The biggest game in English football takes place on Monday night as Manchester United welcome hated rival Liverpool to Old Trafford. No derby in English football means more than when the Red Devils and Reds clash.
This isn’t just about football. This match is about two cities: one industrial and built on manufacturing and the other a city that lived and died on the docks.
Liverpool destroyed Manchester United in 2021-22. Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football machine went to Old Trafford and won 5-0 with four goals coming in the first half. Old Trafford was so quiet by the time the second half kicked off; you could have heard a pin drop.
The second match of the season wasn’t much better as Liverpool won 4-0 at Anfield. Liverpool are now unbeaten in eight straight Premier League games against United with a record of 5W-3D-0L. The last three league games between these rivals ended as Liverpool wins with a score of 13-2.
The Red Devils lead the all-time head-to-head record against Liverpool with 81W-58D-70L in all competitions.
These teams first met on April 28, 1894 with Liverpool defeating Newton Heath (today’s Man United) 2-0. The largest victory in this rivalry went to Liverpool as they defeated Newton Heath 7-1 on October 12, 1895.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has overseen 260 games with the Anfielders. He has a record of 166W-60D-34 losses in the Premier League. He averages 2.15 points per match in the league. In 16 all-time games against Manchester United in his career, Klopp has posted a record of 6W-7D-3L.
Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United has been a nightmare. After an eyebrow-raising preseason with strong results, Man United have lost their opening two games of the league season.
It wasn’t just that Man United lost those games, but how they were beaten. On matchday No. 2, Ten Hag watched the Red Devils be played off the park by Brentford, losing 4-0. Ten Hag has coached just two matches with Man United and lost both.
These managers have faced off against each other twice previously. Klopp holds the edge over Ten Hag with two wins from two games.
These teams did meet in preseason with Manchester United winning 4-0 in Bangkok. Liverpool played three different teams on the night with players getting just 30 minutes each, while Man United’s squad was unchanged for much of the game.
Liverpool are seeking a third straight league win. The Red Humiliated Manchester United last season 9-0 in combined goals. Can they do it again?