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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
The next time Celtic plays the team formally known as Rangers I will not be at all surprised if someone ends up being killed. The build-up will be so intense leading up to and during the match (due to time past between matches) it won't take much for things to kick-off and turn real ugly, real fast. So much so, it will make Old Firm matches of late seem rather tame. The sad thing is what I typed above is a real possibility.
AZ_RBB
Guest
There was a Lisbon derby last night as well! haha...... just for the record Sporting beat Benfica
agga78
Guest
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. that would be the old fim derby, no English match is within 1000 miles of Celtic vs Rangers even players from the top English clubs wil tell you there is nothing like the old firm, it atcually laughable that someone would even consider anything else, for passion, atmosphere and downright hostility towards each other the old Firm is just on a whole other level. Even though there has not been an old firm derby for a year make no mistake the next match wheather that be in the cup or league will be an atmosphere unmatched in the world, now the quality of the football might not on the EPL level, but it doesn't matter because the quality of atmosphere in Scotland is a 1000 times better than in England. If you see anthing like this in Liverpool Man U game come back to me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbaP8RHDTgo
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Agree hardcore. 'biggest rivalry ' is a very subjective concept, that can even, in some rare cases, change with time. So its a bit risky to give to a single match up the 'biggest rivalry' tag. Pompey v Southampton is the biggest rivalry on the south coast. Is it less intense than Man U v Liverpool? Not sure at all tbh, at least not on the south coast.
AlexThanopoulos
Roar Rookie
that's 2 more than last week I think. Actually for some reason I thought el clasico was this week.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Derbies everywhere? Just one in the north-west, and one in north London as far as I can tell.
AlexThanopoulos
Roar Rookie
Cleverly is not good enough to demand a starting spot at United. Kagawa needs a run and can really play. Derbies everywhere this Sunday. Bring on the black coffee on Monday morning...
AlexThanopoulos
Roar Rookie
Always a battle, regardless of Liverpool's lack of consistent challenge for the League. Think it falls being the Manchester Derby and Chelsea these days in terms of importance for the league, however importance to the United faithful it still is very much in line with the Derby. Also like the fact that there was an article written on Liverpool v United that didn't mention the SAF 'perch' comment....
Sawyer
Roar Rookie
How was joining Man Utd not smart? He took a once in a lifetime opportunity to manage one of the best clubs in the world. No offence to Everton, but how much more would he have realistically been able to do at the club, even with the fantastic team they've got? As for being in Fergie's shadow - how could he not? No manager in the world could have taken the role without being in the shadow of a man that's been at the club for over 25 years and won so much.
Sawyer
Roar Rookie
Agreed. If the fans on George St are anything to go by it's definitely a game for the plastics. Much more interested in the North London derby tbh - at least it's between two teams that have a realistic chance of finishing above each other.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
One way to determine the impact of a rivalry is the effect the game has on neutrals. As a neutral this game is of interest, but not one I was checking the calendar in advance for.
AZ_RBB
Guest
when you enter a profession you always dream of reaching the top. Managing Man Utd is exactly that. He had already created a great legacy at Everton so naturally wanted to test himself at a bigger club.
Legro
Guest
I can never understand why Moyes left everton, he's a good manager who I think is capable of great things. But the decision to join man utd, was not very smart. the team he has built at everton was beginning to bear its fruits, and I think if he has stayed and continued his tenure while making smart buys, He could have created a great legacy for himself and the club. Now he's just a fill-in who'll be forever in the shadows of ferguson.
Ultras Will Never Die
Guest
The problem with this rivalry is that both clubs never vs each other when at their peaks, Liverpool is a shadow of its former self a club that can't attract big players and managers. 'biggest football rivalry in the UK'? Surely the Celtic VS Rangers rivalry one that transcends sport based on politics, sectarianism and historic events at home and across the Irish Sea would be the biggest football rivalry in the UK.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
Surrey's favourite club v a club that hasn't won a title in decades? Naah. I'd argue that the biggest rivalry for most, if not all fans, is the one between your own club and their local rivals.
AZ_RBB
Guest
if Kagawa doesn't start this match I will be concerned about his place at Man Utd. i know much like Mata he played half a dozen internationals so his off season was over before it even started. but he hasn't played a competitive fixture in nearly 10 weeks now and there have been no reports of injuries as far as i'm concerned. i find it hard to believe the player who was the best in the Bundesliga not long ago and played brilliantly for Japan in the off season can't get a place in United's starting lineup. Statistically Cleverley had a great match against Chelsea with most completed passes and highest percentage as well as providing a great screen for the back 4. But in terms of effectiveness in attack he was non-existent. Hard to push him out of the starting team but i'm confident Kagawa will provide much more in terms of attack. On paper Man Utd are obviously far superior. But this tie always throws up a surprise. Liverpool fans will have even more reasons to hate Moyes now that he has managed their two most despised clubs. Sunday night will be huge. Madrid play at 8pm with all that transfer drama surrounding what seems like half their team. Followed by this match and then the North London Derby. All of the intrigue will be magnified by the fact that the transfer window will close 24hrs later.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Fixed, thanks.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
I think the fact Liverpool and Utd haven't really been seriously fighting it out for the title for 20 odd years might have affected the atmosphere somewhat but its still absolutely massive.The Glasgow Derby(when it existed)basically went a huge way to deciding where the title went EVERY year,plus the other obvious hatred between the two.
Vas Venkatramani
Guest
Excellent piece Adrian. The game however is being played at Anfield, not Old Trafford. Liverpool's loss of Kolo Toure has seen this match swing into Utd's favour. Both Agger and Skrtel need to be wary of the build up play that occurs behind Van Persie, and they need Lucas to boss the midfield against Carrick, Kagawa and a possibly deeper lying Wayne Rooney. Sturridge has been excellent so far, but he needs support from Coutinho and Aspas as genuine goal scoring options. Utd's weakness is in their defence, so goals are on offer this game. My tip is 1-1 (Coutinho, Van Persie)
FTR
Guest
United-Liverpool is just a bit meh these days. If you want atmosphere, it's Glasgow; if you want quality, it's probably the Manchester derby.