Liverpool take on Premiership table leaders and the English, European and World Champions Manchester United at Old Trafford, having beaten the Red Devils earlier this season 2-1 at Anfield Road.
If Liverpool beat Manchester United, they will join Arsenal as the only team to have completed three double victories over Man Utd in the Premiership era. Then there’s the small matter of the title race, of course. On the flip side, if United win (or rather, avoid defeat), their game in hand and lead on their rivals (with 10 games to go) will give them enough room to win their third consecutive Premier League for the second time in 11 seasons.
Suffice to say it’s going to be a big game with a lot riding on it (not just for Liverpool and Manchester United but also for Chelsea). But while we wait for the game (and for those of you who can’t watch it in person, live on TV or watch it online, you can catch Victor’s Manchester United v Liverpool liveblog), there are some interesting stats to look at in the build up:
#1 How many teams have done the ‘double’ against Manchester United since the Premier League started?
Winning home and away against Manchester United within Premier League season (since 1992/1993)
| Season | Club | Home | Away |
| 2007/2008 | Manchester City | 1-0 | 1-2 |
| 2006/2007 | West Ham United | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| 2006/2007 | Arsenal | 2-1 | 0-1 |
| 2005/2006 | Blackburn Rovers | 4-3 | 1-2 |
| 2004/2005 | Chelsea | 1-0 | 1-3 |
| 2001/2002 | Arsenal | 3-1 | 0-1 |
| 2001/2002 | Liverpool | 3-1 | 0-1 |
| 2000/2001 | Liverpool | 2-0 | 0-1 |
| 1997/1998 | Arsenal | 3-2 | 0-1 |
| 1993/1994 | Chelsea | 1-0 | 0-1 |
United won the title in 00/01 but lost it to Arsenal in 01/02. They’re nailed on by most pundits to win it this season, Liverpool double or no double. Rafa will be able to throw a major wrench in the works if Liverpool win though.
#2 How many times has Manchester United done the double over Liverpool?
I only have the numbers from the 93-94 season onwards, but it makes for interesting reading:
Manchester United winning home and away against Liverpool within Premier League season (since 1993/1994)
| Season | Champions That Season | Home | Away |
| 2007/2008 | Manchester United | 3-0 | 0-1 |
| 2006/2007 | Manchester United | 2-0 | 0-1 |
| 2004/2005 | Chelsea | 2-1 | 0-1 |
| 2002/2003 | Manchester United | 4-0 | 1-2 |
| 1996/1997 | Manchester United | 1-0 | 1-3 |
I’m sure someone can pull out the all-time football league stats and give us the exact numbers, but for now, it’s United 5, Liverpool 2 in the ‘double’ stakes and Liverpool play Manchester United on Saturday 14th March, with the title, the title race and bragging rights all on the line.
And as much as I’m backing United to win the title, I wouldn’t put money on an outright United win just yet.
What do you think? Can Liverpool do the Double over United?
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