Two of the greatest teams in the history of English football, Liverpool and Man United, are set to clash on Monday night at Anfield. No other fixture in the Premier League comes with so much mixed emotions than this. But, out of the 20 teams in the league, what makes this specific fixture stand out? Pull your seats forward, I am about to tell you a beautiful story.
The cold socio-economic war
In the 18TH century, the city of Manchester was famous as a notable representative of the northern side of England. The city of Liverpool, on the other hand, operated mainly as a sea port, which played a crucial role in England’s economic and social growth. Liverpool then grew to become more developed economically and socially than Manchester, and was even known as the British Empire’s second city, something that did not go down quite well with Manchester.
The SS Mauritania docks at the port of Liverpool in the 18th century 
In 1894, Manchester completed the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal (pictured below) which was funded by Manchester merchants. This entire project had been met with stiff opposition from politicians in Liverpool, who sensed malice in its construction.
After the construction of the canal, Manchester became the main hub of shipping activities, consequently limiting Liverpool’s economic and social prowess in the north western part of England. More and more ships started docking in Manchester, hence opening up the region to the outside world. And just like that, one of the fiercest inter-city rivalries in the world of football was born.
The role of the media
The rivalry was then transferred to the media as Liverpool became famous for being the home of The Beatles, one of the greatest bands in the history of music. Liverpool fans were even featured in popular songs such as ‘Fearless’ by the famous Pink Floyd rock band as they sang ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’ And to make things even better for the city, Liverpool FC was also a popular team during that period.
But despite the dominance of the Reds and their popularity at home, Manchester United was a darling of the media thanks to the presence of the likes of the legendary George Best, who made headlines week in week out. And so to neutralize the Red Devils’ presence on the screens, Liverpool FC was strengthened, winning their first league title in 1900/01, as Man United went ahead to win it in 1907/08 season. By the time Man United won their first league title, Liverpool had won it twice already.
That marked the war of words between the two sides as far as the battle for the league title was concerned. Both sides wanted to outdo each other and to date, they have won 38 league titles, 8 European Cups, 3 UEFA Cups, 4 UEFA Super Cups, 19 FA Cups, 12 League Cups, 1 intercontinental Cup, 36 FA Community Shields and 1 FIFA Club World Cup between them. Since their first meeting on April 28, 1894, these two sides faced each other 196 times, with Liverpool winning 65, drawing 52 and losing 79 times to their bitter rivals.
Fans' rivalry
For so long, Liverpool and Man Utd fans have lived like kerosene and water – they do not mix. So deep is their rivalry that the exchange of fists and insults is almost becoming a cliché. Their most recent physical clash was during the quarter-finals of the Europa League at Old Trafford last season when Liverpool won 3-1 on aggregate. Police and stewards had to intervene as the two reds exchanged blows when a Liverpool fan decided to unveil his club’s flag at the opponents area.
Manchester United fans clash with a Liverpool fan (holding a flag) during their Europa League quarter-final match at Old Trafford last season
Another story is told of the late Tony Wilson, who was a TV presenter and a self-confessed Man United fan. Every time he spoke about Liverpool FC on TV, there was a grin of hatred, rolling eyes and utter disgust on his face, regardless of the context of the message. So bad was his hatred for Liverpool that he presented one pre-match programme on the eve of Liverpool’s 1978 European Cup final against FC Bruges, wearing a Bruges rosette. But this did not bring him any luck as the Reds went on to win the final.
The late Tony Wilson, famously known as Mr. Manchester, during one of his TV shows on Granada 
Then there was yet another incident in 1983: his co-presenter Bog Greaves once said this about the late Wilson:
“The favourite phrase I used to get whenever I went to Liverpool – as soon as I got off a train or out of my car – was: ‘Hey, Bob, tell that Tony Wilson he’s a wanker.’'
Greaves also recounts one particular hilarious incident involving Wilson and Liverpool fans. He received a phone call from a Merseyside police department requesting him to inform Wilson that his brand new Jaguar had been found, stolen, in Liverpool. And so, Tony, upon hearing the horrible news, got into the train and left for Liverpool to pick up his stolen car. He safely drove it back to Liverpool but three hours later, Greaves received another call:
''Sergeant Carruthers here again. Can you tell Mr Wilson his car is still here in Eckersley Avenue?''
The scoucers had secretly followed Wilson to Granada (his workplace), stole the car, and parked it at the same spot in the city of Liverpool – again!!! No damages. No lost items. Just mind games.
Managerial rivalry
Both Liverpool and Man United boast of having one of the most storied managers in English football. The former had the likes of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalgish, while the latter boasted of the likes of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson. Initially, the managerial rivalry existed on the low key, but it was further ignited when Alex Ferguson was knighted in 1999 after winning a treble with the Red Devils.
Sir Alex Ferguson and wife Cathy after he was knighted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during
His rise to knighthood irked a section of Liverpool fans, who believed that managers like their very own Sir Matt Bubsy deserved the knighthood way earlier having won five league titles, 2 FA Cups, 5 Charity Shields and 1 European Cup. Bob Paisley, on the other hand, was behind Liverpool’s European dominance having won the league six times, the UEFA Cup one and the UEFA Super Cup once for the Anfield outfit. And to add more salt to injury, the then fearless SAF told reporters that he wanted to ‘’Knock Liverpool off their f***** perch’’ something he achieved in terms of trophy haul.
Players’ rivalry
We see it all the time these two teams clash – and to prove it, Phil Chisnall was the last player to transfer directly between the two sides back in 1964. Yes , no player has crossed from Anfield to Old Trafford or vice versa directly in 52 years! The likes of Peter Bearsley, Michael Owen and Paul Ince did so but indirectly.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerard once took reporters through a tour of his house, revealing different shirts he had exchanged with different players from different teams, but not one with Man Utd. He explained that he wouldn’t want to see a Man Utd shirt in his house.
And then there was Wayne Rooney, who grew up hating Liverpool so much that he had to play for cross-town rivals Everton before signing for Man United. Who doesn’t remember Roy Keane, the scariest man in football who picked up fights with Steven Gerard at the slightest provocation in the midfield? The Evra-Suarez racial incident and handshake snub? The list is endless.
Suarez avoids Evra's handshake during the Man Utd vs Liverpool tie at Old Trafford on February 11, 2012. 
Ex-Liverpool star Jamie Carragher in an argument with Man United's Gary Neville (both retired) in a previous league match
And now, for the 197th time, these two sides will lock horns on Monday at Anfield. This fixture is set to reignite the emotions once again, and when the referee blows the final whistle, there will be something newsworthy just like it has been in the other 196 matches.
WATCH: Liverpool vs Manchester United in words and numbers
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