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The 7 most memorable Manchester United v Liverpool matches
The 7 most memorable Manchester United v Liverpool matches
Manchester United vs. Liverpool is the first match that every football fan looks for when next season’s Premier League fixtures are announced. The two sides have served up many tasty matches in the past and Sunday’s fixture should be no different – although there may be a distinct lack of bite with both teams no longer fighting for the title. Here are the five greatest matches between the two sides in recent memory – let’s hope that Sunday’s game is as entertaining as some of these classics!
7. Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool (23/03/2008)
This match is known for Javier Mascherano’s first-half sending off after he was dismissed for persistent complaining and dissent towards referee Steve Bennett. Wes Brown opened the scoring with a close-range header before Cristiano Ronaldo doubled United’s lead after the break. As Liverpool were forced to chase the game with a man short, United completed the victory with a classy goal from Nani. This was one of many visits to Old Trafford under Rafa Benitez where the Merseyside outfit felt hard done by with decisions. Highlights of this clash can be seen below.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcLBvILzvkM” width=”500″][/su_youtube]
6. Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool (22/01/2006)
Rio Ferdinand scored a last minute header to earn all three points for the Red Devils. The centre-back’s goal sent the Stretford End into raptures and sparked Gary Neville’s infamous celebration off in front of the travelling supporters. This game is certainly remembered mainly for the final few moments of injury time rather than the preceding 90 minutes. As you can see by the video below, the United players were rather happy to beat their close rivals in this clash.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QubF5Afcuek” width=”500″][/su_youtube]
5. Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool (19/09/2010)
This match will forever be recognised as one of Dimitar Berbatov’s finest in a United shirt. The striker became the first player to score a hat-trick in this fixture during the Premier League era, helping his side to claim all three points despite a spirited Liverpool comeback. Berbatov scored on both sides of the interval, including a phenomenal overhead kick, to put United firmly in control before two Steven Gerrard strikes got Liverpool back into the contest. With just six minutes to go, Berbatov scored a header to complete his hat-trick and give Sir Alex Ferguson yet another victory over their archrivals. The Bulgarian’s goals can be seen below.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewR9Aekssq4″ width=”500″][/su_youtube]
4. Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool (16/03/2014)
In their most recent clash, Liverpool arrived at Old Trafford as contenders for the title while the Manchester outfit were struggling to finish in a European spot. This game went with the form guide as David Moyes’ side produced an uninspired, lethargic and predictable performance while rarely testing Liverpool defensively. Mark Clattenburg awarded the Reds three penalties, with Steven Gerrard scoring two but missed the chance to complete his penalty hat-trick. To add insult to injury for United, nemesis Luis Suarez scored Liverpool’s other goal as they ran out convincing winners in the end. Highlights of this clash can be seen below.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVkstIcdL0Y” width=”500″][/su_youtube]
3. Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United (15/10/2011)
The match hardly lives long in the memory as this was a close affair with both teams setting out not to lose rather than looking to win. However, this game is known for the incident between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra. The Uruguayan striker was accused of racially abusing the left-back after a brief confrontation midway through the second half. Evra was clearly in distress after the incident and it quickly became apparent that something had occurred. Suarez was found guilty of racial abuse and was banned for eight matches. As for the result, Javier Hernandez equalised with less than 10 minutes to go after Steven Gerrard had put Liverpool in front after 68 minutes. The video below shows Suarez’s first match back after his ban, which came at Old Trafford and shows the ill-feeling remained between the two.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L26p4wXmxyc” width=”500″][/su_youtube]
2. Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United (3/03/2007)
“The John O’Shea game.” The unlikeliest of scorers bundled in an injury-time winner in front of the Kop to send the travelling fans wild. This result was made that bit sweeter after United went on to win the Premier League title, with that victory proving to be a huge momentum swing in their favour. United were forced to play the last five minutes with 10 men after Paul Scholes was sent off for lashing out at Xabi Alonso but luckily for him, his petulance ultimately didn’t affect the final result as the Manchester side snatched all three points right t the death. The goal, along with interview comments, can be seen below.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHxJThRSkHQ” width=”500″][/su_youtube]
1. Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (14/03/2009)
Every football fan remembers this match. United lost 4-1 at home to Liverpool as the travelling side kept pace in the title race. The Red Devils went 1-0 up through a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty but were second-best for the majority as Liverpool produced a merciless performance against their archrivals. Fernando Torres equalised before Steven Gerrard scored from the penalty spot to give Liverpool a half-time lead. Nemanja Vidic was sent off and Fabio Aurelio scored from the resulting free-kick to put Liverpool firmly in control before Andrea Dossena lobbed Edwin van der Sar in injury time to send the away fans into raptures. Highlights of the clash can be seen below.
[su_youtube url=” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGAusKj8FPI ” width=”500″][/su_youtube]
