Liverpool vs Manchester United – The Rivalry Returns

Updated: 10/18/2016

Post match analysis Liverpool vs Manchester United

Liverpool and Manchester United played a goalless and uneventful match at Anfield on #RedMonday!

Full match highlights are given below:

Mourinho: Liverpool is not among the 7 wonder of the world as you (media) say they are!

Ander Herrera: “We were better in the first half, they were better in the second half. It’s a fair point.” #MUFC #LIVMUN pic.twitter.com/FA2hx4gvW7

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 17, 2016

#MUFC had 35% possession in #LIVMUN.

Their lowest ever in a #PL game

Jose: “That was the game we planned” ? pic.twitter.com/dcFcfA3Zew

— Unibet (@unibet) October 18, 2016

#LFC fans, are you happy with the #LIVMUN result? pic.twitter.com/lND4IPUwsn

— Unibet (@unibet) October 18, 2016

Current EPL standings after Monday match can be viewed here.

Look around. There are no enemies here. There’s just good, old-fashioned rivalry.

– Bob “Hoolihan” Wells

The famous North West Derby returns to Anfield on Monday 17th October when the Liverpool army hosts the might of Manchester United. The North West Derby holds a special place in club football, compared to the likes of the Spanish El Classico and South American Superclásico. The rivalry has become so intense over the years that, every time we have a derby day, pleas like these come up:

Tensions are also high amongst club officials, staff and security agencies after clashes and mob fights were observed the last time both teams met. An official reminder and plea has been issued to keep fans calm before & after the event.

Head to Head – Last 10 Matches

When put head to head, Manchester United clearly comes out the better team. Starting 1984, the two clubs have met on 196 occasions with Manchester United tasting glory on 79 occasions while Liverpool came up victorious 65 times.

Here are the results for the last 10 matches between the two teams:

Unfortunately for the Anfield loyal sad news lingers with Manchester United comprehensively winning on 7 occasions in their last 10 games against their archrivals. Liverpool have won only twice with 1 draw which was also at Anfield. From the 5 games played at Anfield, Liverpool has lost 3 times and drew once. In both the 2015 and 2014 seasons, Manchester United won the fixture.

The good news for Liverpool fans is that neither of the teams has ever won 5 matches of the derby in a row. Manchester United has won the last four EPL matches between the two teams, could this be United’s chance to break a century old record?

The Managers – Jurgen Klopp v Jose Mourinho

This will not be the first time Klopp will go head to head against Mourinho in the EPL. The two have previously clashed when Jose was in-charge of Chelsea. But, the rivalry between the two managers dates back to their Dortmund & Real Madrid days. Jurgen Klopp has competed against Jose Mourinho on 5 occasions winning 3 times, drawing once and losing once.

When Jurgen Klopp was in charge of Borussia Dortmund his team met Mourinho’s Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions’ League (UCL) group stage in 2012/3. Klopp’s Dortmund won over the two legs 4-3, but there was more to come.

“I am full of respect for Mourinho’s work. Everything is okay between us” … “I think if you are not a journalist or a referee, he is a nice guy.” – Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Manager

Mourinho had a chance to redeem himself when the two teams met in the Semi Finals of the UCL and again Klopp swept Madrid aside with a 4-3 aggregate, embarrassing Los Blancos 4-1 in the semi-final home leg.

“For Jurgen, I am not a close friend because football doesn’t allow that but he is a guy I like a lot.” – Jose Mourinho, Manchester United Manager

When Jurgen Klopp joined Liverpool in 2015, his first true challenge came when Mourinho’s Chelsea was dragging on in the most obnoxious form they had been for 13 years. Klopp’s Anfield revival thrashed Chelsea 1-3 at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool v Manchester United kicks off on the 17th of October exclusively on Sky Sports 1 (Coverage Start at 7). You can also watch the derby live on beInSports MENA with expert analyses, to learn how & where to watch Red Monday check out our list of EPL broadcasters.

