Five memorable days for United at Anfield

Ahead of the latest trip to take on our arch-rivals, we recall five memorable away days that United have enjoyed against the Merseysiders…

Strachan's smoke signals

LIVERPOOL 3 UNITED 3 | FIRST DIVISION | 4 APRIL 1988

United posed problems for Liverpool throughout their period of dominance, especially at Anfield. Here, Bryan Robson got Sir Alex’s United off to the perfect start from close range, only for the champions-elect to hit back with three goals – before the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Colin Gibson was shown a second yellow early into the second half. Game over, right? Wrong. Cue the introduction of Norman Whiteside to ‘enliven’ proceedings. He terrorised the hosts with a rampaging cameo, laying the foundations for a 3-3 draw, the comeback capped by Gordon Strachan’s calm finish and cigar-smoking celebration.

Schmeichel stuns the Kop

LIVERPOOL 1 UNITED 2 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 6 MARCH 1993

Less than a year after a loss at Anfield ended our title hopes, United were back chasing top spot. Liverpool, meanwhile, were struggling under Graeme Souness, but began ferociously, until a 22nd-minute incident which, according to the Press Association, “could prove the decisive moment in the championship race”. When Steve McManaman’s corner fell for Don Hutchison 10 yards out, the Scot cannoned an effort goalwards. Somehow, with under half a second to rearrange his 95kg bulk, Peter Schmeichel parried the ball to safety. United went on to win 2-1, with Alex Ferguson hailing, “one of the best saves I’ve ever seen”.

Pally’s double

LIVERPOOL 1 UNITED 3 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 19 APRIL 1997

"You’ve got to earn the right to be champions and we’ve come to the right place to prove it.” So beamed Ferguson after a decisive away victory, which had the travelling Red Army chanting: ‘We won the football league again, this time on Merseyside!’ A Liverpool win would have put the hosts atop the Premier League table, but such an outcome was never likely from the moment Gary Pallister nodded home a David Beckham corner. Even after John Barnes levelled, Pallister repeated the feat – his first ever brace – and Andy Cole headed into an untended goal to all-but seal title number 11.

He came from Uruguay…

LIVERPOOL 1 UNITED 2 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 1 DECEMBER 2002

Having lost five straight meetings with Liverpool, and nine points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table, United were under immense pressure to win on Merseyside. Despite largely controlling the first 65 minutes, it took a jaw-dropping error from goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek to provide the breakthrough, Diego Forlan tapping home after the Pole let the ball slip through his fingers. The Uruguayan’s second, scored two minutes later, ultimately proved the winner after Sami Hyypia struck back, and Forlan became an immediate cult hero. “I went into the dressing room,” recalled Diego, “and Gary Neville said: ‘Maybe you don’t realise what you have just done, but United fans will never forget you after that.’”

Smash and grab

LIVERPOOL 0 UNITED 1 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 3 MARCH 2007

Sometimes, winning undeservedly makes the victory even sweeter. This was the case at Anfield in 2007. Sir Alex’s vintage 2006/07 side bore no resemblance to the free-flowing unit that had set a devastating pace at the head of the Premier League table all season, and a goalless draw – with 10 men, following the dismissal of Paul Scholes – was a result to celebrate as Liverpool’s dominance amounted to nothing. Instead, that was upgraded in injury-time when Pepe Reina parried Cristiano Ronaldo’s free-kick and substitute John O’Shea swept an unerring finish high into the Kop goal. The sweetest thievery.

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