Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry

Liverpool F.C. v Manchester United F.C.
Locale North West England
Teams Liverpool F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
First meeting 28 April 1894
Liverpool 2–0 Newton Heath (1893–94 Football League test match play-off)
Latest meeting 17 March 2016
Manchester United 1–1 Liverpool
(2015–16 UEFA Europa League)
Stadiums Anfield (Liverpool)
Old Trafford (Manchester United)
Statistics
Meetings total 196[1]
Most player appearances Ryan Giggs (48)[2]
Top scorer Steven Gerrard (9)
George Wall (9)
Sandy Turnbull (9)[3][4]
All-time series Liverpool: 65
Drawn: 52
Manchester United: 79[1]
Largest victory Liverpool 7–1 Newton Heath
12 October 1895
(1895–96 Second Division)

The Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry also known as North-West Derby is a high profile inter-city rivalry between English professional football clubs Liverpool and Manchester United. It is considered to be one of the biggest rivalries in the football world along with the Superclásico in South America, El Clásico in Spain, and Derby della Madonnina in Italy, and is considered the most famous fixture in English football.[5][6][7][8][9] Players, fans and the media alike often consider games between the two clubs to be their biggest rivalry, above even their own local derby competitions with Everton and Manchester City.[10][11][12][13]

The rivalry has been fuelled by the proximity of the two major cities that they represent, their historic economic and industrial rivalry, significant periods of domestic footballing dominance and European success, and their popularity at home and abroad, as two of the biggest-earning and widely supported football clubs in the world.[14][15][16][17]

The two clubs are the most successful English teams in both domestic and European competitions; and between them they have won 38 league titles, 8 European Cups, 3 UEFA Cups, 4 UEFA Super Cups, 18 FA Cups, 12 League Cups, and 35 FA Community Shields.[18][19][20][21]

Inter-city rivals

The cities of Liverpool and Manchester are located in the north west of England, 35 miles (56 km) apart. Since the industrial revolution there has been a consistent theme of rivalry between the two cities based around economic and industrial competition. Manchester through to the 18th century was the far more populous city, and held a position of significance and notability as representative of the north. By the late 18th century, Liverpool had grown as a major sea port – critical to the growth and success of the northern cotton mills. Over the next century, Liverpool grew to supersede Manchester and throughout the late 19th and early 20th century was often described as the British Empire's second city.[16] The links between the two cities were strengthened with the construction of the Bridgewater Canal, the Mersey and Irwell Navigation and the Liverpool and Manchester Railway for the transport of raw materials inland.

The Manchester coat of arms formed the foundation of the original Manchester United badge

The construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, funded by Manchester merchants, was opposed by Liverpool politicians and bred resentment between the two cities. Tension between working class Liverpool dockers and labourers in Manchester was heightened after its completion in 1894, just three months prior to the first meeting between Liverpool and Newton Heath in a play-off match that would see Newton Heath relegated to the Second Division.[22]

Today, the crests of both the city of Manchester and Manchester United include stylised ships representing the Manchester Ship Canal and Manchester's trade roots. The ship is also included on the crest of many other Mancunian institutions such as Manchester City Council and rivals Manchester City F.C.

Post-war shifts in economic ties, reliance on regional coal, and shifts in transatlantic trade patterns caused by the growth of Asian labour markets caused the gradual decline of British manufacturing. While the city of Liverpool suffered the loss of its primary source of income to southern port cities, Manchester maintained some of its manufacturing heritage. This reversal of fortunes happened against the backdrop of shifting political backgrounds and significant events in British culture and society in the second half of the 20th century.

The two cities continue to be strong regional rivals, vying for influence of surrounding areas. Their continued importance to the UK economy has been reflected with the awarding of the 2002 Commonwealth Games to Manchester, while Liverpool was awarded the title of 2008 European Capital of Culture as part of its ongoing regeneration.

More recent projects by Peel Ports have sought to re-establish the economic links between the Port of Liverpool and Port of Manchester, including re-developing trade links via the Manchester Ship Canal.

Football rivals

Formation to 1945

A black-and-white photo of a football team. The players are on three levels, with four on the bottom row, four on the middle row and three on the top row. The player sitting second from the left on the bottom row has a ball at his feet, and the player in the middle of the top row is wearing a flat cap.
The Manchester United team at the start of the 1905–06 season.

