to see who wins - the unstoppable force or the immovable object.

#2 The race to be the best of the rest

Spurs and Chelsea are breathing down the neck of Liverpool and Man Utd

In recent years, when the two teams have played each other, the stakes have not been high and the teams are usually separated by a lot of points. Not this time.

The league title is almost sealed, but the race to see which team finishes second, third and fourth is still wide open. As things stand, four points separate second-placed Manchester United (62 points) and fourth-placed Spurs (58 points) with Liverpool sandwiched in between (60 points).

Fifth-placed Chelsea only have 53 points at the moment, but there is no room for a mistake for Liverpool or Manchester United. In addition, both managers will want their team to finish above their arch-rival even though the league title is out of reach.

#3 The history of the two managers

Klopp and Mourinho are two managers with a contrasting approach towards the game

Very few managers in history have got the better of Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp is one of them. The two managers have played each other 8 times with Klopp coming out on top 3 times, four matches ending in a draw and a lone victory for Mourinho.

One of Klopp’s greatest ever victories was against Mourinho when his Borussia Dortmund side beat Mourinho’s Real Madrid 4-1! Also, Klopp’s first Premier League win was against Mourinho’s Chelsea; a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

However, the previous three matches between the two sides (all under the same managers) have ended in a stalemate. All things considered, Mourinho will want to better his record against the German manager and it is a great opportunity considering his side are at home.

As for Klopp, Manchester United is the only Top 6 side his Liverpool have not beaten in the Premier League since he took over. He will want to get that weight off his shoulder.

#4 Local lads to spice up the contest

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only Scouser in the Liverpool squad

One thing that has reduced the intensity of this particular contest is the lack of local lads in either team. Gone are the days of Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes.

The lads from Liverpool and Manchester know the importance of this particular fixture more than anyone. They know that for the fans from these cities, this is more than just a football match.

When Gerrard played his last game against Manchester United, he was sent off for a dangerous challenge less than a minute after coming on. But he wasn’t to be blamed as he watched from the sidelines as his side failed to produce the intensity needed in a game of this magnitude.

Finally, after so many dull games in recent years, there is the possibility of a terrific encounter with Scousers and Mancunians lining up for their beloved clubs.

The likes of Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard could represent the Mancunians while Trent Alexander-Arnold could do the same for the Scousers.

Let’s hope that these lads get a start so that they can add some fire to the game.

#5 A debt to the football world

It has been a while since this fixture saw an all-out brawl

For a rivalry that is as intense and historic as this, for a match that is viewed by a record audience, the recent games between the two teams have been incredible letdowns.

The previous 6 games between the sides have produced a combined total of 7 goals! During this period, Liverpool’s only win was a 2-0 win at Anfield in the Europa League and Manchester United’s only win was a 1-0 win - also at Anfield.

The remaining four games feature two 0-0 draws at Anfield and two 1-1 draws at Old Trafford. It’s not only about the goals, these games have been bereft of the intensity that made this rivalry what it is today.

Maybe, the managers have adopted a pragmatic approach. But for the sake of football, the two teams owe the ever-growing audience a fantastic match. One that features breathtaking goals and saves, one that features crunching tackles and maybe even a red card or two.

The two teams have to make it a nightmare for the referee, they have to make it one of the greatest matches ever between them, they have to remind the whole world that this is Manchester United vs Liverpool - one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the beautiful game.