25/10/2009 18:14 - ManUtd.com, Steve Morgan
Red rivals: The 2000s
Head-to-head, Liverpool actually had the better of United in the 2000s - their 2-0 win on 25 October 2009 tipping the balance in their favour over 23 games in all competitions. But when you compare silverware, it's a very different story...
Decade head to head
League: P20 W10 D2 L8
FA Cup: P1 W0 D0 L1
League Cup: P1 W0 D0 L1
Charity Shield: P1 W0 D0 L1
Overall: P23 W10 D2 L11
The United fan Pete Boyle
“Although Liverpool spoilt the party by defeating us a few times at Old Trafford, and beating us in the League Cup final in Cardiff in 2003 and even winning the European Cup again in 2005, the claim to be ‘back on their perch’ rings a bit hollow, as the number of their title-less years could move to 20 this season. The nightmare of that day in March at Old Trafford last season [the 4-1 home defeat, 14 March 2009] was somewhat eased by lifting the title for the third year in succession and equalling Liverpool's record of 18 league championships.
“The parallels between United’s great teams – at times – in the 1980s that couldn’t find the consistency required to lift the title – and were incapable of sustaining a challenge if Bryan Robson was out injured – are so similar to Liverpool’s reliance on Steven Gerrard, it’s untrue. As much as I hate Liverpool, I do have a grudging respect for what the club achieved during the 1970s and 1980s. I’m always proud that we achieved bigger crowds though, despite their success!”
The Liverpool fan Nick Moore
“It has to be Liverpool 3-1 United: 4 November 2001. An incredible atmosphere, two typical Michael Owen goals and a brilliant Riise blockbuster free-kick – he’d just signed and looked absolutely mustard (which sadly turned out not to be true). The terrible ‘John Arne Riise (ooh, aah) I wanna know how you scored that goal!’song was chanted with much vim all afternoon. It was pretty cheesy but it certainly annoyed the United fans. Also, we’d won our cup treble the year before and there was a feeling Gerard Houllier’s team was about to come good in the league.
“This turned out to be nonsense, but it felt nice at the time. You need hope – like in the League Cup final win in 2003. United were all over us but Jerzy Dudek pulled off loads of great saves. While the 1-0 win at Old Trafford the following season [24 April 2004] was satisfying (Danny Murphy’s goal derailed United’s league push that year), it’s always great to beat your biggest rivals in a final."
Quote:
Reds still reign supreme
Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates after guiding United to league title 18 - the same number won by Liverpool. Now the race for 19 will take us into a new decade...
Honours
United: League titles 6 (2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009), FA Cups 1 (2004), League cups 2 (2006, 2009), Charity/Community Shields 3 (2003, 2007, 2008), European Champions Leagues 1 (2008), Club World Cups 1 (2008)
Liverpool: FA Cups 2 (2001, 2006), League Cups 2 (2001, 2003), Charity Shields 2 (2001, 2006), European Champions Leagues 1 (2005), UEFA Cups 1 (2001), European Super Cups 2 (2001, 2005)
Title ticker: United 18, Liverpool 18
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