Manchester United F.C. was formed in Newton Heath in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR F.C., and played their first competitive match in October 1886, when they entered the First Round of the 1886–87 FA Cup.[23]

Liverpool's team during its first season, 1892–93

Liverpool F.C. was formed in 1892 following a disagreement between the board of Everton and club president John Houlding, who owned the club's ground, Anfield. The disagreement between the two parties over rent resulted in Everton moving to Goodison Park from Anfield, and Houlding founded Liverpool F.C. to play in the vacated stadium.[24]

Liverpool's first season was in the Second Division in 1893. The team went undefeated all season, winning the title and being put up for election to the First Division, which would see them play a one-off "test match" at Ewood Park in Blackburn for their place. The team that Liverpool were to face was Newton Heath, whom they beat 2–0 to take their place in the First Division.[25]

Liverpool won their first Football League Championship trophy in 1901 and followed it up in 1906, the same season that saw the newly renamed Manchester United promoted to the top flight after finishing as Second Division runners-up behind Bristol City. Two seasons later, by which time Liverpool had fallen into mid-table, Manchester United secured their first league title, winning the 1907–08 Football League by nine points from Aston Villa and Manchester City. They followed this up by winning the first ever FA Charity Shield match when they defeated Queens Park Rangers over two legs in 1908.[26] The following season, they won the 1909 FA Cup Final, and followed this up with another league title and Charity Shield in 1911.

The outbreak of the First World War disrupted domestic football, and following the resumption of competitions in 1919 Liverpool asserted themselves on domestic football with a brace of league Championships while United found themselves in steep decline that saw them relegated in 1923. Between 1923 and the outbreak of the Second World War, neither team won any more competitive trophies outside of local regional trophies, with Manchester United spending three separate periods in the Second Division.

1945 to 1992

refer to caption
A comparative chart showing yearly table positions of Manchester United F.C. and Liverpool F.C. in the English football league system from 1892–93 to the present

After the Second World War, the clubs' roles reversed once more, with Liverpool dropping into the second tier as Manchester United found stability under the management of former Liverpool captain Matt Busby, winning the FA Cup in 1948 and then three league titles and Charity Shields apiece in the 1950s. During this time, future Liverpool manager Bill Shankly was approached by then Liverpool chairman Tom Williams and asked, "How would you like to manage the best club in the country?". "Why?" Shankly replied. "Is Matt Busby packing it in?".[27]

Following Liverpool's promotion under Shankly in 1962, the two clubs found themselves in direct competition with each other for the first time, sharing four league titles between 1964 and 1967, as well as the 1965 FA Charity Shield. Following this, though, the two sides began to drift in opposite directions once more. United's title victory of 1967 would be their last for 26 years,[28] while Liverpool would enjoy nearly 20 years of sustained success, winning 11 league titles, 19 domestic cups and seven European trophies from 1972 to 1992.[29] United's main reprieves during this time came through cup competitions, such as their triumphs over the Merseysiders in the 1977 FA Cup Final and the 1979 FA Cup semi-final replay at Goodison Park. It was during this period, in the late 70s and early 80s, that the modern day rivalry between the two clubs truly began to get heated. According to football sociologist John Williams, United had developed a "glamour and media profile" but didn't have the success to match it and Liverpool fans felt the Red Devils were "media darlings who got far too much publicity". There was a perception in Liverpool that their hugely successful but 'professional' and 'workmanlike' teams were always somehow in the shadow of the stars at Old Trafford. This led to a derisory United nickname in Liverpool; "The Glams".[30]

1992–present

Manchester United's 26-year spell without a league title has been mirrored by Liverpool since 1990, when the Reds clinched their last league title. Meanwhile, United's dominance since 1990 has seen them win 13 league titles, 21 domestic cups and six European trophies.[29] Once again, cup glories such as the 2003 League Cup and 2006 FA Cup allowed Liverpool some retribution against their rivals. Despite their contrasting fortunes, though, only four times since 1972 have neither Liverpool nor United finished in the top two of the league table – in 1980–81, 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2014–15 – and even during three of those four campaigns, another piece of silverware was still taken home by one of the two clubs; Liverpool paraded the European Cup and League Cup in 1981, while Manchester United lifted the FA Community Shield and FA Cup in the 2004 season and Liverpool claimed the Champions League in 2005.[31]

Each club can now claim historical supremacy: United for their 20 league titles to Liverpool's 18 and Liverpool for being European champions five times to United's three. Manchester United hold more honours than Liverpool,[32][33] yet Liverpool lead United in so-called "major" trophies won.[34][35] Both clubs use these differing counts to refer to each other as the most successful English football club.[36][37]

Managers

Notable managers

"If you are first you are first. If you are second you are nothing."
 Bill Shankly