History of the Rivalry

The Liverpool-Manchester United rivalry dates back … way back to the industrial revolution. Just when the two cities were beginning to rise as commercial centers, an economic rivalry broke out with one city being a major port while the other being a hub for textile. Tensions grew immensely after the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, heavily opposed by administrators of Liverpool.

As economic & industrial competition amongst the two cities grew, Liverpool fell into economic slowdown while Manchester progressed two folds. Rivalry bled onto the football field with the first match between Liverpool and Manchester United (then called Newton Heath), resulted in Newton Heath losing and being demoted to the second division.

#LFC has issued a joint statement with @ManUtd to all fans attending next Monday’s game at Anfield.https://t.co/719CqYqueK

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 13, 2016

Liverpool vs Man Utd

The greatest rivalry in English football

— Sifa (@BrianKarabu) October 13, 2016

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo is anticipating some fireworks at the KOP both on the pitch and on the touchline. This one is not just about managerial prowess or team supremacy, but this is going to be about prestige.

Recent Form

Liverpool has had a great start to the season, with goals flowing like a river, but on both ends of the pitch. The Anfield Reds have scored 18 goals in their first 7 matches while conceding 8 goals. Liverpool’s last five match results are WWWWD landing them in 4th place on goal difference behind Arsenal.

EPL Table as at 13th October 2016

Manchester United started well topping the table in weeks 1 & 2 but faltered away now resting at number six 3 points behind Liverpool. United’s last 5 matches resulted in DWLLW, with the latest draw coming against Stoke. Manchester United’s multi-million dollar team has currently scored 13 goals while conceding 8 times. 8 of United’s 13 goals have come in their last 3 matches. Currently, Jurgen Klopp’s side is first in the EPL for overall goals (71), possession per game (58.8%), sprints per game (559) and tackles per game (22.4) since he started in October 2015.

Injury Updates

Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne returned to full training on 13th October giving Jurgen Klopp a huge boost for his defense. Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can still remain sidelined with injuries but big Emre can possibly return in Lallana’s absence.

Jose Mourinho would be considered very special when it comes to injuries. Henrikh Mkhitaryan stayed home to recover, Luke Shaw is expected back on Monday and all his other signings will return from International duty in fine health & fitness. Phil Jones has still not shown sign of a return and will not feature.

Predictions & Polls

As public polls swarm the internet and print media there is not much ambiguity over the favorite in this encounter. Liverpool is being hyped favorite against a highly overrated Manchester United team & manager. The following poll is from The Sun as at 13th October 2:00 PM GMT:

North West Derby Poll in ‘The Sun’ online edition

Paul Merson returned after the international break with some more enticing predictions for the upcoming game week. The Sky Sports pundit who got 6 out of 10 results correct last week predicts that Liverpool will make life very difficult for the red devils. Merson claims Mourinho has no idea what his best team is right now, his team will struggle to open up the game with Liverpool’s pressing top 3. Here are the top pundit predictions for the match:

Paul Merson predicts a 3-1 Liverpool victory.

Tony Gale predicts a Liverpool victory.

Jamie Carraghar predicts a Liverpool victory.

Fans have also taken to social media to support their clubs:

Looking forward to big match on Monday Man Utd v Liverpool the rivalry is huge should be great spectacle Utd to win 2-1

— Daniel Fletcher (@7910228Daniel) October 10, 2016

Hard to predict the result for Liv v ManUtd

I can’t see ManUtd scoring more than a goal. And I can see Liverpool scoring freely

3-1

— Manchesterspeak (@Manchesterspeak) October 13, 2016

See You Again Soon

Hope you enjoyed our blog we are charged up for a really exciting Red Monday with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as our favorite.

Who do you think will win the inaugural North West Derby of the new season? Let us know in the comments below, alternatively, tweet your choice to us @VPNBest and use the #LIVMU.