As the second North West Derby between Manchester United and Liverpool approaches, it’s a good opportunity to take a look at recent results between the two sides, and what’s at stake heading into the 200th match between the teams.
While Liverpool do get plenty of praise for their results against the Top 6 or big clubs in the Jurgen Klopp era, he hasn’t seen a lot of success against Manchester United. Since taking over in October 2015, Klopp has faced the Red Devils four times in the league, ending three of those matches in a draw and losing once, 1-0 at Anfield. There were also two clashes in Europe, as Liverpool bested United in the Europa League Round of 16 in 2016.
Mourinho has managed against Liverpool quite a few times over the years. Since he took the United job before the beginning of the 2016-2017 season, it’s been only draws: Twice last season, once this year. While United do not park the bus at home and tend to play with more width and attacking aspirations,
In general, even in the Post Alex Ferguson era, Liverpool don’t perform well at the Theater of Dreams. Since the famous 4-1 win in 2009, Liverpool have avoided defeat just twice when making the short trip to their rivals home ground: In 2014, thrashing a crumbling David Moyes side 3-0; and last season, in the 1-1 draw. The Europa League match between the two sides at Old Trafford ended in a 1-1 draw as well.
United are a fantastic home team, with 11 wins in 14 matches, conceding just 6 goals. Liverpool are the second best away side in the Premier League (behind only Manchester City), with 8 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats.
The league’s best rivalry is rarely over the title, but it is with plenty at stake this season as well, something that was missing in some of the recent clashes over the years, usually due to Liverpool’s fault. A win for Klopp and his players will mean Liverpool climb to second place with a point ahead. A win for Mourinho’s players gives them a huge boost in their attempt to hold on to second, which is the best anyone can hope for at this point of the 2017-2018 Premier League season.