They have won the English title more times than any other team and the European Cup more times than any other team in the country. The matchup between Liverpool and Manchester United is as big as it gets.
We take a look back at 3 unforgettable Premier League encounters between the two great rivals in the early years of the Premier League era!
Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool in 1992
The first meeting between the two teams since the Premier League’s inception occurred in October 1992 at Old Trafford, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United faced Graeme Souness’ Liverpool.
Don Hutchison’s deflected strike gave the visitors the lead, and Ian Rush subsequently doubled the advantage with his 287th goal for the Reds, breaking Roger Hunt’s club record.
But United produced the type of comeback that would come to define their decade. Mark Hughes scored a stunning lobbed volley with 12 minutes remaining after substitute Clayton Blackmore chipped the ball into his path.
Hughes then capitalised on a Ryan Giggs assist in the closing minute to secure United a point. Even Ferguson admitted it was fortunate.
“We didn’t play particularly well and perhaps we didn’t deserve a point.”
Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool in 1995
Eric Cantona returned to action after serving an eight-month suspension for his infamous kung-fu kick at Selhurst Park. Typical of him, he made an immediate impression, crossing for Nicky Butt to open the scoring 67 seconds into the game.
Robbie Fowler’s strikes either side of half-time threatened to derail the comeback, but when Jamie Redknapp was ruled to have fouled Giggs, Cantona had the ultimate say from the penalty spot.
Liverpool boss Roy Evans was unimpressed by referee David Elleray’s role. “It is a sad story when the referee thinks he has equal billing with Eric Cantona,” said Evans.
“I thought Cantona passed the test but the referee did not. We deserved more than we got. We lost two points on a dodgy decision.”
Ferguson just seemed relieved the drama was over. “Eric did well,” he said. “He’s tired, of course, but he can be pleased with his performance. And the hype’s over, thank goodness.”
Liverpool 2-3 Manchester United in 1999
Once is unlucky, but twice is recklessness, and Jamie Carragher will not remember this Anfield defeat in 1999 fondly after twice beating his own goalie.
Within three minutes, the Liverpool defender headed past Sander Westerveld, and when Andy Cole scored from a typical David Beckham free-kick, things seemed routine for the Premier League and European winners.
However, Massimo Taibi, who had an otherwise brilliant start in goal for Manchester United, gave Liverpool a way back when he failed to secure a free-kick, and Sami Hyypia equalised.
A second Carragher own-goal from another Beckham free-kick restored United’s two-goal lead, but after Patrik Berger scored and Cole was given a second yellow card for a swipe at Rigobert Song, the game ended in a raucous. Substitute Michael Owen toe-poked narrowly wide, but his comeback was unsuccessful.
