Top Ten: Liverpool v Man Utd

Sky Sports

  • Ahead of Grand Slam Sunday we look back at the best games between the North-West’s great rivals.
Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1 – March 1983

The two North-West sides have never liked one another but this dramatic League Cup final sealed the rivalry as United were left devastated. After taking a first-half lead through Norman Whiteside, United were stripped down to the walking wounded. It looked as though it was going to be mission accomplished for United manager Ron Atkinson, but then Alan Kennedy sent the game into extra-time and Ronnie Whelan won it for Liverpool with a sublime curling effort.

Liverpool 2 Manchester United 2 – April 1985

United were eyeing cup revenge and where better to do so than the home of Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton. Goodison Park was the setting as United eyed retribution for their League Cup final defeat two years earlier and this time the competition was the illustrious FA Cup. The script appeared perfectly crafted for the settling of scores and things got even better for United as Mark Hughes put his side in front with four minutes remaining, but Whelan sent the game into extra-time to create a nasty United feeling of déjà vu. Frank Stapleton, though, put the Red Devils in front again, only for his side to be pegged back in the final seconds when Paul Walsh grabbed a lifeline. However, United were to succeed in the replay as they recorded a 2-1 victory.

Liverpool 3 Manchester United 3 – April 1988

United travelled to Anfield 11 points adrift of champions-elect Liverpool, but the Red Devils still harboured hopes of overhauling their rivals. These hopes received a boost when Bryan Robson put United in front. However, in a whirlwind spell either side of half-time, Peter Beardsley, Gary Gillespie and Steve McMahon netted for Liverpool. Robson dragged United back into the game with his second, only for the dismissal of Colin Gibson to deal them a potentially fatal blow. Gordon Strachan had other ideas though, grabbing an equaliser 12 minutes from time.

Liverpool 3 Manchester United 3 – January 1994

Arguably the game which always springs to mind when this fixture rears its head on the Premier League schedule. This was to be the season United stamped their authority on the English top flight as they went on to defend their league title and Liverpool, who previously held the footballing monopoly, languished. However, it was the Anfield outfit who left this encounter with their heads held highest. United stormed into an early 3-0 lead courtesy of Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs and a Denis Irwin free-kick, however Nigel Clough – in possibly his finest Liverpool hour – hit a superb brace in front of the Kop before Neil Ruddock bravely headed home late on.

Manchester United 2 Liverpool 2 – October 1995

This was the stage for the return of United legend Eric Cantona after the mercurial Frenchman’s infamous suspension for entering the Selhurst Park crowd in Bruce Lee style almost 10 months earlier. However, ‘King’ Eric – who quit football in 1997 to take up a career in acting – was very nearly upstaged as Liverpool striker Robbie ‘God’ Fowler’s virtuoso display almost stole the show. Cantona showed an early sign of his taste for the dramatic as he played in Nicky Butt for an opener after two minutes, but Fowler then smashed past Peter Schmeichel before sublimely lobbing the United goalkeeper to give Liverpool the lead. Cantona, though, ensured his place at the top of the bill as he hit home a 71st minute penalty equaliser before twirling around the goal stanchion in a style to make any thespian proud.

Liverpool 1 Manchester United 3 – April 1997

It is not often Liverpool supporters are silenced at their Anfield home but it was the ‘we won the league on Merseyside’ chants of the United faithful which could be heard loudest after this encounter. As the end of the season approached this nerve wrenching encounter saw top of the table United travel to second placed Liverpool with winner psychologically taking all. Gary Pallister headed in a David Beckham cross to give United the lead before John Barnes equalised for Liverpool. However, United defender Pallister then repeated his goal scoring heroics and a howler from Liverpool goalkeeper David James handed Andy Cole the simple task of hitting United’s third to give Sir Alex Ferguson’s side the points and, effectively, the title.

Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1 – January 1999

This was United’s invincible treble winning season and Liverpool felt the full force of their host’s refusal to know when they were beaten in this FA Cup clash. Michael Owen gave Liverpool an early lead at Old Trafford and the Reds looked set to progress to the fifth round. But with just two minutes remaining, Dwight Yorke levelled before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lived up to his ‘baby faced assassin’ nickname and gave an indication of his late goal scoring ability, which was to be seen in the UEFA Champions League final that season, to send United through and break Liverpool hearts.

Liverpool 2 Manchester United 2 – May 1999

United were locked in a head-to-head battle with Arsenal for the Premier League title and faced the less than enviable task of travelling to Anfield to face a Liverpool side with little left to play for in the season other than denying the Red Devils success and avenging their earlier FA Cup defeat. United, though, appeared unflustered as a first half Yorke goal gave them the lead before Irwin doubled the advantage from the penalty spot on 56 minutes. Liverpool were handed a lifeline when Jamie Redknapp hit home a controversial penalty to start Anfield rocking and Irwin then received his marching orders in equally dubious style to give the Kop a scent of a point. Former United ace Paul Ince duly obliged as he fired an equaliser with one minute remaining. United, though, were to have the last laugh as they went on to pip Arsenal to the title by one point.

Manchester United 0 Liverpool 1 – December 2000

The previous season to this Old Trafford clash Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier had stated: “We will beat them one day, I promise you that.” Liverpool had gone ten games without success against United but, almost exactly seven years to this Sunday’s clash, Houllier proved to be a man of his word as he led Liverpool to a textbook smash and grab performance. Danny Murphy curled in a delicate free-kick two minutes before half-time and Liverpool then clung on for the Premier League points and went on to record their own treble as they enjoyed success in the League, FA and Uefa Cups.

Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1 – November 2001

United had strolled to Premier league glory the previous season and finished 11 points clear of Liverpool in third place, however the Merseyside outfit had shocked the defending champions in this season’s curtain raising Community Shield. United, therefore, travelled to Anfield intent on setting the record straight and reminding their hosts who held the mantle of defending champions. Liverpool, though, were not prepared to roll over as Michael Owen handed them a 32nd minute lead before John Arne Riise fired in a memorable free-kick seven minutes later. Beckham brought United back into the game on 50 minutes, but Owen added his second one minute later to seal a comprehensive Liverpool victory.