Manchester United and Liverpool; rise and fall: two shades of red

It’s a question of character; whether you support Liverpool or Manchester United. It’s the greatest rivalry in world football. Come Sunday, they will battle to claim the bragging rights, for no fixture in English football is bigger than this.

The week before kick-off resembles the silence before the storm. As we build up and brace ourselves to witness another pulsating contest, let us dig up the past and analyse what usually happens and what has made Liverpool versus United what it is today.Liverpool: Rise Crescendo

When Manchester United’s Sir Matt Busby was busy lifting the European Cup in 1968, a certain Bill Shankly was busy building a team that would later take over the world football. That’s where it all started for Liverpool, as they would not only conquer domestic territory, but also be regarded as one of the best sides in Europe. League title after league title and European Cup triumph after triumph; the amazing pass and move style of play, became the fare at one of the homes of English football.

Their golden period coincided with the downfall of Manchester United. When Liverpool were winning titles, Manchester United got relegated to second tier of English football. Clearly, at that period, there was only one shade of red that was talked about. The Liverpool Red.

Things started to change at Manchester United. They had big ambitions. In 1977, Manchester United denied Liverpool a treble by winning the FA Cup. The intentions were clear, United wanted to be what Liverpool were.

Appointment of Ferguson And Liverpool’s Downfall:

In 1984, Manchester United appointed Scottish manager Alex Ferguson to take them forward. Boy has that appointment paid off!

Inspired and raring to go, Ferguson had a spark about himself. He started attacking Liverpool from all dimensions. Progress was shown, season after season, as the the same time Liverpool were becoming increasingly predictable and started underachieving. It was only a matter of time before United would win the league title. It finally happened in 1993, and of course 11 times over since.

Today, United are the most talked about club in world football along with Barcelona, while Liverpool have not won the Premier League in 23 years, with United winning it year in year out.

The resemblance between Sir Alex’s situation when he took over at United, and Rodger’s situation when he took over at Liverpool is so similar, it’s uncanny.

When you see Rodgers talk about Liverpool and his plans, you see the same spark and hunger. It’s like Alex in 1984 all over again.

The rivalry influences the lives of the people to a great extent. People hate going to their workplaces when one of them wins. The banter is humongous.

And it wont be any different, when these two sides meet again on Sunday at Old Trafford.

No matter what their league position is, Liverpool and United fans want their team to win. It’s all that matters. Being a Liverpool fan, nothing will please me more than a Luis Suarez goal or a Patrice Evra own goal to hand Liverpool an away victory.

No matter what the outcome, this match always produces intensity of the highest quality. Get ready for your emotions to ride high and to bleed red.