Ahead of the Lancashire derby here are the best of the best.
It’s one of the biggest grudge matches in the Premier League this weekend when the two most successful sides in English history – Liverpool and Manchester United – go head-to-head at Anfield.
The Reds have a 100% record this season and look strong under manager Brendan Rodgers, whilst United are having to come to terms with a new man in the dug-out after 26-and-a-half years – with David Moyes replacing the retired Sir Alex Ferguson.
Therefore fanatix decided to look back at who would make the greatest starting XIs for these two illustrious clubs since the new league format started in 1992.
Liverpool:
GK – Reina: The Spaniard won the Golden Glove award for being the best goalkeeper in the league three years running and performed heroics in the FA Cup final in the stopper’s first year at the club.
RB – Carragher: Admittedly the Englishman is usually a centre-back, but Carragher was often deployed at full-back to shore up the defence.
LB – Riise: Revered for an explosive left boot that once broke Alan Smith’s ankle and knee in one fell swoop, but the Norwegian was also a fine left-back.
CB – Henchoz: Alongside Hyypia the Swiss centre-back was the epitome of a no-nonsense defender and the Reds were sturdy with the pairing.
CB – Hyypia: Arguably one of the club’s greatest ever players of the modern era, Hyypia was a stalwart for a decade and was also handy on the end of a set-piece.
RM – Gerrard: Like Carragher this is perhaps not the England captain’s most recognised role, but from the right flank Gerrard was utterly deadly during the mid-2000s.
LM – McManaman: One of Liverpool’s greatest errors was allowing McManaman to leave Anfield for Real Madrid on a free transfer – a fine winger with bagfuls of skill.
CM – Hamann: An important member of the Merseyside club’s side during the early 2000s as the German sat in front of the defence and allowed the creative players freedom.
CM – Alonso: The Spain international is widely regarded as one the greatest passers of the ball in the league’s history and was always likely to leave for a Champions League side.
ST – Owen: After bursting onto the scene as a 17-year-old, Owen progressed quickly by helping the side to League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup victories, before injury plagued the striker’s career.
ST – Fowler: One of the most prolific forwards in Premier League history, Fowler had two stints at Anfield and despite a controversial off-field persona, was deadly in the box.
Manchester United:
GK – Schmeichel: The big Dane was a dominating force behind the United back four and although Edwin Van Der Sar was brilliant, Schmeichel just edges it.
RB – G.Neville: The Englishman was a stalwart during the Ferguson years and was first choice right-back for over a decade.
LB – Irwin: Could operate on either side of the back four but left-back was where Irwin was most comfortable, with the Irishman as good going forward as defending.
CB – Ferdinand: After 11 years at the club Ferdinand has written the defender’s name into legendary status for a calm and slick approach at centre-back.
CB – Pallister: A close race with Nemanja Vidic, but Pallister just gets in for the impact the defender had on the Red Devils’ success of the 1990s.
RM – Ronaldo: The Portuguese superstar now operates as a striker, but initially at United played from the right-hand side and became a truly world-class player.
LM – Giggs: The extraordinary career of Giggs has seen the Welshman play and score in every Premier League season to date and still get into the team now nearly 40-years-old.
CM – Keane: Perhaps the most influential captain United ever had, Keane could sometimes be brutal was undeniably a brilliant player.
CM – Scholes: Revered by many of the best midfielders in world football as their influence – most prominently Xavi – and perhaps the greatest of the Ferguson era.
ST – Cantona: Four titles in five years at Old Trafford says something about the charismatic Frenchman’s influence, before retiring at the top aged just 30-years-old.
ST – Van Nistelrooy: The most prolific striker to have played at the Theatre of Dreams and was the blueprint for a ‘fox-in-the-box’ style forward.
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