Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “To me, Liverpool will always be the derby game, just because of the history. When I came down here, they were the kingpins of England. My aim was to try and turn that round. It’s hard for me to go against history.” This is THE derby game in English football, and below, we take a look at the history, performances, and players that define this prominent rivalry.
Origins and Early Years:
Liverpool and Manchester are situated in the northwest of England, a mere 35 miles apart. Their rivalry dates back to the Industrial Revolution when both cities thrived economically but for different reasons. Manchester, with its numerous textile factories, was the more populous city. Meanwhile, Liverpool benefited significantly from its status as a major seaport, facilitating the import and export of goods through its bustling docks.
The first official meeting between these football giants occurred on 28 April 1894, during a Football League test match. Liverpool emerged victorious with a 2–0 win over Newton Heath (which later became Manchester United). The proximity of the two cities, historic economic rivalry, and the popularity at home and abroad have fueled this intense footballing clash. Players, fans, and the media consider this fixture to be the clubs’ most significant rivalry, surpassing even their local derbies (Everton vs. Liverpool and Manchester City vs. Manchester United). The Northwest Derby remains one of the biggest and fiercest rivalries in world football, with both clubs boasting impressive trophy hauls and passionate fan bases. Although, of course, Manchester United has more league and FA Cup titles.
Interestingly, the origins of this rivalry extend beyond football. During the Industrial Revolution, Liverpool’s financial control over imports and exports irked Manchester. In response, Manchester constructed the Manchester Ship Canal to bypass Liverpool’s influence, leading to economic tensions. Thus, the Liverpool-Manchester United derby transcends mere football matches—it embodies a rich tapestry of history, competition, and local pride.
The ship, placed above the Red Devil, symbolizes free trade in Manchester, which was made easier by the addition of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894. This angered citizens in Liverpool and strengthened the rivalry between the two clubs.
Famous Wins for United
5 May 1928 – Manchester United 6 Liverpool 1: In a season that Manchester United struggled mightily, the last match of the campaign was a rampant display from the Reds. Joe Spence, the team’s leading scorer, bagged a hat-trick to lead Herbert Bamlett’s side to a 6-1 win at Old Trafford. This match marked the first five goal win for Manchester United in the derby. This game also halted a three-match losing streak against Liverpool.
11 May 1996 – Manchester United 1 Liverpool 0: Manchester United had already secured the league title and came into the match looking to add the FA Cup at Wembley. The game was close, with not much happening in attack for either side. The breakthrough came in the 85th minute, as Eric Cantona struck the ball past David James to give Manchester United a late 1-0 victory. This marked Sir Alex Ferguson’s 3rd FA Cup in six years.
11 February 2012 – Manchester United 2 Liverpool 1: Before the match, Luis Suarez refused to shake Patrice Evra’s hand after being banned for eight games when throwing racial abuse at the United defender. During the match, Wayne Rooney scored twice to give the Reds a two-goal lead before Suarez scored once. Manchester United grabbed the 2-1 win, and Evra celebrated directly in front of Luis Suarez.
17 March 2024 – Manchester United 4 Liverpool 3 AET: United’s most recent famous Derby triumph came en route to winning the 2023-24 FA Cup. After Scott McTominay’s opener, goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool the lead until Antony came off the bench to level the tie in the 87th minute. Harvey Elliott and Marcus Rashford then traded goals in extra time, setting up what seemed to be a quarter-final penalty shootout.
Enter Amad Diallo. While Liverpool pressed for a late winner, Amad and Alejandro Garnacho caught them out with a break, and the Ivorian finished off the post in the 121st minute to send the Reds to the semi-final.
Heroic Performances
Bryan Robson, April 1988: Manchester United captain Bryan Robson was known best for his leadership, and in the 1988 North-West Derby, the skipper stepped up to produce a stunning performance at Anfield. Robson scored his first goal before the home side scored three straight to make it 3-1. Manchester United went down to ten men, but behind Robson, the team rebounded to draw 3-3 after goals from the captain and Gordon Strachan.
Dimitar Berbatov, 2010: Dimitar Berbatov produced the best solo performance in the history of the Derby in 2010. The striker scored an incredible hat-trick that included an overhead kick and a late matchwinner. Berbatov’s goal with six minutes left provided Manchester United a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford and bragging rights in the Derby.
All-Time Record
Manchester United leads the series with 83 wins in all competitions. Liverpool has 72 wins, and there have been 61 draws. In the Premier League, United leads the series 29-17-20.
Derby Statistical Leaders
Most Appearances: Ryan Giggs – 48 Appearances
Top Scorer: Mohamed Salah – 16 Goals
Largest Margin of Victory: Liverpool 7 Manchester United 0
Longest Winning Streak: Liverpool – 5 Games
United Beyond Manchester 
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