'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool vs Manchester United is a rivalry that extends beyond football and if one single rivalry could sum up English football, it is this one.
Today, it is one of the most watched across any sport with an estimated 700 million viewers. When Liverpool take on Manchester United, it is more than just a game.
The teams are spearheaded by two top managers who have faced each other several times as managers of different clubs. Last season, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho faced each other for the first time as managers of Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.
Trending
Both fixtures ended in a stalemate with just two goals scored overall. However, things could be different this time around and both teams will do all they can to secure all three points.
An intense rivalry between Klopp and Mourinho could stem from this fixture and it could be one that could define the derby in the years to come just like these five individual battles that defined the Liverpool vs Manchester United rivalry in the Premier League era.
Jamie Carragher vs Gary Neville
Jamie Carragher’s and Gary Neville’s on-field rivalry has now become a kind of bromance after they retired from professional football.
Carragher and Neville were two local lads from Merseyside and Manchester respectively who embodied everything the rivalry stood for and it goes without saying that they absolutely hate each other’s club.
In January 2006, Neville celebrated Rio Ferdinand’s injury-time winner at the end of the second half by running to the visiting Liverpool fans at Old Trafford.This didn’t go down with Carragher who criticized his compatriot for his actions and Neville was also blamed by the media and police for post-match disturbances between the fans.
Today, such passion and enthusiasm from local lads of the respective cities are lacking in matches.
Carragher and Neville now host Monday Night Football for Sky Sports together and they have proved to be a great punditry pair. However, the banter between the pair still goes on.
Fernando Torres vs Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja Vidic is remembered as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history and a pivotal part of the success under Sir Alex Ferguson in the 2000s. The Serb went on to captain the side as well.
However, if there was one player Vidic struggled against throughout his Premier League career, it was Fernando Torres.
The Serb has been sent off four times against Liverpool. The first in September 2008, followed by March 2009, October 2009 and finally March 2014. Although all of those cards were not due to Torres, the most embarrassing one for him was due to the Spaniard in March 2009 at Old Trafford.
Torres turned Vidic inside out during that particular game at Old Trafford before playing a hand in sending off the Manchester United captain. To make matters worse, Liverpool went on to win 4-1 at the home of their fiercest rivals.
Luis Suarez vs Patrice Evra
In October 2011, Patrice Evra of Manchester United accused Liverpool’s talisman, Luis Suarez, of racially abusing him during a league encounter between the two sides.
Suarez was upset by the claim and refused that he made any racist remarks. That’s a stand he still sticks to. Liverpool also released a statement that Suarez would appeal his innocence and the club would support him.
However, the Uruguayan was found guilty by a three-man panel appointed by the FA and he was given an eight-match ban as well as fine of £40,000.
During the next meeting between the two sides, which happened after Suarez finished his eight-game ban, he refused to shake Evra’s hands before the game stirring up more controversies. Evra grabbed Suarez’s hand in protest but the Uruguayan ignored the player and continued to walk. As a mark of protest, Evra’s teammate, Rio Ferdinand chose to ignore Suarez’s handshake.
Suarez and then Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, were forced to apologise for the player’s actions.
Manchester United went on to win that particular game 2-1 with Suarez scoring for the Reds. After the fulltime whistle, Evra celebrated by running in front of Suarez and cheering the crowd on.
Michael Owen vs Michael Owen
As absurd as this might sound, the Michael Owen debate is one that still divides Liverpool fans.
Who would have thought that a Liverpool academy graduate who went on to score 158 goals for the club in just 297 games while also winning the Ballon d’Or would go on to represent their arch-rivals Manchester United?
Owen was a fan favourite at Anfield akin to Steven Gerrard but his career didn’t go as planned after leaving the Merseyside club. He went from Real Madrid to Newcastle United in the space of one year while constantly struggling with injuries.
In 2009, he wanted to leave Newcastle after they were relegated and according to Owen, he did everything he could to try and return to Anfield but then manager Rafa Benitez was not interested in bringing the player back.
So instead, he went on to join Manchester United! He was always a squad player while at Man Utd, but he went on to win Liverpool’s elusive Premier League title in 2010/11.
This has further alienated Owen from the Liverpool fans while the Manchester United fans use often use Owen to irk the Liverpool faithful.
Steven Gerrard vs Paul Scholes
Steven Gerrard vs Paul Scholes is not an individual battle that took place on the pitch but it is one that has been a topic of debate between both sets of fans for ages.
Both Gerrard and Scholes are considered two of the greatest midfielders of their generation and key players of their club throughout their career. Hence, it comes as no surprise that there has always been a debate about which player is better.
While Gerrard has never won the Premier League title, Scholes has won eleven league titles and it also goes without saying that Scholes has a bigger trophy cabinet at home counting all trophies.
However, when it comes to individual comparison, Gerrard has the upper hand. The charismatic former Liverpool captain has been named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year a record eight times while Scholes has achieved that feat only twice.
Gerrard also scored 186 goals for Liverpool in 710 games while Scholes scored 155 in 718 games. Although these parameters can never truly explain which player is better, fans will forever argue over this.
