Top 5 most memorable Liverpool v Manchester United clashes
Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United – 11th May 1996
Embed from Getty ImagesWe start with an FA cup final 20 years ago. Looking at the result, you may be questioning how a scraping 1-0 win can be classed as memorable. However, if you look at the picture just below, you’ll understand. It’s fair to say the fashion disaster took most of the spotlight over the game itself, with the infamous white suits taking centre stage. Sir Alex Ferguson later revealed that he knew his team would end up lifting the trophy once he saw what Liverpool had arrived in.
Anyway, lets talk about the game itself. United had already won the Premier League at this point, and were the first club to complete the league and FA cup double TWICE after an Eric Cantona volley in the 85th minute of the game, to send Liverpool and their hideous white suits back to Merseyside.
Liverpool 3-1 Manchester United – 6th March 2011
Scoring a hat-trick in such a prestigious fixture isn’t something which happens everyday in your footballing career, but that’s just what happened to Dirk Kuyt, who scored all three of Liverpool’s goals in their win over United back in 2011.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt the time, United were up against Arsenal in a rollercoaster title race, which they would later win, whilst Liverpool were struggling to compete for the top four. The hat-trick could be argued as one of the easiest scored in Premier League history, with all three goals being no more than 6 yards out, virtually all being tap ins. The first came from some sublime skill from Luis Suarez that saw Kuyt tap in on the goal line, the second was a mistake from Nani heading the ball into the path of Kuyt to nod in and finally, the third Kuyt slammed home the ball when Edwin Van Der Sar fumbled a Suarez free kick. A game many Liverpool fans have not forgotten in a hurry.
Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool – 19th September 2010
From one hat-trick to another, but this time for Manchester United and Dimitar Berbatov. The Bulgarian scored all three goals for United in a thriller at Old Trafford, seeing off a brave Liverpool side.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe £30m man scored from a set piece in the first half to give the dominant United the lead. The best was yet to come with his second being a delightful bicycle kick in the second half, firing United into a comfortable 2-0 lead. This didn’t stop Steven Gerrard pulling Liverpool back into the game with a penalty and trademark Stevie G free kick to get the Reds back onto level terms. But up stepped Berbatov to steal the show once again, a header from an 84th minute corner saw him complete his hat-trick and claim the three points for United against a struggling Liverpool under Roy Hodgson.
Liverpool 3-3 Manchester United – 3rd January 1994
Liverpool have had many classic comebacks in their history, you only have to look to last season against Dortmund and the most famous comeback in football history back in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan. This was no different in the 1993/1994 season, where United took a breath taking 3-0 lead inside the first twenty-five minutes with goals from Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs and a free kick from Dennis Erwin.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, Liverpool fought their way back into the game scoring two before the first half came to a close, with Nigel Clough scoring both goals. It stayed that way right until the final minutes of the game, until Neil Ruddock popped up with a header to earn Liverpool a point in an unforgettable encounter. United would go on to win the league for the second time in two years, as Fergie begun his dominance of the Premier League.
Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool – 14th March 2009
We finish with a match that will live long in the memory of the red side of Merseyside for years to come, with both United and Liverpool fighting it out for the league, Liverpool grabbed three points at Old Trafford with a dominant display.
Things started well for United, as Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty early on, looking like they would extend their lead at the top of the table. However, a Nemanja Vidic mistake saw Fernando Torres level the scores just eight minutes later. Liverpool then took the lead just before half time, as Gerrard scored a penalty. Then another Vidic mistake in the second half saw him sent off and Aurelio score from the resulting free kick. It then went from bad to worse for United in injury time as Andrea Dossena (remember him?!) lobbed the helpless Van Der Sar to complete the embarrassment for United.
Despite the win, Liverpool still fell short as United went on to win the Premier League yet again. However, its fair to say this is only a few of the great encounters the two sides have had over the years, with many more yet to come.
EFL SHAKE UP TALKS CANCELLED – SO WHAT NEXT?
The English Football League cancelled plans of the proposed shake up of 100 teams across five leagues last week. The news came after the EFL claimed they wanted ’an extra division and have 20 teams in each of the five leagues by 2019’ back in May.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Football Association deemed the proposal was no longer “viable”. The new set up would have involved FA cup fixtures being played midweek and had been claimed to be able to ‘tackle fixture congestion’ by members of the English Football League. The FA dismissed the proposed changes completely with the new broadcasting deal in mind for the FA cup. The deal is worth a reported £820m, meaning FA cup fixtures have to be played on the weekends. “With the weekend slots not being available, there is no way we can meet the financial conditions,” explained EFL chief Shaun Harvey. The chief executive then seemed to take a swipe at the FA’s decision to end talks about the changes, claiming it was done so “without fully understanding the financial outcomes the new model could bring”.
So what does this mean for the future of English football? Well, similar to the previous idea of having Premier League ‘B’ teams introduced to the football league, this idea seems very much dead in the water. So what now? The real question is, does English football really need a revamp? If its not broke, why fix it? Right? This is an attitude that is very much mirrored by fans across the country, with change being something not likely to be taken well. In reality, not only would any proposed change reshape the structure of English football, but the tradition of English football. We as fans enjoy waking up on Boxing Day morning and going out to watch the football, lets be honest, it’s what makes English football so special.
Embed from Getty ImagesCould we see festive fixtures coming to an end soon?
Football has become nothing but a money ball, especially since the introduction of the Premier League in 1992. Change would also see clubs have a reduction in revenue, with one of the main modifications being the opportunity to expand the divisions, reducing leagues of 24 teams to 20 from the Championship all the way down to the conference leagues. Money some clubs simply cannot afford to be missing out on, especially in the lower leagues. Exeter City chairman Julian Tagg expressed his concern saying, “As you go down the football pyramid, clubs rely heavily on gate receipts, unless you have an owner who can just throw money at the football club, which many don’t”.
In terms of what’s next for the EFL’s plans in revamping English football, maybe no change is required after all, and if there is, it’s very much a minor one required. This is now the second lot of proposed change set out by the Football League, and both have received a negative response from clubs and fans alike. The question the English Football League should be answering now isn’t ‘what idea is next?’ but ‘is there need for change at all?’ Have the English governing bodies become so obsessed with the concept of changing the foundation of English football, they’ve convinced themselves there’s a need for change which in reality, isn’t there.
Ben Woodburn – Liverpool’s next star?
Tuesday night saw Ben Woodburn become the youngest goal scorer in Liverpool’s history aged just 17 years and 45 days. However, the debate has already begun, is the Cheshire born starlet a ‘flash in the pan’ or one for the future?
Woodburn’s goal in their 2-0 victory over Leeds saw the Reds cruise into the semi-final of the EFL Cup for the third straight season where they will face Southampton.
Embed from Getty ImagesLiverpool manager Jurgen Klopp took a cautious approach after Woodburn’s record breaking goal, stating that he was “really happy” for the youngster but admitting he is “afraid of all you, the media”. The media spotlight has been something that has hampered the development of youngsters in the past, with Federico Macheda being one of many examples in recent years, meaning Liverpool will be wary of the potential pressure Woodburn could face. This was the obvious approach from Klopp in his post-match interview, as he continued to play down the 17-year-olds feat claiming, “I said well done afterwards. It was not too difficult, I would have scored in that situation”, with a sly smile on his face.
Liverpool were already aware of Woodburn’s talent, and many fans witnessed this for the first time in the teen’s impressive pre-season campaign. Klopp was then questioned whether a boy who has just taken his GCSE’s could feature in the first team for the coming season, Klopp replied “of course not, Ben is just 16”.
Is this a peak or just the beginning for the Liverpool forward? Woodburn follows in the footsteps of teammate James Milner and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney who both scored their first senior goals at the age of 16 and both going on to have successful careers.
However, a goal at such a tender age isn’t always an indication for greatness.
The Premier League’s all-time youngest goal scorer James Vaughan, who scored at the age of 16 years and 267 days for Everton against Crystal Palace saw his career decline after that historic goal. Vaughan is living proof of how a promising player who has been placed on a pedestal can fall from grace. However, if his career wasn’t hampered by injuries it could have been a different story, Vaughan now plays in League One with Bury at the age of 28.
Is there a bright future ahead for Woodburn? Yes, probably. However, comparing a youngster, who this time last year was revising for his GCSE’s, as the next Steven Gerrard is perhaps a little too far.
Jamal Branker – From the Academy
I recently got the chance to sit down with Jamal Branker. Branker started his career at Southampton, playing with the likes of Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse before his release in 2012. Since then, Branker has played for Marlow, Salford City and is now playing his trade at FC United of Manchester.
