Saturday sees the biggest clash in English football taking place at least according to one of the legends from the Premier League era, Ryan Giggs. Manchester United host Liverpool for the 193rd time with more than 80 major honours between the two clubs, the rivalry sees these two take on each other and this tie isn’t meant for the faint hearted.
Manchester United lead the wins column with 77 wins compared to 64 for Liverpool and the Red Devils also won both the fixtures in the league last season against their big rivals but from where and why did this rivalry began? We provide a bit of a history regarding the fiercest rivalry in the Premier League.
Two champions on the decline, but with a lot of history and animosity
The rivalry was already set before the clubs decided to take it up a notch. Manchester and Liverpool are located in the northeast of England with less than 40 miles separating the cities, there was always a fight between them to be supreme. Manchester was famous for its manufacturing units, while Liverpool was known for the port.
Both teams have dominated English football, but at different times in English football. Liverpool were the original all-conquerors when they dominated football, European and English during the 1970’s to 1990. The club won 11 League championships and four European cups while Manchester United have dominated English football in the more recent times between 1990-2013 having won 13 championships and two European cups.
Both clubs now are one a sort of decline with not challenging for the titles as they are used to, at least in the case of Manchester United. Liverpool have not won the Premier League title in all these years while Manchester United have dominated the Premier League era but are behind their intercity rivals Manchester City.
The rivalry seems to have grown more thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson’s infamous ‘knock Liverpool off the perch’ comment, which might have riled United more and led them to conquer English football. Liverpool has been trying to play catch-up in the Premier League era and haven’t been all that successful.
There have been quite a few notable spats between players, everyone remembers the Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra racism row, there were the consecutive red cards for Vidic every time he seemed to face Liverpool. How can we forget Liverpool winning three penalties at Old Trafford during the Moyes’ rather horrendous time and Steven Gerrard getting sent off in his last match against Manchester United for a stamp on Ander Herrera.
There is always a talking point when these two giants meet and that is surely going to happen when they battle on Saturday, there will be a lot to talk about after this match, that is for sure.
Comments are closed.