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Sabtu, 18 September 2010

Top ten Red v Red


Skysports.com counts down ten memorable games between Manchester United and Liverpool over the years.

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday for the latest game in a series between two teams who share one of the greatest rivalries in football. Manchester United currently have the edge with 69 victories to the Merseysiders' 60, while there have been 50 draws. Supporters are mainly interested, of course, in the most recent result as they look to secure North West bragging rights for the next few months. There have been so many classic encounters over the years that narrowing it down to the ten best of all time would be a mind-boggling exercise, so skysports.com is instead recalling some of the most memorable since the Premier League started.

Manchester United 2 Liverpool 2 - October 1992

The rivalry was already well-established by the time the sides met for the first time in the new-look Premier League, serving up a thrilling four-goal draw at Old Trafford. Don Hutchison and Ian Rush fired Liverpool into a 2-0 lead at half-time and it looked like the points were safe as they held firm until deep into the second period. But as is so often the case in these games there was late drama, with Mark Hughes reducing United's arrears in the 78tth minute and then netting an equaliser just before the final whistle.

Liverpool 3 Manchester United 3 - January 1994

United were undeniably the dominant force in English football at this time as they defended their league title and Liverpool slumped to a disappointing eighth-placed finish, but the Anfield outfit still raised their game for this midwinter cracker. Such a scoreline had appeared unthinkable when United roared into a three-goal lead thanks to Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs and a Denis Irwin free-kick, but Nigel Clough struck twice to set up a rousing finale and Neil Ruddock headed home late on to cap a remarkable fightback.

Manchester United 2 Liverpool 2 - October 1995

Another classic which ended all square as flamboyant Frenchman Eric Cantona took centre stage on his return from a ten-month suspension for his infamous attack on a fan at Selhurst Park. The United legend set up Nicky Butt for an early opener but then faded out of the limelight as Robbie Fowler produced the sort of sublime performance that was a common occurrence during his Liverpool heyday, scoring twice to put the visitors in front. But ultimately it was Cantona who had the last laugh, slotting home a penalty to salvage a precious point.

Liverpool 1 Manchester United 3 - April 1997

Gary Pallister, renowned as one of the finest centre-backs in the business, made an impact at the other end of the pitch with an unlikely double as United took the honours away from home. Billed as a likely title race decider, the Red Devils were soon in front when Pallister headed home a David Beckham cross. John Barnes brought Liverpool level before Pallister found the target again, and a howler from David James allowed Andy Cole to secure the points and leave Anfield in silence.

Manchester United 0 Liverpool 1 - December 2000

Liverpool had gone ten games without a win against United prior to this meeting but that just made success all the sweeter as a delightful Danny Murphy free-kick proved good enough. The key moment came just before half-time and the visitors hung on for victory as Gerard Houllier's promise that 'we will beat them one day' came true. Liverpool went on to enjoy a splendid campaign by emerging triumphant in the League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup.

Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1 - November 2001

The atmosphere at these games is always special but on this occasion the Anfield faithful were in better voice than ever to rally their troops. Houllier had just fallen ill and Liverpool were in need of a lift. They responded with a wonderful performance as Michael Owen struck twice and John Arne Riise smashed in a spectacular free-kick, meaning David Beckham's effort was mere consolation.

Manchester United 4 Liverpool 0 - April 2003

An unusually one-sided affair as the Red Devils ran riot at home. Ruud van Nistelrooy did much of the damage with a brace of penalties, while Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also scored. The writing was on the wall as early as the fifth minute when Sami Hyypia was sent off for a foul in the box and Van Nistelrooy tucked away his first spot-kick. Liverpool managed to stay in the game for another hour before the Dutchman netted again to completely kill off the contest.

Manchester United 3 Liverpool 0 - March 2008

United closed in on another title with a dominant display at home, and again the match turned on a Liverpool player being sent off. Javier Mascherano was the man given his marching orders this time after a foolish show of dissent just before half-time, although Wes Brown had already opened the scoring. Cristiano Ronaldo headed home United's second late on but there was still time for Portuguese compatriot Nani to pile on more misery with a fine finish.

Manchester United 1 Liverpool 4 - March 2009

Liverpool overturned the reigning champions at Old Trafford to claim one of their finest results in recent years, with Fernando Torres at his brilliant best to inspire an emphatic win. United took control early on thanks to a Ronaldo penalty but the Merseysiders came storming back thanks to goals from Torres, who tormented Nemanja Vidic all afternoon, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena. The result reignited Liverpool's title hopes, although ultimately they fell just short as United held their nerve.

Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0 - October 2009

The pressure was mounting on Rafa Benitez after an awful sequence of results for Liverpool but they bounced back in style courtesy of goals from Torres and David Ngog. Spanish star Torres again rose to the occasion by breaking the deadlock with a classy effort, having raced away from Rio Ferdinand to lash the ball past Edwin van der Sar. Ngog got in on the act during a remarkable climax which also saw Vidic and Mascherano shown red cards, not for the first time in this fixture.

source: skysports.com

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