Sport
Manchester United v Liverpool: 5 most memorable meetings
Manchester United have made a shocking start to the new season under Erik ten Hag and the bad news is it could be about to get even worse: on Monday they have to play host to Liverpool.
Last season saw Liverpool inflict twin humiliations on the Red Devils, backing up a 5-0 thrashing at Old Trafford with a similarly comprehensive 4-0 victory at home in April.
While United were able to celebrate a 4-0 victory over their rivals in a recent pre-season friendly, Liverpool were underpowered on that day and this clash is likely to be a very different story.
Here are five of the most memorable modern meetings between these two grand old clubs.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool, Premier League, December 14 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnIa82-3hMs
Recent seasons have seen the Reds come to dominate this game, but in 2014 United ran out 3-0 victors in a result that piled the pressure on Liverpool’s beleaguered boss Brendan Rodgers.
United were given an early lead by Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata’s header made it 2-0 before the half-time interval, ensuring that the hosts went into the break in complete control.
While David de Gea made a string of superb saves in order to preserve his clean sheet, United eased to a famous win over their rivals when Robin van Persie struck to wrap up the scoring.
Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool, Premier League, September 19 2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP_yG8OsgUU&ab_channel=SkySportsFootball
An early-season meeting between the sides 12 years ago was decided by a brilliant Dimitar Berbatov hat-trick, with the striker stamping his name all over this famous fixture.
Berbatov’s smart early header put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in front on that day, but the second was even better.
The Bulgarian’s brilliant bicycle kick from Nani’s cross is without a doubt one of the best goals ever to be scored in Manchester United v Liverpool games over the years.
Steven Gerrard halved the arrears for Liverpool from the penalty spot when Fernando Torres was felled in the box by Jonny Evans.
Liverpool’s talismanic midfielder then levelled the scores himself with a low free-kick, but Berbatov ensured that he would have the last word.
John O’Shea sent in a cross from the right wing and Berbatov was there to head in the winner.
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool, Premier League, March 23 2008
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsyFbyX5PuY&ab_channel=ManchesterUnited
United fans will be hoping Ronaldo can roll back the years on Monday, with the Portugal superstar having excelled in a statement win over Liverpool that helped deliver the title in 2008.
Pepe Reina’s fumbled attempt at claiming a cross almost gave United the lead in bizarre circumstances but the host did open the scoring midway through the first half. Rooney whipped in a left-wing cross, Reina came for it and missed the ball, allowing Wes Brown to convert.
Rafael Benitez was incensed when Javier Mascherano talked himself into an early bath before half-time, affecting Liverpool’s chances of launching a comeback. Another Reina error then allowed Ronaldo to head home from a corner, with Nani smashing in from 20 yards to seal it.
Manchester United 2-4 Liverpool, Premier League, May 13 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-AFbA99Ebs
A little over a year ago saw Liverpool win at Old Trafford in a six-goal thriller. The Reds had endured a difficult defence of their long-awaited Premier League title, but Jurgen Klopp’s side were putting together an improved run of form to qualify for the Champions League again.
Protests against United’s unpopular owners, the Glazer family, had led to a postponement of the initial fixture. When the rescheduled game got under way, United took an early lead thanks to the stand-in centre-back Nat Phillips deflecting a Bruno Fernandes effort into his own net.
The lead was short-lived for United. Diogo Jota equalised and Roberto Firmino nodded in to make it 2-1, with the Brazilian then extending Liverpool’s advantage not long after the restart.
Jota hit the woodwork and Marcus Rashford scored his 50th Old Trafford goal to spark hope of a famous fightback, but Liverpool had the last say when Mohamed Salah scored late on.
Manchester United 0-5 Liverpool, Premier League, October 24 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLxmuh6wCVY&ab_channel=LiverpoolFC
Losing 4-0 at Brentford has been described as a historic low for United, but last season’s visit of Liverpool saw the Red Devils suffer one of the most embarrassing results in the club’s history.
Salah slipped in Naby Keita to open the scoring in just the fifth minute and it was soon 2-0 when Jota slid in at the back post to turn home a low right-wing cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Keita turned provider for Salah to make it 3-0 as the floodgates were forced open, then the Egyptian king made it 4-0 with a smart low finish to ensure it was a rout before half-time. A cute dink from Salah over De Gea wrapped up the scoring to complete a day to forget for United.
