In case something is missing Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United, after the massive blow that saw them farewell not only to the Champions League but also to Europe on Tuesday, this Sunday they visit Liverpool in what is, historically speaking, the greatest classic in English football. The classic of classics, although currently Manchester City-Liverpool attracts more attention.
Manchester United’s arrival at Anfield was not good. The team led by Ten Hag is 6th in the Premier, 10 points behind Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool, the sole leader. One of the ‘red’ is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal (2nd), Unai Emery’s Aston Villa 2 (3rd), Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City 4 (4th) and Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham 7 ( 5th). ).
The fact is, if we examine the history of English football, United and Liverpool are the great rivals par excellence, even ahead of what their respective citizen derbies (United with City and Liverpool with Everton ).
1
The origins
Manchester and Liverpool, rival cities
This conflict was not originally only due to football issues but also social and economic issues. It should be taken into account that Manchester and Liverpool, separated by only 56 kilometers, are the two largest cities in the north-west of England, rivals at the industrial and economic level, especially since the construction of the Manchester Maritime Canal ( photo) , allowing Manchester merchants to stop paying high fees to the port of Liverpool.
2
Kings in the house
The two clubs with the most English leagues
Manchester United and Liverpool are the two English clubs with the most titles. At league level, United have the absolute record, 20, but Liverpool, second in this ranking, are just one behind what they won in 2019-20. Of those 20 Old Trafford leagues, 13 were under the command of Sir Alex Ferguson (pictured, including the last one, from 2010-11).
3
English monarchs in Europe
Six Champions Leagues for Liverpool and three for United
Liverpool and Manchester United are also the most successful English clubs in Europe. At Champions League level, Liverpool won 6 (pictured, celebrating the last one so far, in 2018-19 after beating Tottenham 0-2 at the Metropolitano) and Manchester United 3.
4
The black narrative
The songs of their radicals
This rivalry also has its worst side: the references of the ultra fans of both clubs to the tragedies of the rival team. In particular, the songs of the Liverpool radicals about the tragedy in Munich, where on February 6, 1958, 23 members of United died in a plane crash; and the chants of United radicals, about the tragedy at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield, where on April 15, 1989, 96 Liverpool fans died due to an avalanche.
Manchester United titles
LEAGUES: 20
FA CUP: 12
LEAGUE CUP / CARABAO CUP: 6
COMMUNITY SHIELD/CHARITY: 21
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 3
EUROPE LEAGUE /UEFA CUP: 1
RECUP: 1
EUROPEAN SUPER CUP: 1
INTERCONTINENTAL CUP: 1
CLUBS WORLD CUP: 1
Liverpool titles
LEAGUES: 19
FA CUP: 8
LEAGUE CUP: 9
COMMUNITY SHIELD / CHARITY :16
SUPER CUP (1986): 1
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 6
EUROPEAN LEAGUE/UEFA CUP: 3
EUROPEAN SUPER CUP: 4
CLUBS WORLD CUP: 1
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
