Manchester United Vs. Liverpool Preview: A Rivalry For The Ages
The Manchester United vs Liverpool rivalry was forged from the fight for supremacy in the North-West during the 19th century industrial England. Fast forward to the 21st century and the Manchester United vs Liverpool rivalry has become the biggest rivalry in English football, with the two clubs becoming the two most successful clubs in England.
Today, both clubs are seeking to reclaim former glory after the emergence of clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea, but the Manchester United/Liverpool rivalry still involves the same hatred as it did in its heyday. A famous quote by Sir Alex Ferguson about the rivalry will forever be immortalized by Manchester United fans.
“My greatest challenge is not what’s happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f****** perch. And you can print that.”
Both Manchester United and Liverpool enter Saturday’s encounter with an identical start to the season, and both have failed to reignite despite a relatively good start on paper.
Manchester United has poured a large sum of cash into French youngster Anthony Martial. However, the forward is not expected to start with captain Wayne Rooney ready to break his ducks after becoming the England’s highest goalscorer in history over the international break. The more damning question is whether or not Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea will start after the bizarre transfer saga between his current employers and Real Madrid.
Liverpool, on the other hand, enjoyed a quiet transfer deadline day after conducting most of their activities before the start of the season. The Reds are facing a task traveling to Manchester without Philippe Coutinho, who is suspended after a receiving two yellow cards against West Ham United. Daniel Sturridge has returned from his rehabilitation in Boston and has already started full training sparking rumors that he may feature against Manchester United.
The quirky stat of just nine home wins in the past 40 matches favors Liverpool and the Merseysiders have played better away from home, but Manchester United has been the dominant of the two at Old Trafford. It’s a match neither manager can afford to lose.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is already starting to feel the heat after that West Ham loss and is constantly reminded of the prospect of German manager Jurgen Klopp’s availability and suitability for the job. Manchester United’s manager will be wary of the likely criticism he will face after a lackluster transfer market.
But the victors will be duly forgiven, until the next encounter.
As Manchester United vs Liverpool rarely fails to disappoint, it has earned the honor of being the most intense rivalry in English football.
[Photo by Richard Heathcote, Jamie McDonald, Mark Runnacles and Alex Livesey / Getty Images]