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Ranked: Our best wins at Anfield
Saturday 04 January 2025 11:00
Sunday’s trip to Anfield marks our 99th visit to the home of fierce rivals, Liverpool.
It’s a game that not only dictates bragging rights between cities but historically has proved to be a bellwether in terms of who dominates English football.
We have a mixed record in L4 over the years, but the fixture has provided some memorable moments for fans of all ages.
Here are five of the most unforgettable from the Premier League era…
Liverpool 1 United 2 Video
Liverpool 1 United 2
22 March 2015: A memorable afternoon on Merseyside thanks to Juan Mata’s brilliant brace…
MAGIC MATA MAKES HIS MARK
In March 2015, Juan Mata produced a moment of magic with a stunning scissor kick on a tight angle to squeeze the ball past a bewildered Simon Mignolet. It was the Spaniard’s second goal of the game, following his 14th-minute opener, which he slotted into the far corner after a flowing team move.
Liverpool were reduced to 10 men just after the break, with Steven Gerrard’s final appearance in this fixture curtailed 38 seconds after his introduction as a substitute. The Merseysiders pulled one back through Daniel Sturridge, but United held on and could even afford Wayne Rooney’s penalty miss as we claimed a fourth straight league win under Louis van Gaal.
A CARRAGHER DOUBLE
Liverpool legend and current pundit Jamie Carragher had a day to forget in September 1999, as his pair of own goals helped us on our way to a 3-2 victory over the Merseysiders. A back-and-forth affair between the two sides included another red card, this time for one of our own in goalscorer Andy Cole.
His 18th-minute effort was sandwiched between those Carragher put through his own net and, although Liverpool twice cut the deficit through Sami Hyypia and Patrik Berger, it would ultimately be United’s game – and our season, as we retained the league title.
Liverpool 2 United 3 Video
Liverpool 2 United 3
11 September 1999: This early-season clash between Liverpool and United featured debuts for Silvestre and Taibi…
O’SHEA’S ICONIC INTERVENTION
In 2007, an unlikely derby hero emerged, in the form of John O’Shea. The Republic of Ireland defender had earlier replaced Wayne Rooney, who suffered a gash to the leg following a high challenge from Carragher.
A drab game, which the home side had the better of, looked to be petering out into a draw, which we’d probably have taken, especially once Paul Scholes was sent off for raising his hand to Xabi Alonso. But O’Shea was on hand in injury-time, firing a rebounded free-kick into the roof of the net at the Kop End to score a winner no United fan would ever forget.
Liverpool 0 United 1 Video
Liverpool 0 United 1
3 March 2007: An Anfield trip to savour as John O’Shea hit an injury-time winner in front of The Kop…
DIEGO’S FORTUNE
Before his mastery of the Jabulani ball at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a young Diego Forlan had a difficult time of it early on in Manchester, before etching his name into United folklore.
The Uruguayan, who had ended a 27-match goal drought earlier in the 2002/03 season, scored twice at Anfield to secure a vital three points in our eventual title-winning campaign. The first of the two was presented to Diego on a plate, as Jerzy Dudek completely missed the ball to provide our no.21 with a tap-in.
Forlan doubled his tally three minutes later, firing past Dudek at the near post and inspiring a chant that can still be heard sung by the Red Army today.
Liverpool 1 United 3 Video
Liverpool 1 United 3
19 April 1997: United took on second-place Liverpool at Anfield knowing victory would all but guarantee the title…
“WE WON THE LEAGUE ON MERSEYSIDE!”
A classic from 1997 rounds off our list, with United beating our arch-rivals 3-1 in April to all but end their title hopes. Alex Ferguson’s side travelled down the M62 knowing Liverpool could overtake us at the summit of the table with victory.
Roy Evans’ men had played a game more but were well-placed, despite a stuttering run of form in the second half of the season. An early Gary Pallister header calmed the nerves, before John Barnes equalised. Pallister restored our lead before half-time and then a misjudgement from Liverpool keeper David James allowed Andy Cole to nod in a game-settling third after the interval.
The victory meant Liverpool were now five points behind us with three games to play and, although they, Arsenal and Newcastle would remain in the title picture for another few weeks, the travelling Reds knew a fourth championship in five years was on the horizon as they sung: “We won the Football League again, this time on Merseyside!”
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Saturday 04 January 2025 11:00
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