If you’ve ever stood on the corner of Walton Breck Road outside Anfield or felt the hum of the Stretford End, you know this isn't just about football. It’s tribal.
Liverpool fc vs man united matches are the closest thing English sport has to a heavyweight title fight that never actually ends. It’s been going on since 1894. Back then, United were still called Newton Heath. Liverpool won that first meeting 2-0.
Honestly, that first game set a tone that has lasted over 130 years. It wasn't just a match; it was a "test match" to decide who got to play in the First Division. Liverpool took the spot. United got relegated.
Talk about a bad start to a relationship.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
People love to argue about who’s "bigger." It’s basically the favorite pastime of every North West resident.
As of early 2026, the trophy count is practically a dead heat. Following Liverpool's 2024/25 league title win—Arne Slot's first major haul—both clubs are sitting on 20 English top-flight championships.
Twenty each. It’s almost poetic.
If you include the "plastic" trophies like the Community Shield, United often claim the lead. But if you talk to a Scouser, they’ll point to the six European Cups. United have three. In the eyes of Liverpool fans, that’s where the argument starts and finishes.
But head-to-head? That’s where United fans find their ammunition.
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In 244 competitive meetings, Manchester United have the edge with 92 wins. Liverpool have 82. There have been 71 draws. Even with Liverpool’s recent era of dominance under Klopp and now Slot, United have managed to be a thorn in their side.
That 7-0 and the "Perch"
You can’t talk about liverpool fc vs man united matches without mentioning March 5, 2023.
It was a freak occurrence. A glitch in the matrix. Seven-nil.
Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nuñez, and Mohamed Salah all bagged braces. Roberto Firmino added the cherry on top. It was the heaviest defeat in United's history and Liverpool’s biggest win in the fixture.
But why does it sting so much?
Because of the "perch." Sir Alex Ferguson famously said his greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool off their "f***ing perch." He did it, too. During the 90s and 2000s, United hoovered up 13 Premier League titles while Liverpool went 30 years without one.
The 7-0 was Liverpool’s way of saying the perch had been reclaimed.
The Most Recent Drama (October 2025)
The latest chapter happened just a few months ago, on October 19, 2025.
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Everyone expected Liverpool to cruise. They were at Anfield. They were flying high in the league. United, under Ruben Amorim, were still trying to find their identity.
Then Bryan Mbeumo scored in the second minute.
Anfield went silent. It was that kind of heavy, awkward silence you only get when 60,000 people are collectively holding their breath.
Cody Gakpo—who seems to treat United like his personal punching bag—equalized in the 78th minute. But then, in the 84th, Harry Maguire rose above everyone to head home a winner from a Bruno Fernandes cross.
United won 2-1. It was their first league win at Anfield since 2016.
It proves the old cliché: form goes out the window. You could put Liverpool’s 1980s dream team against United’s 1999 treble winners on a rainy Tuesday, and it would still be a coin flip.
Why Do They Hate Each Other?
It’s not just the football. It’s the Manchester Ship Canal.
In the late 19th century, Manchester merchants were tired of paying high dues to Liverpool’s docks. So, they built their own canal to bypass Liverpool entirely. It hit Liverpool’s economy hard.
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That bitterness moved from the docks to the pitch.
There hasn’t been a direct transfer between the two clubs since Phil Chisnall moved from Old Trafford to Anfield in 1964. Think about that. Over 60 years of "no-fly zone."
Gabriel Heinze tried to force a move to Liverpool in 2007. Sir Alex Ferguson basically told him he’d rather sell him to any other club on the planet. He ended up at Real Madrid.
The Players Who Defined the War
- Mohamed Salah: The undisputed king of this fixture. He’s scored 16 goals against United. He loves Old Trafford more than some United players do.
- Ryan Giggs: The longevity king. 48 appearances in this derby.
- Steven Gerrard: He once kissed the camera at Old Trafford after scoring a penalty. He also got sent off 38 seconds after coming on as a sub in his final game against them.
- Wayne Rooney: A Croxteth boy who played for Everton and United. He was public enemy number one at Anfield for a decade.
Looking Ahead: May 2, 2026
Mark your calendars. The return leg at Old Trafford is set for May 2, 2026.
Currently, the Premier League table is tight. Arsenal and City are leading the pack, but Liverpool are sitting in 4th with 35 points, and United are in 7th with 32.
That May fixture could literally decide who gets Champions League football.
If you're looking to follow the rivalry or understand the next steps for these two giants, keep an eye on these factors:
- The Tactical Evolution: Watch how Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3 system handles Liverpool’s high-pressing wingers. The October match showed that United can be clinical on the break, but they were outshot 18 to 5.
- The Salah Factor: Mo Salah's contract situation is always a talking point. If the May match is his last dance at Old Trafford, expect fireworks.
- The "Perch" Race: If Liverpool win the league this year, they go to 21 titles. They’d be the standalone most successful club in England again. United will do everything to stop that.
The best way to experience this is to watch the "Total Goals" markets. Historically, these games were cagey 0-0 or 1-1 draws. Lately? They've been chaotic. Since 2021, we've seen scores like 5-0, 4-0, 7-0, and 4-3.
Don't bet on a boring game. It rarely happens anymore.
To stay ahead of the next match, check the official Premier League app for ticket ballots at least six weeks before the May 2nd kickoff. If you aren't a member of either club, getting a seat is virtually impossible through official channels, so look into "hospitality packages" if you're willing to pay the premium for a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere.