The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United

 

One of the toughest rivalries in English football and even in world football is the rivalry between Liverpool football club and Manchester United football club.

There is no love lost between fans, players or leaders of the two giants in club football.

A story about two cities

The origins of this rivalry point to the rivalry of the two cities since industrial times. Liverpool and Manchester เยี่ยมชมแมนยู for supremacy in the north west of England. Manchester was known for its excellent production features, while Liverpool had long been a major city due to the port.

But when the Manchester Ship Canal was built, ships were able to bypass Liverpool to transport goods directly to Manchester. The loss of jobs in Liverpool undoubtedly strengthens the hostilities between the two cities.

On the field

The first match between the clubs was on 12 October 1895, with Liverpool winning 7-1. There have been 152 league matches. Manchester United have won 58, Liverpool 51 and there have been 43 draws.

If anything, off-field competitions between the cities have been deepened by the great successes of the two clubs. Both clubs have had periods of dominance of English football and each of these periods has increased the rivalry between the clubs.

During the 1970s and 80s, Liverpool dominated English football and to some extent European football by winning 11 league titles and 4 European trophies.

The 1990s and onwards have belonged to Manchester United, who also won 11 league titles as well as 2 European trophies.

Significantly in 2009, Manchester United matched Liverpool's long-standing record of winning 18 league titles overall. The team that came in second place was ... Liverpool. The competition between the two teams reached fever during this season. No more proof is required than 'War of Words' between the two club bosses, Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez. The pair traded verbal blows as the season was heading for an exciting climax.

Is this rivalry good or bad?

Well, in a way, the intensity of the rivalry is spreading into deep hatred and irrational disgust not only from fans but also from players and leaders. Sometimes the personal insults thrown at each other seem to go too far.

In another sense, however, you get the feeling that it is this rivalry that really creates the enormous amount of motivation to succeed. Both clubs are determined to be more successful than the other and this seeps through from fans to the players to manager to any person associated with the clubs. It could be argued that none of the clubs would have been as successful as they would have been without this fierce rivalry.

What about the future?

With both clubs on 18 league titles, the 2009/10 draw promises to be the most bitterly controversial ever, as neither team will live with the stigma of being behind in the calculation.