The Reds have struggled at Old Trafford in recent times, and Brendan Rodgers’ side will need to put an end to that on Sunday if they are to remain in the title race. Henry Jackson (@OnFootballTweet) takes a look at the last five Premier League clashes there.
MAN UTD 2-1 LIVERPOOL- 13th January 2013
Despite a spirited second-half display, Liverpool gave themselves too much to do last season, as United enhanced their title chances with victory.
Robin van Persie fired the home side in front after finding space in the penalty area, before his free-kick was turned in by Nemanja Vidic, who got the last touch from Patrice Evra’s flicked header.
New Liverpool signing Daniel Sturridge was introduced after the interval, and he gave the Reds an extra dimension in attack. He pulled a goal back after Steven Gerrard‘s initial shot was saved by David de Gea, but the visitors couldn’t grab an equaliser.
LFC XI: Reina, Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Lucas, Gerrard, Allen, Downing, Sterling, Suarez
MAN UTD 2-1 LIVERPOOL- 11th February 2012
An ill-tempered affair, overshadowed by the Luis Suarez and Evra race row, had a similar pattern to the 2012/13 clash, with Kenny Dalglish‘s side coming up short on the day.
After a tight opening 45 minutes, in which Glen Johnson and Ryan Giggs both had good chances, Wayne Rooney’s double straight after the break put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in total command.
With 10 minutes remaining Suarez pulled a goal back with a close-range effort, but it would prove to be just a consolation in the end.
LFC XI: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Gerrard, Spearing, Henderson, Downing, Kuyt, Suarez
MAN UTD 3-2 LIVERPOOL- 19th September 2010
An enthralling encounter between the two sides yet again saw heartbreak for Liverpool, who had battled back bravely at one point.
Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal of the first-half, heading home in 42nd minute. He then scored a stunning overhead kick to put the hosts in control.
With the game drifting away, Liverpool won a penalty after a foul on Fernando Torres, and Gerrard scored from the spot. Six minutes later, the skipper’s free-kick got through the United wall, and Roy Hodgson’s side were level.
The final act was left to Berbatov, however, with the Bulgarian heading the ball home to complete his hat-trick and win the game for his side.
LFC XI: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Poulsen, Gerrard, Meireles, Cole, Maxi, Torres
MAN UTD 2-1 LIVERPOOL- 21st March 2010
Another miserable day in Rafa Benitez’s disastrous final season at Liverpool saw his side succumb to United after a tight game at Old Trafford.
The Reds got off to a dream start, as Dirk Kuyt’s cross was met by the head of Torres after just five minutes. The lead didn’t last long, however, as United were awarded a soft penalty for a foul on Antonio Valencia by Javier Mascherano. Rooney’s effort was saved by Pepe Reina, but the striker put in the rebound.
With the game finely poised, the deciding moment of the match came on the hour mark. Park Ji-Sung met Darren Fletcher’s cross with his head, and Benitez’s men couldn’t find an equaliser.
LFC XI: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Torres
MAN UTD 1-4 LIVERPOOL- 14th March 2009
This remains one of Liverpool’s finest ever away results in the Premier League, and it breathed new life into their 2008/09 title push.
The hosts did take the lead, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring from the spot after Park was fouled by Reina. From that point on, however, it was all about Liverpool.
Torres equalised clinically after an error by Vidic, before Evra’s foul on Gerrard inside the box allowed him to dust himself off and fire the Reds in front just before half-time.
With 15 minutes remaining Vidic was sent-off after bringing down Gerrard when through on goal, and from the free-kick that followed, Fabio Aurelio curled home a sensational effort to make it 3-1.
Andrea Dossena rubbed salt in United’s wounds, lobbing the ball over Edwin van der Sar in stoppage time to round off an unforgettable victory for Benitez’s side.
LFC XI: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Riera, Torres
Fan Comments