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Liverpool v Man Utd - Classic matches
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  2. Premier League

Liverpool v Manchester United: Classic matches

With Liverpool and Manchester United set to renew hostilities when they meet in the Premier League this Sunday, we've looked back at some classic matches between the two sides.

4 January 1994 – Liverpool 3-3 Man Utd

Only the third meeting between the two sides in the Premier League era and Manchester United’s first trip to Anfield as champions of England for 27 years, the Red Devils looked to bring in the new year in style, racing into an early 3-0 lead.

United led through Steve Bruce with Ryan Giggs doubling the advantage, before a Denis Irwin free-kick gave the visitors what looked like an unassailable lead after just 23 minutes.

But Nigel Clough gave Liverpool a way back into the game after 25 minutes, bagging a brace before half-time.

Cheered on by a raucous Kop, Liverpool eventually scored an equaliser in the 79th minute to nab a share of the spoils.

11 May 1996 – Man Utd 1-0 Liverpool

Perhaps not a classic match in the truest sense of the phrase, the 1996 FA Cup final was a nervy affair, with both sides’ best players shackled by their opposite numbers.

But having returned from a seven-month suspension earlier in the season to score an equaliser from the penalty spot against Liverpool, it was only ever going to be one man who decided the tie.

Eric Cantona had scored a series of winning goals in the second half of the season to lead United to the title and would do the same at Wembley. With David James punching a late corner half-clear, Cantona stepped backwards, volleying towards goal and finding the net.

24 January 1999 – Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool

When a teenage Michael Owen found half a yard of space in the United penalty area to head home an early goal, it threatened to end the Red Devils’ Treble bid before it had even begun. The hosts trailed for 85 minutes of the contest before Dwight Yorke scored a late equaliser to force a replay.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, however, had other ideas. Chucked on late to try and find an equaliser, the super-sub would find a late winner.

Manchester United conceding an early goal before scoring twice late on to secure a dramatic winner? In 1999, lightning did indeed strike twice.

2 March 2003 – Liverpool 2-0 Man Utd

After Manchester United failed to win three games on the bounce – including a hugely disappointing draw at home to Manchester City and being dumped out of the FA Cup by Arsenal – the 2003 League Cup final perhaps came at the perfect time for Liverpool.

Held at the Millennium Stadium, Jerzy Dudek made amends for his horror show at Anfield earlier in the season, when a Diego Forlan brace was enough to take all three points, pulling off a string of superb saves to keep United at bay, as Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen secured a famous win.

14 March 2009 – Man Utd 1-4 Liverpool

With Manchester United and Liverpool embroiled in a first genuine title race in living memory, the Reds went to Old Trafford seven points behind their rivals – who had a game in hand – with anything less than a win likely ruling them out of contention.

United at this point had won 11 consecutive games, conceding just two goals in that run, keeping a record-breaking nine straight clean sheets, and when Cristiano Ronaldo put the hosts in front from the spot, it looked like it was about to be 12 consecutive games.

But a mistake by Nemanja Vidic allowed Fernando Torres to equalise, with Steven Gerrard scoring a penalty of his own before the break. Vidic’s nightmare afternoon continued with a sloppy red card as Fabio Aurelio scored a free-kick, before Andrea Dossena lobbed Edwin van der Sar to complete the rout.

19 September 2010 – Man Utd 3-2 Liverpool

By the autumn of 2010, Manchester United were still adapting to life without Cristiano Ronaldo, having been dethroned as champions the previous season. Liverpool, meanwhile, were struggling hugely under new boss Roy Hodgson, with things looking particularly grim after Dimitar Berbatov’s brace which included a stunning overhead kick.

A clumsy challenge from Jonny Evans gave Liverpool a way back into the contest as Steven Gerrard scored from 12 yards, with the Liverpool skipper levelling minutes later, only to see Berbatov complete his hat-trick late on securing the win.

16 March 2014 – Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool

The 2013/14 season was the first for many Manchester United fans without Sir Alex Ferguson in the dugout.

With West Brom, Everton, Newcastle, Tottenham and Swansea all rocking up to Old Trafford and winning, with Chelsea, Southampton and Fulham leaving with draws.

As such, David Moyes made the eyebrow-raising claim that in-form Liverpool were favourites to win. Although the bookmakers disagreed, the visitors did indeed take all three points after two Steven Gerrard penalties – with the skipper missing his third – and Luis Suarez adding the cherry on top.

24 October 2021 – Man Utd 0-5 Liverpool

By 2021, Manchester United’s malaise was approaching a decade in length, with Liverpool now enjoying something of a golden era of their own. And although Manchester City denied Liverpool more trophies than they ought to have won, the Reds often showcased their dominance over United in their battles.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure nearing an end, United were 2-0 down inside a quarter of an hour. By the time the hour mark came, United were 5-0 down following a Mohamed Salah hat-trick and had lost Paul Pogba to a red card, capping a dismal day in Manchester.

5 March 2023 – Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd

The 2022/23 season saw Liverpool struggle to adapt as they transitioned into their new era, with Sadio Mane departing after Georginio Wijnaldum left the previous season, with the likes of Roberto Firmino and James Milner also nearing the end of their time at Anfield. Virgil van Dijk’s knee injury the previous campaign appeared to have taken its toll, and Liverpool would miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification.

Meanwhile, United were making strides under new manager Erik ten Hag, with the side on track to finish in the top four.

Confident of going to Anfield and getting something, United went 1-0 down just before the break through Cody Gakpo. After a fairly even opening stanza, Liverpool quickly added a second and third after the break through Gakpo and Darwin Nunez.

The 16 minutes David de Gea went between picking the ball out of the net for Liverpool’s third and fourth goals were the longest spell the keeper went without conceding in the second half, as United eventually fell to a humiliating 7-0 defeat.

17 March 2024 – Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool

Not just one of the best games between these two sides, but one of the best games in the FA Cup’s history.

Liverpool, challenging for a domestic treble, went to Old Trafford where the hosts were desperately searching for salvation in the cup as they approached the end of a woeful campaign.

United took an early lead through Scott McTominay before Liverpool showed their class with two quick-fire goals before the break. Despite pushing for an equaliser, Liverpool looked like holding on until Antony spun and poked a right-footed effort home in the 87th minute to force extra-time.

A deflected Harvey Elliott effort restored Liverpool’s lead before Rashford equalised again for United, with the hosts breaking up the pitch in the last minute of the game, scoring through Amad Diallo to seal a place at Wembley.

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