LIVERPOOL 1 UNITED 3 (1996/97)
The Anfield side went into the match as United’s closest opponents in the Premier League title race, knowing that a win would keep them in the hunt for their first title since the league’s renaming in 1992 But two first-half Pallister headers – both from corners by David Beckham – quickly dashed those hopes, with United ruthlessly lashing out at Liverpool’s weak air defence. An error in judgment by goalkeeper David James allowed Andy Cole to score a third second-half goal, sealing a fourth league title in five years. A delirious public later rubbed salt into the wound with euphoric chants saying: “We’ve won the football championship again, this time on Merseyside!”
LIVERPOOL 1 UNITED 2 (2002/03)
It’s the day Diego Forlan became an immortal Manchester United cult hero. The Uruguayan will probably never have had a goal as easy to score as the one he scored following an error by goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, but don’t let the comedy of this particular moment take you away: it was a essential victory for the Red Devils, en route to an eighth Premier League title. Forlan then netted a second goal to reassure United shortly after his odd opener, ensuring a late goal from Sami Hyppia was small consolation for the hosts. It wasn’t United’s best performance at Anfield but it tasted awfully sweet, given the unusual circumstances.
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