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Liverpool, Man U: the greatest football rivalry

29th August, 2013
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Robin van Persie and Manchester United will be desperate for a win against Leicester City.
Roar Guru
29th August, 2013
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1374 Reads

Over the past decade, countless debates have surfaced about what is the biggest football rivalry in the UK, but one game still remains the ultimate footballing occasion.

The counter question, which needs to be posed is why?

Contrasting fortunes of late may have people at loggerheads, but one game still remains the ultimate footballing occasion in Great Britain.

It will recommence this Sunday afternoon (10.30pm AEST), so do not be foolish because you know who it is – Liverpool and Manchester United.

Separated by 30 odd miles and boasting a hostility for one another that reverberates to almost every corner of the globe, it is a clash of titanic proportions, bound by two rich and illustrious histories.

While Liverpool dominated the 70s and 80s, their foes have stormed into the ascendancy.

Since the inception of the English Premier League in 1992, Sir Alex Ferguson guided the team to a remarkable 13 championship crowns.

They now have 20 English titles – two more than their bitter rivals.

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Liverpool sits dormant on 18 domestic league honours, their last success in 1990.

The transitional period under Brendan Rodgers is beginning to bear fruits, as the Northern Irishman tries to guide the club back to the top four picture.

For new Red Devils manager David Moyes the match presents a stern test of his character, having never won a match at Anfield with former side Everton.

If triumphant, it could be a springboard for the coming months of the campaign and on a personal level it is a drought that he will be desperate to break on Sunday.

The Anfield faithful can always point to the five European cups, as opposed to United’s three, with particular fondness.

Prestige aside, it is an occasion that has always provided fireworks – albeit nasty at times – with an intensity hard to replicate in any other match on the planet.

Fracas, vicious tackles, resulting red cards and manager bust-ups are all a part of the theatre.

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For the football purist, sometimes it can be ugly.

The racism row between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez is a delicate subject for both sets of supporters, but Ferguson’s calls to consign it to history last season should be endorsed by both parties.

There is a much bigger matter at hand on Sunday.

Naturally, a match between two football giants will produce engrossing matchups all over the pitch.

It is hard to dismiss the subplot of the league’s two most deadly forwards at either end – Robin van Persie and Daniel Sturridge.

The Red Devils’ marksmen has scored an incredible 76 goals since 2011 – 49 more than any other player in the competition.

Ferguson brought in the Dutchman for a fee of £24 million – at the time viewed by many as a hefty price for a 29-year-old – but every single penny has been repaid.

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Van Persie – if he stays fit – like former Old Trafford star, Cristiano Ronaldo, has the ability to win the title off his own boot again this season.

Having endured eight seasons with former employers Arsenal and not a solitary trophy to show for his efforts, he will be desperate to capture further success with United after his maiden league triumph.

With the pantomime villain Suarez serving the remainder of his 10-game ban, it has prolonged the emergence of Sturridge.

The England international has eight goals in his past seven league appearances, failing to put a foot wrong since his £12 million January move from Chelsea.

The player himself admitted that he’s experiencing an air of confidence on the pitch because he’s not burdened by expectation.

“I’m just enjoying myself,” he told the club’s official website.

“This is what I’ve wanted to do my whole life and now I’m just playing to enjoy the game and not playing with stress.”

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Sturridge is an outstanding talent, who possesses pace, trickery, strength and a deadly left foot.

The 23-year-old has all the qualities needed to become one of the league’s finest finishers, and he will be vital to the Reds’ chances on Sunday.

Whatever starting line ups take the field on Sunday it will mark the 188th meeting between Liverpool and Manchester United.

If you still have your doubts regarding the greatest football rivalry in the UK, take a moment to remind yourself when the teams walk onto the hallowed turf of Anfield.

Absorb the 90 minutes plus added time and you will have a resounding verdict.

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