While Liverpool and Manchester United's successes are almost identical in number, their systems of achieving these successes vary considerably. Liverpool built their dominance on a dynasty known as the Anfield Boot Room. The boot room itself was where strategy for future matches was planned, however, it became a breeding ground for future Liverpool managers following the arrival of Bill Shankly in 1959. The original members were Shankly himself, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Reuben Bennett, although the likes of Kenny Dalglish joined later on.[38]

Following Shankly's retirement in 1974, having secured eight trophies in 15 years, Bob Paisley stepped into the vacant manager's position and amassed 20 trophies in 9 seasons.[39] Following his retirement, Joe Fagan took over and in the first of two seasons at the club, won a treble of trophies. Kenny Dalglish, while not an original member, was accepted into the group as the next in line for the role of manager, and he combined it with his playing duties to win Liverpool 10 trophies. The boot room connection was finally broken in 1991, 32 years after Shankly's arrival, with the appointment of Graeme Souness, who actually demolished the boot room itself to make way for a press room.[40] It did still manage to produce a final Liverpool manager in Roy Evans, who won the League Cup, but upon his resignation in 1998, the era was over.

In contrast, Manchester United have succeeded thanks to the services of three extraordinary men, all decades apart, without the need for continuity and sustained success beyond each man's departure. Out of the 62 trophies that United have won, 56 have come thanks to the exploits of Ernest Mangnall, Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson. Mangnall was the first great manager of Manchester United, securing five trophies within a three-year time span of 1908-11.[41] Following his departure to local rivals Manchester City a year later,[42] it would not be until Busby's arrival 33 years later that the club would be on the trophy trail again.

Busby became United's second most decorated manager of all time (ironically as an ex-Liverpool player and captain), winning 13 trophies at the club[43] including the 1968 European Cup, which saw an English team secure European football's top prize for the first time.[44] After Busby's retirement in 1969 though, Manchester United saw their fortunes slip and the club struggled to stay successful until Alex Ferguson's arrival 17 years later, during which time United only won three FA Cups and two Charity Shields.

"My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their fucking perch, and you can print that."
 Alex Ferguson in response to an Alan Hansen comment in 2002[45]

It was only under the Scot that United regained their glory days, winning 38 trophies during his 26-year tenure to scale the pinnacles of both English and European football.[46] However, since Ferguson's retirement in 2013, the club has gone on the wane again, finishing 7th in the first season post-retirement and not winning a trophy the year after.

Players

Players' rivalry

"A mate owned a [Manchester United captain] Bryan Robson top. We were kicking about, and I asked if I could be Robbo for a while. My dad looked out and went ballistic. He wasn’t having his kid dragging the Gerrard name through the gutter. I thought we’d have to move!"
 Steven Gerrard

The rivalry has extended to the players as well: United striker Wayne Rooney, a product of Liverpool's city rivals Everton, described how he grew up hating the Reds,[47] while Liverpool's Steven Gerrard took a film crew on tour of his home where he showed off a collection of football shirts he had swapped with opposing players as part of the after match routine; he pointed out that there were no Manchester United shirts in there and he would never have one of them in his house. Manchester United's Gary Neville has been publicly vocal in the past with regards to his dislike of Liverpool; following a fixture in which John O'Shea scored a stoppage-time winner in front of the Kop in 2007, Neville described O'Shea's achievement as "a lifelong dream" for himself. Neville was berated by Liverpool fans for his role in celebrating in front of them in 2006, kissing the crest on his jersey and appearing to shout angrily towards the fans.

"I can't stand Liverpool, I can't stand the people, I can't stand anything to do with them."
 Gary Neville

In the 2011–12 season, the rivalry was exacerbated by claims that, in the first League meeting of the season at Anfield, Liverpool striker Luis Suárez racially abused United's Patrice Evra. After considering the evidence, an FA panel found that Suárez had referred to Evra using the term "negrito" seven times (Suárez himself admitted to having done so once, but denied racism); he was banned for eight games. This included the FA Cup fourth round tie between the two clubs (again at Anfield), which Liverpool won. On 11 February 2012, however, United and Liverpool met again at Old Trafford, and Suárez for Liverpool for the first time since his ban. Prior to kick-off, the two teams were expected to shake hands, but Suárez ignored Evra's offered hand and moved onto the next United player in line, David de Gea.[48] As a result, Rio Ferdinand and Danny Welbeck rejected Suárez's handshake. United went on to win 2–1 and Evra celebrated in front of the home supporters, with Suárez close by. Sir Alex Ferguson declared Suárez to be a "disgrace" and suggested that he should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again.[49] Kenny Dalglish vehemently denied having seen the missed handshake.[50] The following day, Suárez, Dalglish and Liverpool all issued statements of apology for the handshake incident,[51] which United accepted. The FA decided against any further action against either club or the players involved.[52]

Player transfers

Since the 1964 transfer of Phil Chisnall from United to Liverpool, no player has been transferred directly between the two clubs.[53] Some players, however, have played for both clubs, but having played elsewhere between each tenure, such as Paul Ince (playing for Internazionale in between) and Peter Beardsley (Vancouver Whitecaps and Newcastle United) and more recently Michael Owen (Real Madrid and Newcastle United), although Beardsley only played once for United, but went on to be a key player during his four years at Liverpool.[54]

In 2007, there was a bid from Liverpool to sign Gabriel Heinze from United, but United refused to allow him to join their biggest rivals due to the ongoing feud. United claimed that it was agreed Heinze would only join a foreign club if he chose to leave.[55] Heinze went public with his request to join Liverpool which was seen as the ultimate betrayal by the Manchester United fans. The Manchester United fans who once chanted "Argentina" in honour of the player then turned their backs on him. Heinze was eventually sold to Real Madrid instead.

Date[56] Name From To Fee[57]
August 1912 Tom Chorlton Liverpool Manchester United
November 1913 Jackie Sheldon Manchester United Liverpool
September 1920 Tom Miller Liverpool Manchester United £2,000
May 1921 Fred Hopkin Manchester United Liverpool
February 1929 Tommy Reid Liverpool Manchester United
January 1938 Ted Savage Liverpool Manchester United
November 1938 Allenby Chilton Liverpool Manchester United
February 1954 Thomas McNulty Manchester United Liverpool £7,000
April 1964 Phil Chisnall Manchester United Liverpool £25,000

Supporters

A single tiered stand that contains thousands of people. Several flags are being waved. In front of the stand is a grass pitch with a goal.
Liverpool Kopites in The Kop stand at Anfield

Both Manchester United and Liverpool are among the most popular football clubs (and sporting organisations) globally. Both are in the top 25 in Europe with Manchester considered the largest following of all, and with one of the highest average home attendances in Europe and large travelling support.[58] The club states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the Manchester United Supporters Club (MUSC), in at least 24 countries.[59] Liverpool states that its worldwide fan base also includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the LFC Official Supporters Clubs in at least 50 countries. Notable groups include Spirit of Shankly and Reclaim The Kop.[60]

The 2005 leveraged takeover of Manchester United by the Glazer family created a schism amongst Manchester fans, directly causing the creation of F.C. United of Manchester, and the "Love United Hate Glazer" movement, and subsequently the Red Knights who attempted to buy the Glazers out the club.[61][62] Two years later, Liverpool went through its own controversial takeover when Chairman David Moores sold the club to American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks.[63] Disagreements between Gillett and Hicks, and the lack of popular support from fans, resulted in the pair looking to sell the club.[64] Martin Broughton was appointed chairman of the club on 16 April 2010 to oversee its sale.[65][66] Court action finally forced the sale of the club to Fenway Sports Group.[67][68]

Hooliganism

Main article: Football hooliganism

With the rise of football hooliganism across English football during the 1970s and 1980s, matches between the two clubs brought some minor and major incidents of hooliganism. Since then, the modern game has seen a decrease in violence between the rival supporters and incidents are fairly uncommon. This is more likely due to an increase in Police presence and CCTV with huge steps taken to keep the fans separated. To this day, both sets of fans still hold a resentment toward each other. As well as physical violence, sections of the clubs' fan bases often taunt each other with unsavoury chants about the Munich air disaster and the Hillsborough disaster respectively.

At the 1996 FA Cup Final, an unidentified Liverpool fan spat at Eric Cantona and threw a punch at Alex Ferguson as a victorious Manchester United team walked up the steps at Wembley Stadium to collect the trophy from the Royal Box.[69]

The 2006 FA Cup match at Anfield featured foreign objects thrown at United fans by Liverpool supporters, including human excrement.[70] Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final game against Chelsea at Old Trafford later that year also resulted in damage to the stadium, including graffiti about serial killer Harold Shipman.[71]

In March 2011, the Daily Mail reported that an FA Youth Cup game between the two clubs was marred because of "sick chants" about Hillsborough and Heysel coming from the Manchester United fans at Anfield. The article also claims that six Manchester United fans were ejected from the stadium due to bad behaviour.[72] Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge was at the game and told the Liverpool Echo that "the level of abuse was absolutely sickening".[73]

In March 2016, Liverpool fans were greeted with a banner on the M602 motorway in Salford that said 'murderers' and also had the Hillsborough Disaster date on it. UEFA took no disciplinary action against Manchester United. [74]

Significant games

1977 FA Cup Final

In 1977, the two clubs met in a cup final for the first time, when they reached the final of the FA Cup. The two clubs took to the field at Wembley on 21 May, with Liverpool having just won the league title, knowing that winning this game would put them on course for a unique treble as they had the European Cup final to look forward to four days later. However, United ended Liverpool's treble dreams with a 2–1 win, with goals from Stuart Pearson and Jimmy Greenhoff, five minutes apart with a Jimmy Case goal for Liverpool in between.[75]

1983 Football League Cup Final

Six years later, on 26 March 1983, the two sides met for the Football League Cup final. Goals from Alan Kennedy and Ronnie Whelan won the game 2–1 for Liverpool, after Norman Whiteside had given United the lead. Liverpool collected the trophy for the third year in succession. It was the last of Liverpool manager Bob Paisley's nine seasons in charge (during which Liverpool had dominated the English and European scene) before his retirement, and his players allowed him to climb the 39 steps to collect the trophy from the Royal Box.[76]

Anfield 1988

On 4 April 1988, Liverpool were 11 points ahead at the top of the league and almost certain of winning the First Division title with barely a month of the league season remaining. United, in their first full season under the management of Alex Ferguson, were their nearest rivals. The two sides took to the field for a league encounter at Anfield and with the second half just minutes old the home side had a 3–1 lead with goals from Peter Beardsley, Gary Gillespie and Steve McMahon, with United's only goal coming from Bryan Robson. Robson then pulled a goal back for United, and with 12 minutes remaining fellow midfielder Gordon Strachan equalised to force a 3–3 draw.[77]

Other notable games

Nearly six years after this clash, Anfield was the scene of another 3–3 draw in the league between the two sides, only this time it was the home side who climbed back from the jaws of defeat. On 4 January 1994, in the second season of the new FA Premier League, United took a 3-0 lead at Anfield in the opening 25 minutes with goals from Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs and Denis Irwin. Liverpool managed to claw back to draw 3-3 with two goals from Nigel Clough and another from Neil Ruddock. It was one of the last games in charge of Liverpool for manager Graeme Souness, who had resigned by the end of the month.[77]

On 1 October 1995, United's Eric Cantona made his comeback to the side after serving an eight-month suspension for attacking a spectator in a game against Crystal Palace. His comeback game was against Liverpool in the Premier League at Old Trafford. United took an early lead through Nicky Butt, only for Liverpool's Robbie Fowler to score twice and give the visitors a 2–1 lead. However, United were awarded a penalty in the 71st minute and Cantona converted it successfully, forcing a 2–2 draw.[77] At the end of the season, the two sides met again at Wembley for the FA Cup Final. The game stayed goalless until the 85th minute, when Liverpool conceded a corner, which David Beckham swung into the box to be cleared by David James, only for Eric Cantona to fire home United's winner.[78] In March 2003, the two clubs once again met in a cup final, this time in the League Cup, with Liverpool lifting the trophy after goals from Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen gave them a 2–0 win.[79]

Alan Wiley shows a red card to Nemanja Vidić of Manchester United on 14 March 2009

On 14 March 2009, the two sides met at Old Trafford in the Premier League. United were ahead at the top of the league and Liverpool were looking to make a late run to the title which had eluded them since 1990. United went ahead in the 23rd minute with a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, but Fernando Torres equalised five minutes later for Liverpool, and a Steven Gerrard penalty just before half-time put Liverpool in the lead. United had Nemanja Vidić sent off in the 76th minute, and their misery was swiftly compounded by late goals from Fábio Aurélio and finally Andrea Dossena, condemning them to a 4–1 defeat, their heaviest at Old Trafford in any competition for 17 years.[80] Despite the loss, Manchester United were crowned league champions for the third season in succession,[81] with Liverpool finishing second.[82]

The league fixture on 11 February 2012 was marked by controversy regarding Patrice Evra refusal to shake hands with Liverpool striker Luis Suárez, following an eight-match suspension for racially abusing Evra in the previous meeting between the sides.[83][84] Following the 2–1 victory for United after a brace from Wayne Rooney, Evra in turn controversially celebrated right in front of Suárez, and was swept aside by opposition players finding the gesture provocative. On 16 March 2014, Liverpool won at Old Trafford 3–0 after being given a remarkable three penalty kicks during the course of the match.[85] Steven Gerrard scored the first two, but his third hit the post - with the three-goal margin resembling the 2009 scoreline.

