Frank Christian
The clash between Liverpool and Manchester United is a storied fixture in the Premier League, marked by intense battles and a rivalry that spans several decades for both clubs.
These two teams have cultivated one of the most iconic rivalries in English football, driven by historical divisions between their respective cities, fueling a deep-rooted animosity.
For neutral fans of the Premier League, this matchup is always highly anticipated each season. Liverpool has had the upper hand during the Jurgen Klopp era, with a memorable 7-0 victory over their rivals at Anfield in March 2023 etched in the memory of fans from both sides.
Manchester United’s dominance in the early years of the Premier League fueled historical tensions, culminating in their surpassing of Liverpool’s league title count in 2010/11, often referred to as “knocking them off their perch”.
The Sporting News delves into the head-to-head record, trophy achievements, and significant player appearances in this legendary clash.
The Legendary Rivalry: Liverpool vs Manchester United
With 242 competitive encounters, Manchester United holds the edge over Liverpool, securing 91 wins against Liverpool’s 81, along with 70 draws, dating back to 1894 when the Manchester club was named Newton Heath.
The rivalry truly ignited in the mid-1960s when Bill Shankly and Sir Matt Busby’s teams vied for league titles in four consecutive seasons.
Despite occasional setbacks, Liverpool’s dominance prevailed in the 70s and 80s, clinching 11 league titles in two decades while United’s influence waned.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s arrival at Old Trafford marked a turning point, shifting the balance in United’s favor at the onset of the Premier League era from 1992, overshadowing Liverpool’s illustrious era spearheaded by Shankly, Bob Paisley, and Kenny Dalglish.
United’s reign in the early years of the rebranded top flight saw them clinch six out of the first eight titles, while Liverpool contended with a period of struggle, with Arsenal and Chelsea emerging as prime challengers to Ferguson’s supremacy.
While the rivalry remained intense, United’s victory in the 1996 FA Cup final stands out. Liverpool’s “Spice Boys” were defeated by Eric Cantona’s late goal as United secured their second league and cup double in three seasons.
The early 2000s witnessed Liverpool’s resurgence, with memorable victories attributed to players like Danny Murphy during the Gerard Houllier era. Despite initial challenges against Ferguson, Rafa Benitez ultimately notched significant wins against United, although United continued to amass trophies consistently.
Jurgen Klopp took the reins impressively in 2015, boasting the best Premier League record against United compared to his predecessors, including a notable 2-0 triumph at Anfield en route to claiming Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years. The exceptional 7-0 victory over United at Anfield in March 2023 further solidified Klopp’s legacy.
In a thrilling FA Cup encounter in 2023/24, United clinched a 4-3 victory at Old Trafford in extra time, following it up with a 2-2 draw in a league fixture that dashed Liverpool’s title hopes. However, the Reds avenged this defeat in their first visit to their rivals’ home under new manager Arne Slot.
Trophy Rivals: Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool’s resounding triumph in 2020/21, amassing 99 points, narrowed the gap in overall league titles to 20-19 in favor of United, with Sir Alex Ferguson fulfilling his pledge to dethrone Liverpool from the top spot.
Both clubs stand as the most successful teams in English football history, with Arsenal trailing behind in league titles with 13. Arsenal boasts more FA Cup trophies, with 14 compared to United’s 12 and Liverpool’s eight.
When it comes to European victories, Liverpool leads with six European Cup and Champions League triumphs, while United has secured three titles, placing them as the top two successful English clubs.
United also clinched the Europa League in 2016/17, a competition previously won by Liverpool three times under the UEFA Cup in 1972/73, 1975/76, and 2000/01.
Additionally, United added the now-defunct European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1990/91 to their accolades, with both clubs claiming one FIFA Club World Cup each.
In the League Cup (Carabao Cup), Liverpool shines with 10 victories, while United has claimed the trophy six times.
Historic Wins and Defeats: Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool’s remarkable 7-0 triumph over United in March 2023 stands as their biggest victory to date. Their previous notable win was a 7-1 victory over Newton Heath in October 1895.
United endured a challenging period, suffering a 5-0 defeat at Old Trafford and a 4-0 loss at Anfield in 2021/22.
United’s largest margin of victory against Liverpool dates back to a 6-1 Division One win on May 5, 1928, a monumental achievement in their history.
Premier League Battles: Liverpool vs Manchester United
| Liverpool Wins | Draws | Man United Wins |
| 19 | 15 | 29 |
Top Appearances in Liverpool vs Manchester United
| Player | Club | Appearances |
| Ryan Giggs | Man United | 48 |
| Paul Scholes | Man United | 33 |
| David de Gea | Man United | 28 |
| Gary Neville | Man United | 26 |
| Arthur Albiston | Man United | 26 |
Top Scorers in Liverpool vs Manchester United
| Player | Club | Goals |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 14 |
| George Wall | Man United | 9 |
| Steven Gerrard | Liverpool | 9 |
| Stan Pearson | Man United | 8 |
| George Best/ Jimmy Turnbull/ Harry Chambers/Dick Forshaw | Man United./Liverpool | 7 |
