#CultClashes – 5-goal thrillers among Liverpool v Man United moments
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They might not be living up to their billing as the country’s two biggest football clubs at present but there are still fewer bigger games in the Premier League than Liverpool v Manchester United.
The bitter rivals face off once again this weekend after both featuring in pulsating 3-3 draws in the midweek round of fixtures.
This should make for another thrilling encounter but will Sunday’s early afternoon kick-off be able to stand up to these #CultClashes?
Manchester United 2-2 Liverpool – October 18 1992
Graeme Souness’ Reds arrived at Old Trafford seeking a first away win in the Premier League and looked to have secured just that as goals from Don Hutchison and Ian Rush put the visitors in cruise control.
However, Mark Hughes struck 12 minutes from time to set up a tense finish and the Welshman netted again in the final minute to secure a memorable comeback draw.
United went on to lift a first league crown in 25 years, while Liverpool languished in sixth.
Liverpool 3-3 Manchester United – January 4 1994
Two years later it was the Merseyside club that earned a famous draw after goals from Steve Bruce, Ryan Giggs and Denis Irwin had United 3-0 and gloating within 23 minutes.
Nigel Clough had the comeback up and running within two minutes of the restart and had reduced the deficit to just one by the 38th minute.
The half-time break came at just the right time and United looked to have settled back into the groove before the unlikely figure of Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock popped up for a rare goal in the 79th minute to send the Kop into raptures.
Liverpool 1-3 Manchester United – April 19 1997
As “squeaky bum time” approached Liverpool hosted United knowing a win would put them top of the league ahead of a vital run-in.
Defender Gary Pallister hadn’t read the script though and put the visitors ahead inside 13 minutes only for John Barnes to allay Anfield’s fears six minutes later.
Pallister was undeterred, however, and struck the second of a memorable brace just before half time.
Andy Cole ended any hopes of a Liverpool comeback just after the hour to put United five points ahead – a lead that would prove insurmountable as they went on to lift the title again – with the reds eventually finishing fourth.
Liverpool 2-3 Manchester United – September 11 1999
With five goals, ‘keeper howlers and a brace of own goals ensure that this game sticks out in the memories of most.
Gerard Houllier was the Liverpool manager this time round hoping to get one over on Fergie but with Jamie Carragher putting through his own net within three minutes it looked like a long afternoon awaited the Frenchman.
Andy Cole doubled the lead 15 minutes later but United’s very own calamity ‘keeper Massimo Tiabi handed the Reds a reprieve when flapping at a free-kick to allow Sami Hyypia to reduce the deficit.
However, another oggy from Carra, completing a unique brace, put United back in the driving seat.
Patrick Berger pulled one back before Andy Cole saw red but United managed to hold on through some unlikely heroics from Taibi in probably his finest few minutes as a United man.
Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool, March 14 2009
After leaving Anfield to join the Chelski revolution Fernando Torres is now a divisive figure among Liverpool fans but he was rarely better in red than on this sunny March afternoon.
Cristiano Ronaldo had the hosts in front after converting a 23rd-minute spot-kick but that was as good as it got for United, with Torres making a fool of Nemnja Vidic all afternoon.
The Spaniard equalised in the 28th minute before Patrice Evra brought down Steven Gerrard in the box and the Liverpool captain duly obliged.
Vidic’s torrid afternoon was compounded when he got his marching orders for bringing down Gerrard 15 minutes from time and Fabio Aurelio’s brilliantly-curled free-kick put the game beyond doubt.
Andre Dossena rubbed salt into the wound minutes later as the late substitute lobbed Edwin van der Sar to complete the rout.
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