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The Greatest 10 Manchester United versus Liverpool Encounters of All Time

Manchester United and Liverpool have delivered numerous legendary encounters throughout history, and we've selected 10 of the most memorable.

Representing English football's fiercest rivalry, Manchester United and Liverpool have clashed since as far back as 1894.

These clubs have gifted us some of the most unforgettable matches in football history, and in this piece, we present a countdown of the top-10 showdowns between these two North-West giants.

10) August 22, 1953 – Liverpool 4-4 Man Utd

This remarkable eight-goal spectacle at Anfield showcased several 1950s legends, as both sides finished level.

Bob Paisley, who would later manage Liverpool, featured at wing-half for the home team, whilst Scottish icon Billy Liddell led the line for Liverpool.

United's squad included Roger Byrne and Tommy Taylor, both members of the Busby Babes who tragically perished in the Munich air disaster half a decade later.

9) May 21, 1977 – Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool

The 96th FA Cup final unfolded on a blistering hot afternoon at Wembley, with all three goals arriving within a frantic four-minute spell in the second period.

Stuart Pearson put United in front, before Jimmy Case's swivel and strike restored parity for Liverpool just 120 seconds later.

The decisive goal arrived in the 55th minute, when Lou Macari's attempt deflected home via teammate Jimmy Greenhoff.

8) March 26, 1983 – Liverpool 2-1 Man Utd

Before nearly 100,000 spectators, the two teams contested the League Cup final at Wembley, marking Bob Paisley's final major showpiece as Liverpool boss.

Norman Whiteside netted a spectacular solo effort to put United ahead, before Alan Kennedy's second-half angled strike brought Liverpool level.

The contest extended into extra-time, and one of the most memorable strikes at the iconic venue ultimately delivered Liverpool the silverware, courtesy of Ronnie Whelan's magnificent curling finish.

7) March 17, 2024 – Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool

Another FA Cup encounter features next, with this seven-goal epic requiring extra-time at Old Trafford.

Scott McTominay prodded the home side ahead, before Liverpool responded with two strikes just before half-time through Alexis McAllister and Mo Salah.

Liverpool were once more caught by a late United equaliser, this time Anthony's turn and finish forced extra-time.

Despite Harvey Elliott's long-distance strike restoring the visitors' advantage, goals from Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo secured an improbable victory for Erik ten Hag's side.

6) January 24, 1999 – Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool

Perhaps the most dramatic conclusion to any Man Utd vs Liverpool fixture, this FA Cup fourth-round encounter saw the home team trailing for 85 minutes, yet ultimately prevailing.

Michael Owen nodded Liverpool ahead after merely three minutes, and the Merseysiders appeared destined to eliminate their adversaries from the competition.

Dwight Yorke delivered a close-range leveller in the 88th minute, before 'super-sub' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer netted the decisive goal during injury time with a low left-footed effort.

5) March 5, 2023 – Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd

Sunday March 5 remains permanently ingrained in every Liverpool supporter's memory, with the Reds achieving their largest ever victory against their primary adversaries.

It's remarkable to recall that this match stood at 0-0 with merely two minutes left in the opening half, when Cody Gakpo cut inside from the left flank and bent a strike into the distant corner.

Liverpool extended their advantage two minutes after the restart, via Darwin Nunez's close-range header, and subsequently the scoring intensified.

Gakpo claimed his second, before Mo Salah's spectacular volley established a 4-0 lead with 24 minutes still to play. Additional strikes from Nunez and Salah followed, before Roberto Firmino completed the rout with just two minutes remaining.

4) April 4, 1988 – Liverpool 3-3 Man Utd

Another six-goal spectacular, though this time Liverpool occupied top spot, with the match oscillating back and forth.

Bryan Robson gave United a flying start, scoring within three minutes, before strikes from Peter Beardsley and Gary Gillespie handed the hosts the advantage at the interval.

A 20-yard thunderbolt from Steve McMahon extended Liverpool's lead early in the second period, and Kenny Dalglish's team appeared certain to claim maximum points.

Despite being reduced to 10 men, Robson's deflected effort reduced the gap to 3-2, and United salvaged a point through Gordon Strachan's equaliser with 12 minutes left.

3) March 31, 1979 – Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool

This is frequently regarded as a classic FA Cup semi-final, with the two adversaries meeting at Manchester City's Maine Road venue.

Dressed in all-yellow, Liverpool seized the lead through a superb solo goal from Kenny Dalglish, before Joe Jordan equalized with a downward header.

After Liverpool squandered a penalty, United, sporting their white and black away strip, moved ahead through Brian Greenhoff in the second half.

A youthful Alan Hansen grabbed an equaliser in the closing seven minutes, volleying home from short range following a save by Gary Bailey.

2) October 1, 1995 – Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool

This fixture will also be recalled as the match marking Eric Cantona's return for United, following the Frenchman's eight-month suspension.

For the majority of this encounter, Cantona was overshadowed by Liverpool's Robbie Fowler, who netted twice to put the away side ahead after Nicky Butt's early goal.

However, a foul by Jamie Redknapp on Ryan Giggs allowed Cantona to convert from the penalty spot, beating David James to equalize.

1) January 4, 1994 – Liverpool 3-3 Man Utd

A six-goal thriller that will eternally remain in the memory of any supporter fortunate enough to witness this Premier League battle on that Tuesday night.

With the away side establishing a lead at the summit, Sir Alex Ferguson's team surged to a 3-0 advantage within just 24 minutes, courtesy of strikes from Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs and Dennis Irwin.

Liverpool rallied, and following two goals from Nigel Clough, trailed 3-2 at the interval, with Neil Ruddock thundering home a header with 11 minutes remaining.

Blog / The Greatest 10 Manchester United versus Liverpool Encounters of All Time

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The Greatest 10 Manchester United versus Liverpool Encounters of All Time

10) August 22, 1953 – Liverpool 4-4 Man Utd

9) May 21, 1977 – Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool

8) March 26, 1983 – Liverpool 2-1 Man Utd

7) March 17, 2024 – Man Utd 4-3 Liverpool

6) January 24, 1999 – Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool

5) March 5, 2023 – Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd

4) April 4, 1988 – Liverpool 3-3 Man Utd

3) March 31, 1979 – Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool

2) October 1, 1995 – Man Utd 2-2 Liverpool

1) January 4, 1994 – Liverpool 3-3 Man Utd

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