In this interview, Branker discusses his opinion on academy football, his personal journey since his release and the pressures which comes with playing for one of the best academies in English football.
How much did the coaches at Southampton help improve your game?
JB: Well I started at Southampton as a striker, and then started playing right back and ended up playing as a winger. So I think they developed my understanding of the game in different positions and that helped me to be as versatile as possible on the pitch, adapting to different positions when my manager needs me to, it’s helped me massively.
Do you feel there is too much pressure put on academy players now compared to 20 years ago, with games being televised and added media pressure?
JB: No, not at all. I think it is a good way of advertising the young players coming through the academies. Yes, you get recognised earlier compared to past years, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing getting noticed really. In my opinion it’s great to be prepared for what could happen if you get to the first team.
Has the quality of players who you’ve played with at Southampton helped your game improve?
JB: 100%. You can only improve by testing yourself against the best, not only training with them, but playing against the best 6/7 days a week. It can only result in you getting better. The quality of the academy at Southampton is incredible, there was some real talent there, and proven with players going on to play in the Premier League from my time there.
“You can only test yourself against the best, not only training with them, but playing against the best”
How did you deal with being released at academy level, and how did you bounce back?
JB: Obviously it was a massively disappointing, certainly a massive setback with where I wanted to be. At the end of the day, I’m just one of thousands being told the same thing each year. The only thing I could see to do, was to go and prove them wrong, that’s my drive to this day.
What’s your journey been since the release from Southampton?
JB: It’s not gone how I envisaged it if I’m honest, but then again I’m healthy and still playing and that is the main thing. I’ve been on a few trials, later I dropped down a few divisions in order to gain experience against experienced adults, which helped my game. Since then I’ve played for Marlow, Salford City and I’m currently playing for FC United and really enjoying it here.
What was the best part of playing in Southampton’s academy, with it being known as one of the best in England?
JB: Being at a club like Southampton, it is incredible. Everything is basically done for you right up to the time you step on the pitch. The best part about Southampton for me would have to be the family feeling you get throughout the club. That was whether you played in the academy, reserves or first team. Everyone felt welcome and the staff there was second to none.
Finally, what advice would you give to a young footballer playing at academy level?
JB: My advice would be to enjoy every day and work hard, because you never know when it could come to an end. One day you’re going to matches and training daily, the next, you’re being told your contract isn’t being renewed. Just enjoy every second; it’s the best job in the world.
What’s next for Steven Gerrard?
Last month Steven Gerrard announced his retirement from football putting an end to an 18 year career. So what next for the Liverpool legend? Where could Gerrard be plying his trade next and will it be in coaching or punditry?
Embed from Getty ImagesLiverpool
One of the obvious destinations for Gerrard would be back to where it all started, at Liverpool. Gerrard doesn’t hide his love for Liverpool, and the fans certainly don’t hide their love for their former captain, but is a return to Merseyside likely for the scouser? Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has said that Gerrard will always ‘be welcome’ at the club. With Gerrard currently taking his coaching badges, a Liverpool return in a coaching role with the youth sides is a strong possibility and fitting way to start a new chapter where his football career originally began.
Celtic
Could Gerrard’s next destination reconnect him with former manager Brendan Rodgers. Gerrard has previously claimed that he wished the Irishman had managed him earlier in his career. So where better to start his coaching role than with Rogers. However, Gerrard’s last season under Rodgers wasn’t the best, with Gerrard being left out of key games in his final season as a Liverpool player, including his last game against Manchester United at Anfield, which was rumoured to have strained the relationship, meaning a move to Scotland may not be on the cards.
Embed from Getty ImagesNewcastle
Similarly to Celtic, Newcastle has been touted as a possible destination for Gerrard, mainly due to the current manager. This time Rafa Benitez will be hoping to tempt Gerrard to the northeast. With the club flying high in the Championship, Gerrard may learn valuable experience from Benitez. Nevertheless, the bond with Benitez may not be enough to charm Gerrard to the Championship team. If Gerrard chooses coaching, wherever he goes the spotlight will be on him, perhaps a less profile team would mean less pressure.
Television
Although it would be a shock, Gerrard may opt to dive into the world of television. Gerrard has made a number of appearances as a pundit on BT Sport for Champions League games, so could join up with Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen as a BT pundit.
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