This Sunday marks yet another chapter of the historic North-West derby between Manchester United and Liverpool.
The two clubs have won more English titles and European Cups, respectively, than any other team in England. The North-West Derby is a always a spectacle and rarely disappoints. A bitter rivalry between two clubs with rich history, neither side will want to lose. A countdown of the best and most memorable North-West derbies…
Liverpool 3-3 Manchester United, January 1994
No one does a dramatic comeback from a 0-3 deficit quite like Liverpool do. United blazed out in front with a three goal lead within 24 minutes. Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs, and Denis Irwin put the visitors ahead. Sir Alex Ferguson’s men looked on course to an easy win against their fiercest rivals. However, Liverpool fought back to lower the deficit to only one heading into halftime, thanks to a Nigel Clough brace. United desperately attempted to hang on, but their efforts came up short as Neil Ruddock equalized for the home side with just 11 minutes to go on the game clock. A fitting and dramatic ending to a fixture with so much history. For United supporters, it was a forgettable result, however, the day was remembered in part because of the famous Kop End holding up a banner which read: “Come back when you’ve won 18”.
Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool, October 1995
This fixture was all about the two star strikers for their respective sides: Eric Cantona and Robbie Fowler. The match marked the return of Cantona from an eight month ban after his infamous ‘kung-fu’ style kick on a spectator at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. Cantona didn’t take long to get back to work as he assisted Nicky Butt’s opening goal of the game. Robbie Fowler hit back hard as he attempted to spoil Cantona’s return, with two well take goals to put Liverpool in front. However, Cantona wasn’t ready to be shown up by Fowler’s great display as he slotted home a penalty at the halfway point of the second half. One of Cantona’s famous celebrations followed suit as he took a spin on the goal stanchion.
Liverpool 2-3 Manchester United, September 1999
This was definitely a forgettable night for former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. The ex-star and turned Sky Sport pundit scored two own goals. After the first own goal headed by his keeper Westerveld, and followed by an Andy Cole goal, United looked on course to an easy win. Italian keeper Massimo Taibi had a short stint at United and making his debut for the Red Devils on this night, handed Liverpool a life line once he failed to handle a Sami Hyypia free kick. With the scoreline 1-2, Carragher again had the misfortune of heading into his own net. Patrik Berger got the hosts within one but that is as close as they’d get to a comeback.
Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool, March 2009
Liverpool got off to an impressive star to their campaign, and looked on course to finally end their Premier League trophy drought. However, by the time March came around and their annual fixture at Old Trafford, Liverpool’s form had dipped and this was a crucial match for any hope of success. Despite United winning the title and Liverpool coming up just short and settling for second, they gave United a run for their money. Cristiano Ronaldo gave United the advantage from the penalty spot but Liverpool hit back harder than ever through Fernando Torres, who famously pressured Nemanja Vidic into an uncharacteristic mistake and creating an unforgettable scene in the fixture, then Steven Gerrard scored a penalty of his own. Fabio Aurellio added a free-kick goal for Liverpool and the scoring was finished off by Andrea Dossena who completed a very historic and good day out for Liverpool and their supporters at Old Trafford.
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United, March 2011
Dirk Kuyt was the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick against United in the derby since Peter Beardsley in 1990. Sir Alex Ferguson’s team went 23 games unbeaten at the start of the season, but eventually hit a tough patch and one of the results included Kenny Dalglish and his Liverpool men getting the best of United. Liverpool were playing spoilers as United were closed down in the standings, but eventually held on to claim the title. Despite a disappointing 6th place finish at the end of the season, this served as one of the more memorable North-West derby for Liverpool and their supporters.
Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool, February 2012
Just when the footballing world thought the United-Liverpool rivalry couldn’t get anymore bitter, they were proven wrong. In the first game of the season between the two sides at Anfield, Patrice Evra accused Luis Suarez of racially abusing him during the match. Suarez was subsequently found guilty and handed an eight match ban by the English FA. Of course Liverpool and their supporters were infuriated with the suspension and it so happened that fate had Suarez’s very first game after his ban be at Old Trafford. The build up and hype leading to the match had that much more intensity to it. Speculation grew about whether Suarez would shake Evra’s hand in the pre-match hand shake, and vice versa. When the two bypassed one another. That set the stage for a hostile match, and it ended 2-1 in favour of United thanks to a Wayne Rooney brace. The on going Suarez-Evra controversy didn’t end there however, as Evra purposely celebrated his team’s victory in front of Suarez as the players were leaving the field.