The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool FC is considered to be one of the biggest ones in the world. The two clubs are not just footballing rivals, but represent two cities which have competed with each other for over a century as ports. Between them, Manchester United and Liverpool FC have 38 league titles and 8 European Cups. As Manchester United prepare to welcome Liverpool FC to Old Trafford, we look at the last three Premier League clashes at the home of United between two of England’s biggest clubs.
1 – Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool FC (2014-15)
Both clubs had spent plenty of money in the transfer window when they clashed in December for the first time with Louis van Gaal in charge of United. The result was an emphatic one for the Dutchman as Liverpool crashed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a clinical Manchester United, who were subsequently able to avenge their 2013-14 loss at Old Trafford.
David de Gea was the star or the show, as he had been for most of the season, pulling off stunning saves to deny a depleted Liverpool FC forward line led by Raheem Sterling in the absence of a recognized forward in the Reds lineup. Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie were on target for Manchester United.
The home side also went on to beat Liverpool at Anfield in the reverse fixture to take the fourth and final Champions League place in the Premier League table despite a topsy-turvy season blighted with injury problems.
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Liverpool FC on the other hand, had sold their talisman Luis Suarez and struggled in the absence of Daniel Sturridge who had missed most of the season due to injury. The Merseyside outfit eventually finished a disappointing sixth.
2 – Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool FC (2013-14)
Never has a Manchester United side in the Premier League era looked so under-prepared for a battle with Liverpool at their home ground as they were in this game. Liverpool FC had a brilliant campaign and almost won the league title, only for an unfortunate Steven Gerrard slip to infamously take the title away from them. United had undergone major changes with the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, with former Everton manager David Moyes taking over as the new boss of the club. He was eventually sacked before the end of the season and this was one of the games where not only his tactics, but also his ability to motivate his players were questioned.
Liverpool had no such problem. A double from captain Steven Gerrard from the penalty spot and late goal from Luis Suarez ensured they routed the defending Premier League champions 3-0 at their own backyard, leading to growing anger among the United faithful for David Moyes.
3 – Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool FC (2012-13)
The season turned out to be the last for Sir Alex Ferguson and indeed, the last title win for United came this season. Goals from new signing Robin van Persie and defender Nemanja Vidic were enough to give the home side a 2-1 win and Daniel Sturridge’s debut goal eventually proved to be just a consolation.
Brendan Rodgers’ first experience of Old Trafford was a mixed one, with United never really hitting their top gear but still managing to keep Liverpool at bay. Not classic Ferguson, but that is what the Red Devils were in his late days – a machine that knew to win games without really hitting their best.
With this win, Sir Alex Ferguson completed a double over Liverpool FC in his final season in charge. Brendan Rodgers would go onto avenge the double league loss in emphatic fashion in the 2013-14 season but Liverpool FC finished a disappointing 7th in the Northern Irishman’s first year in charge.