Honours, head to head, and statistics

Honours

Domestic honours (The FA)
Competition Liverpool Manchester United
TitlesYear TitlesYear
Premier League/First Division 18 1900–01, 1905–06, 1921–22, 1922–23, 1946–47, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90 20 1907–08, 1910–11, 1951–52, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1964–65, 1966–67, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
FA Cup 7 1964–65, 1973–74, 1985–86, 1988–89, 1991–92, 2000–01, 2005–06 11 1908–09, 1947–48, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2003–04
League Cup 8 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1994–95, 2000–01, 2002–03, 2011–12 4 1991–92, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
FA Community Shield (* = Shared) 151964*, 1965*, 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977*, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986*, 1988, 1989, 1990*, 2001, 2006 201908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965*, 1967*, 1977*, 1983, 1990*, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013
Super Cup 11986 0
Domestic total 49 55
Worldwide honours (FIFA)
FIFA Club World Cup 0 1 2008
Intercontinental Cup 0 1 1999
Worldwide total 0 2
European honours (UEFA)
European Cup/UEFA Champions League 5 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1983–84, 2004–05 3 1967–68, 1998–99, 2007–08
UEFA Cup 3 1972–73, 1975–76, 2000–01 0
European Cup Winners' Cup 0 1 1990–91
UEFA Super Cup 3 1977, 2001, 2005 1 1991
European total 11 5
Combined total[18][19]
Combined total 59 62
Table correct as of 8 November 2015.

Head-to-head

The below table demonstrates the competitive results between the two sides (not indicative of titles won).

Competition Manchester United wins Draws Liverpool wins
League 67 44 55
FA Cup 9 4 4
League Cup 2 0 3
Europa League 0 1 1
Other 2 3 2
Total 80 52 65
Table correct as of 18 March 2016[1]

All-time results

Liverpool in the league at home

See also: Anfield
Date Venue Score Competition
12 October 1895 Anfield 7–1 Second Division
22 April 1905 Anfield 4–0 Second Division
1 April 1907 Anfield 0–1 First Division
25 March 1908 Anfield 7–4 First Division
30 January 1909 Anfield 3–1 First Division
9 October 1909 Anfield 3–2 First Division
26 November 1910 Anfield 3–2 First Division
11 November 1911 Anfield 3–2 First Division
29 March 1913 Anfield 0–2 First Division
15 April 1914 Anfield 1–2 First Division
26 December 1914 Anfield 1–1 First Division
1 January 1920 Anfield 0–0 First Division
9 February 1921 Anfield 2–0 First Division
17 December 1921 Anfield 2–1 First Division
19 September 1925 Anfield 5–0 First Division
28 August 1926 Anfield 4–2 First Division
24 December 1927 Anfield 2–0 First Division
13 February 1929 Anfield 2–3 First Division
25 January 1930 Anfield 1–0 First Division
3 April 1931 Anfield 1–1 First Division
27 March 1937 Anfield 2–0 First Division
7 September 1938 Anfield 1–0 First Division
3 May 1947 Anfield 1–0 First Division
3 September 1947 Anfield 2–2 First Division
27 December 1948 Anfield 0–2 First Division
7 September 1949 Anfield 1–1 First Division
23 August 1950 Anfield 2–1 First Division
24 November 1951 Anfield 0–0 First Division
13 December 1952 Anfield 1–2 First Division
22 August 1953 Anfield 4–4 First Division
13 April 1963 Anfield 1–0 First Division
13 April 1964 Anfield 3–0 First Division
31 October 1964 Anfield 0–2 First Division
1 January 1966 Anfield 2–1 First Division
25 March 1967 Anfield 0–0 First Division
11 November 1967 Anfield 1–2 First Division
12 October 1968 Anfield 2–0 First Division
13 December 1969 Anfield 1–4 First Division
5 September 1970 Anfield 1–1 First Division
25 September 1971 Anfield 2–2 First Division
15 August 1972 Anfield 2–0 First Division
22 December 1973 Anfield 2–0 First Division
18 November 1975 Anfield 3–1 First Division
3 May 1977 Anfield 1–0 First Division
25 February 1978 Anfield 3–1 First Division
14 April 1979 Anfield 2–0 First Division
26 December 1979 Anfield 2–0 First Division
14 April 1981 Anfield 0–1 First Division
24 October 1981 Anfield 1–2 First Division
16 October 1982 Anfield 0–0 First Division
2 January 1984 Anfield 1–1 First Division
31 March 1985 Anfield 0–1 First Division
9 February 1986 Anfield 1–1 First Division
26 December 1986 Anfield 0–1 First Division
4 April 1988 Anfield 3–3 First Division
3 September 1988 Anfield 1–0 First Division
23 December 1989 Anfield 0–0 First Division
16 September 1990 Anfield 4–0 First Division
26 April 1992 Anfield 2–0 First Division
6 March 1993 Anfield 1–2 Premier League
4 January 1994 Anfield 3–3 Premier League
19 March 1995 Anfield 2–0 Premier League
17 December 1995 Anfield 2–0 Premier League
19 April 1997 Anfield 1–3 Premier League
6 December 1997 Anfield 1–3 Premier League
5 May 1999 Anfield 2–2 Premier League
11 September 1999 Anfield 2–3 Premier League
31 March 2001 Anfield 2–0 Premier League
4 November 2001 Anfield 3–1 Premier League
1 December 2002 Anfield 1–2 Premier League
9 November 2003 Anfield 1–2 Premier League
15 January 2005 Anfield 0–1 Premier League
18 September 2005 Anfield 0–0 Premier League
3 March 2007 Anfield 0–1 Premier League
16 December 2007 Anfield 0–1 Premier League
13 September 2008 Anfield 2–1 Premier League
25 October 2009 Anfield 2–0 Premier League
6 March 2011 Anfield 3–1 Premier League
15 October 2011 Anfield 1–1 Premier League
23 September 2012 Anfield 1–2 Premier League
1 September 2013 Anfield 1–0 Premier League
22 March 2015 Anfield 1–2 Premier League
17 January 2016 Anfield 0–1 Premier League

