One of world football’s greatest rivalries continues on Sunday as Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield.
The rivalry stretches back over 120 years to 1895 when Liverpool were victorious 7-1. Since then, these sides have met 165 times in the league. Manchester United have the most wins with 66 compared to Liverpool’s 55. The Red Devils were also victorious when these sides met this season. Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial all scored in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.
These two are the most successful clubs in English football with 38 league titles between them. Given their history, one would think that when they meet this Sunday, they would be fighting for the title. Instead, they are both in desperate need of three points to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Louis van Gaal’s men have not been playing entertaining football but a win away at Anfield could be enough to move them into fourth depending on other results. Jurgen Klopp’s men are a bit behind the pace and can only go as high as seventh with a win.
A lot has changed at Liverpool since the days of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and co. They are currently in a rebuilding stage since the sacking of Brendan Rodgers in October and have been somewhat inconsistent since his arrival.
The Reds have won four of their past nine matches, a rate which needs improving if they are to compete for the title. Heavy losses against Watford, Newcastle and more recently West Ham have also brought down the confidence that had been built with big wins away to Chelsea and Manchester City.
It was only a couple of seasons ago when facing Manchester United was still one of the toughest asks in football. The Red Devils themselves have found wins hard to come by, winning just one in their past eight. In that timem they have found the net just eight times.
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Despite the club’s mixed results this season, this match is sure to be an entertaining affair with both sides coming off 3-3 draws midweek. United dropped a 2-0 lead against Newcastle thanks to a lovely Paul Dummett strike, while Joe Allen was the unlikely hero for Liverpool, scoring late to equalise after Roberto Firmino had scored a first half double.
Given the contrasting style of the two it will be interesting to see how this match plays out. United looked unlikely to score three goals in a match until their trip to St James’ Park. Liverpool like to press high on their opposition which, in the past, has worked to great effect.
With workhorses such as Jordan Henderson feeding the likes of Coutinho, Firmino and Adam Lallana, the 2006 FA Cup winners could find success going forward this week.
Manchester United have their own attacking prowess. The quick and skillful Martial is always looking to create trouble while Wayne Rooney has looked like returning to the form that made him one of the best forwards England has ever produced, a dangerous proposition for Liverpool. Of course, the hosts cannot forget about Juan Mata, who scored the winner in the corresponding match last season.
Liverpool need the victory if they are to make any challenge for the top four. They are only five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham but there are four other teams between them so they can solely rely on results to go their way. They are at home, they were defeated by United this season, and they definitely have the talent to cause some trouble.
Manchester United also need the victory. They are only two points out of the top four but with matches against Southampton and Stoke City to come, so a win against Liverpool at Anfield will boost the confidence of the players moving forward. It will make van Gaal’s job a lot safer, too.
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