Premier League Big Guns Set for 100th Anfield Showdown

Liverpool vs Manchester United

It’s the biggest match-up in English football and, in the view of this SBOTOP scribe, as big a game as any in the footballing world.

It’s also as big a rivalry as they come.

And given Liverpool and Manchester United are the two most successful sides, by quite a distance, in the country, their meetings need little introduction.

This Sunday will be their 100^th league meeting at Anfield and it’s rarely anything but compelling.

In truth, the two sides could hardly be experiencing more contrasting fortunes right now.

Liverpool are the reigning Premier League champions and have just come off a record summer spending spree of in the region of £430 million – the biggest summer spree in European football history – while Manchester United are in a lowly position with their manager yet to secure back-to-back league victories during his 10 months in charge.

So, who is your money on to produce Premier League 2025 highlights?

Talking Points

The teams are currently sitting second and 10^th in the table respectively.

United have yet to win a league game against an established top flight side this season in normal circumstances with their only victories coming against newly promoted duo Burnley and Sunderland and at home to a Chelsea side who played all bar five minutes of that contest with 10 men.

Liverpool have had no such trouble but have lost their last three games in a row to lose the league leadership and Arsenal, who are now top of the pile, could be four points clear at the summit by the time this one kicks off.

Last-gasp defeats at Crystal Palace and Chelsea, combined with a European loss at Galatasaray, have raised questions about manager Arne Slot.

Their defence has not convinced for much of the early campaign either and, despite being a much stronger attacking outlet than a defender, the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid has weakened them according to some writers and former club midfielder Jamie Redknapp.

They will be at full strength this weekend with the exception of goalkeeper Alisson as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury he picked up in Turkey (he is not expected to return to action until after the final international break of the year in November), although summer recruit Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is no number two.

United are still without two of their key defenders in Lisandro Martinez, who scored in this fixture last season, and Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui.

Bruno Fernandes is confirmed to be fit for Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Liverpool — Bruno Fernandes is available for selection as Manchester United face Liverpool in their Premier League fixture on Sunday

Captain Bruno Fernandes was absent from training on Thursday but reports suggests the skipper was handed an extra day off following games for Portugal during the international break.

Whether from his usual advanced position or the deeper role he has featured so far this season, he remains United’s main man.

Once again, it promises to be compelling with no quarter given as these two heavyweights slug it out.

History

I have covered a fair few of their meetings and one which stands out was an five-goal FA Cup thriller sealed by the magic of Fernandes in 2021.

Overall, United have won 91 of their meetings in all competitions. Liverpool have 82 successes and there have been 71 draws – that’s as close as you would probably expect for the two dominant forces in English football.

Last season this fixture ended 2-2 with Martinez opening the scoring before the hosts hit back with two quick goals via Cody Gakpo and a Mohamed Salah penalty only for United to draw level when Amad Diallo grabbed an equaliser as the sides shared the spoils.

All the goals were in the second half on a bitterly cold January afternoon.

Their very first match is considered a Test Match, presumably the then equivalent of a friendly, when Liverpool defeated the then Newton Heath 2-0 in April 1894 at Ewood Park, Blackburn.

The scorers that day were Patrick Gordon and Harry Bradshaw in the opening half hour.