Manchester United in the league at home

See also: Old Trafford
Date Venue Score Competition
2 November 1895 Bank Street 5–2 Second Division
24 December 1904 Bank Street 3–1 Second Division
25 December 1906 Bank Street 0–0 First Division
7 September 1907 Bank Street 4–0 First Division
26 September 1908 Bank Street 3–2 First Division
19 February 1910 Old Trafford 3–4 First Division
1 April 1911 Old Trafford 2–0 First Division
23 March 1912 Old Trafford 1–1 First Division
23 November 1912 Old Trafford 3–1 First Division
1 November 1913 Old Trafford 3–0 First Division
2 April 1915 Old Trafford 2–0 First Division
26 December 1919 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
5 February 1921 Old Trafford 1–1 First Division
24 December 1921 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
10 March 1926 Old Trafford 3–3 First Division
15 January 1927 Old Trafford 0–1 First Division
5 May 1928 Old Trafford 6–1 First Division
15 September 1928 Old Trafford 2–2 First Division
21 September 1929 Old Trafford 1–2 First Division
6 April 1931 Old Trafford 4–1 First Division
21 November 1936 Old Trafford 2–5 First Division
6 May 1939 Old Trafford 2–0 First Division
11 September 1946 Maine Road 5–0 First Division
27 August 1947 Maine Road 2–0 First Division
25 December 1948 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
15 March 1950 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
30 August 1950 Old Trafford 1–0 First Division
12 April 1952 Old Trafford 4–0 First Division
20 April 1953 Old Trafford 3–1 First Division
19 December 1953 Old Trafford 5–1 First Division
10 November 1962 Old Trafford 3–3 First Division
23 November 1963 Old Trafford 0–1 First Division
24 April 1965 Old Trafford 3–0 First Division
9 October 1965 Old Trafford 2–0 First Division
10 December 1966 Old Trafford 2–2 First Division
6 April 1968 Old Trafford 1–2 First Division
14 December 1968 Old Trafford 1–0 First Division
13 September 1969 Old Trafford 1–0 First Division
19 April 1971 Old Trafford 0–2 First Division
3 April 1972 Old Trafford 0–3 First Division
11 November 1972 Old Trafford 2–0 First Division
29 September 1973 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
18 February 1976 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
16 February 1977 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
1 October 1977 Old Trafford 2–0 First Division
26 December 1978 Old Trafford 0–3 First Division
5 April 1980 Old Trafford 2–1 First Division
26 December 1980 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
7 April 1982 Old Trafford 0–1 First Division
26 February 1983 Old Trafford 1–1 First Division
24 September 1983 Old Trafford 1–0 First Division
22 September 1984 Old Trafford 1–1 First Division
19 October 1985 Old Trafford 1–1 First Division
20 April 1987 Old Trafford 1–0 First Division
15 November 1987 Old Trafford 1–1 First Division
1 January 1989 Old Trafford 3–1 First Division
18 March 1990 Old Trafford 1–2 First Division
3 February 1991 Old Trafford 1–1 First Division
6 October 1991 Old Trafford 0–0 First Division
18 October 1992 Old Trafford 2–2 Premier League
30 March 1994 Old Trafford 1–0 Premier League
17 September 1994 Old Trafford 2–0 Premier League
1 October 1995 Old Trafford 2–2 Premier League
12 October 1996 Old Trafford 1–0 Premier League
10 April 1998 Old Trafford 1–1 Premier League
24 September 1998 Old Trafford 2–0 Premier League
4 March 2000 Old Trafford 1–1 Premier League
17 December 2000 Old Trafford 0–1 Premier League
22 January 2002 Old Trafford 0–1 Premier League
5 April 2003 Old Trafford 4–0 Premier League
24 April 2004 Old Trafford 0–1 Premier League
20 September 2004 Old Trafford 2–1 Premier League
22 January 2006 Old Trafford 1–0 Premier League
22 October 2006 Old Trafford 2–0 Premier League
23 March 2008 Old Trafford 3–0 Premier League
14 March 2009 Old Trafford 1–4 Premier League
21 March 2010 Old Trafford 2–1 Premier League
19 September 2010 Old Trafford 3–2 Premier League
11 February 2012 Old Trafford 2–1 Premier League
13 January 2013 Old Trafford 2–1 Premier League
16 March 2014 Old Trafford 0–3 Premier League
14 December 2014 Old Trafford 3–0 Premier League
12 September 2015 Old Trafford 3–1 Premier League

