Through the Years – Manchester United vs Liverpool – Part 3 (2010s)

Manchester United vs Liverpool. Is there a more anticipated fixture in the Premier League calendar?

Is, or was? Two sides that have had their ups and downs, but now, with Liverpool sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League with their North-West counterparts 15, yes, 15 points behind them after just nine matches, the stakes are maybe not as a high as they seemed, even after Sunday’s tense affair.

But wherever the placings in the table, wherever the sides are at in terms of form, the fixture always provides a fire and nerve like no other on this planet.

In this three-part mini series I will be taking a look at how the fixture has evolved (only at Old Trafford, like the previous fixture) in the Premier League era and taking a look at certain games in their own contexts.

THROUGH THE YEARS – PART 3 – 2010s

After the final match of the noughties saw David N’Gog score a famous Liverpool goal in front of the Kop, it seemed fitting that Rafa Benitez’s final match at Old Trafford finished in another tight affair in the first of the 2010s. Alex Ferguson had won all but one match at home against the Spaniard, and it wasn’t going to change either.

Fernando Torres’ flying header got the Reds, painted in an iconic black and gold away kit, off to an absolute flier after just five minutes. But shortly after Wayne Rooney equalised and Park Ji-Sung snatched a winner half-an-hour from time, Rafa was sent packing from Old Trafford for the final time as Reds’ boss.

Next it was Roy’s Reds who visited Fergie’s lair, and coming from behind to level at 2-2 through two set-pieces from Steven Gerrard, Dimitar Berbatov maintained Liverpool’s shocking start to the season by firing a bicycle kick past Pepe Reina which completed a wonderful hat-trick.

Consecutive 2-1 defeats under Dalglish and Rodgers followed as well as an exit in the F.A. Cup in 2012, and United once again had regained control of the fixture at the Theatre of Dreams.

But in football, a tide was beginning to turn. Throughout all three pieces one factor has remained constant. Sir Alex Ferguson. In 2013, the times were changing.

The result that followed portrayed this. 2013/14 was a turbulent season for the Mancunians. Under David Moyes who had underwhelmed in his role, they faced a Liverpool side rolling their way to a potential league title under exciting young coach Brendan Rodgers. Obviously it didn’t end this way, but the sides were going in contrasting directions.

Rodgers’ Reds had it all. Offensively immaculate, with Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge destroying all in their wake. An ageing Steven Gerrard still pulling the strings at 34. This had to be Liverpool’s chance to make a statement, and make a statement they did.

After two definite penalties saw Liverpool storm into a 2-0 lead, courtesy of Steven Gerrard (camera kiss ‘n’ all), Suarez was slotted through by Sturridge and finished calmly to make it 3-0 for Liverpool. Embarrassing for the United fans, and surely it would only get worse.

But, and it still amazes me to this day, even as a biased Red, it is the last time Liverpool won at Old Trafford.

Although the clubs pendulums’ have again swung in different ways, Man United maintain an unbeaten record since 2014.

After missing out on the title in 2014, Liverpool’s form plummeted. Losing Suarez saw United move ahead of them with the appointment of Louis van Gaal. In an exciting new era for United, with massive marquee signings like Angel di Maria, whereas their rivals filled their boots with Rickie Lambert. The United wagon was again ready to roll.

At Old Trafford this was maintained. Wins by three goals to nil and to one in the following matches saw Rodgers sacked, albeit a wonderful goal from Christian Benteke. The latter game is more commonly known as the game where Anthony Martial announced himself to the Premier League. “Oh Yes!”

Intermittently the sides faced each other in a maiden European match, with Liverpool heading through after a tight 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

The next three, in the more modern ‘top six era’, have been the most tense of the matches this century, or even the Premier League era. Not only because of media hype, but because of the distinct lack of quality in the matches.

Since the 2016 Europa League match, the two sides have won five major honours between them, with United lifting three, and yet the two sides whenever they face each other seem to be at a stand off. Perhaps an overly analysed fixture.

The sides drew 1-1 back in 2017, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic rescuing a point for the Red Devils in a match famous for the debut of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Also for that disgusting fluorescent green number Liverpool used to wear! Inexcusable!

In 2018, Trent Alexander-Arnold was infamously caught out twice by the same artistry as Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford combined for the latter to bag a brace and win the game 2-1.

Earlier this year Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played out the perfect tactical plan. even with injury problems, as Liverpool lumbered to a 0-0 draw.

And who can forget? From afar to VAR. The controversy machine yet again produced a serial error (potentially) as Divock Origi was brought down by a flailing Manchester United leg in build-up to a fantastic finish by Marcus Rashford. The goal stood.  Sadio Mane then slotted home after a push and shove with Victor Lindelöf, but rightfully, as the ball touched his hand, the goal did not stand.

But of all people and with minutes to spare, Adam Lallana popped up with his first goal since May 2017 to maintain the Reds’ unbeaten start.

Through the years we have seen peaks, plateaus and dramatic drops. But one thing is for sure. This game will never lose its history.

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