League home record
Home Team Wins Losses Draws
Liverpool 39 25 19
Manchester 42 16 25
Overall League Head to Head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
67 55 44

Results in domestic cup matches

Date Venue Matches Competition
Team 1 Score Team 2
12 February 1898 Bank Street Newton Heath 0–0 Liverpool FA Cup 2nd Round
16 February 1898 Anfield Liverpool 2–1 Newton Heath FA Cup 2nd Round Replay
7 February 1903 Bank Street Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool FA Cup 1st Round
8 January 1921 Anfield Liverpool 1–1 Manchester United FA Cup 1st Round
12 January 1921 Old Trafford Manchester United 1–2 Liverpool FA Cup 1st Round Replay
24 January 1948 Goodison Park[lower-alpha 1] Manchester United 3–0 Liverpool FA Cup 4th Round
30 January 1960 Anfield Liverpool 1–3 Manchester United FA Cup 4th Round
14 August 1965 Old Trafford Manchester United 2–2 Liverpool 1965 Charity Shield
21 May 1977 Wembley Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool 1977 FA Cup Final
13 August 1977 Wembley Liverpool 0–0 Manchester United 1977 Charity Shield
31 March 1979 Maine Road Manchester United 2–2
(a.e.t.)
Liverpool FA Cup Semi-final
4 April 1979 Goodison Park Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool FA Cup Semi-final Replay
26 March 1983 Wembley Liverpool 2–1
(a.e.t.)
Manchester United 1983 League Cup Final
20 August 1983 Wembley Manchester United 2–0 Liverpool 1983 Charity Shield
13 April 1985 Goodison Park Manchester United 2–2
(a.e.t.)
Liverpool FA Cup Semi-final
17 April 1985 Maine Road Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool FA Cup Semi-final Replay
26 November 1985 Anfield Liverpool 2–1 Manchester United League Cup 4th Round
18 August 1990 Wembley Liverpool 1–1 Manchester United 1990 Charity Shield
31 October 1990 Old Trafford Manchester United 3–1 Liverpool League Cup 3rd Round
11 May 1996 Wembley Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool 1996 FA Cup Final
24 January 1999 Old Trafford Manchester United 2–1 Liverpool FA Cup 4th Round
12 August 2001 Millennium Stadium Liverpool 2–1 Manchester United 2001 Charity Shield
2 March 2003 Millennium Stadium Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United 2003 League Cup Final
18 February 2006 Anfield Liverpool 1–0 Manchester United FA Cup 5th Round
9 January 2011 Old Trafford Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool FA Cup 3rd Round
28 January 2012 Anfield Liverpool 2–1 Manchester United FA Cup 4th Round
25 September 2013 Old Trafford Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool League Cup 3rd Round
Overall Domestic Cup Head to Head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
12 9 7

Results in European competitions

Date Venue Matches Competition
Team 1 Score Team 2
10 March 2016 Anfield Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United Europa League Round of 16
17 March 2016 Old Trafford Manchester United 1–1 Liverpool Europa League Round of 16
Overall European competition Head to Head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
0 1 1

Results in play-offs

Date Venue Matches Competition
Team 1 Score Team 2
28 April 1894 Ewood Park Liverpool 2–0 Newton Heath Football League Test Match
Overall Play-off Head to Head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
0 1 0
Overall Play-off Head to Head record
Manchester United wins Liverpool wins Draws
0 1 0

See also

Notes

  1. Due to war damage, Old Trafford was closed at the time, and Manchester United were playing their home matches at Maine Road. However, on the same day, Manchester City were at home to Chelsea in another FA Cup tie and as a result this tie was switched to Goodison Park

Further reading

References

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External links

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