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Jan 3, 2025, 06:34 AM ET

Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday with the fortunes of the two teams about as disparate as they have ever been in the Premier League era, but that doesn't make this weekend's clash a foregone conclusion.

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Ruben Amorim will be hoping the absence of expectation on his United team, added to the storied rivalry with Liverpool, can inspire his struggling charges to a famous away win despite the 23-point gap in the table to Arne Slot and his runaway title favourites.

With the latest instalment in the fierce contest just around the corner, here are five classic encounters from bygone times at the famous Stanley Park ground that should whet the appetite.

Liverpool 1-3 Man United, April 1997Gary Pallister's brace of powerful headers helped Manchester United earn a famous win at Anfield in 1997. John Giles - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

There was no chasm in form or quality when the two sides met at the business end of the 1996-97 season.

Sir Alex Ferguson's United looked likely to claim their fourth crown in the first five seasons of the Premier League, but Liverpool and Roy Evans were very much part of the chasing pack and had a real chance to apply some pressure with a home win in the fourth last game of the campaign.

Unfortunately for Evans and co., they ran into an inspired performance from a certain David Beckham, just weeks shy of his 22nd birthday.

David James failed to claim it, and Cole nodded home to secure the three points and indeed the title -- United would go on to finish seven points ahead of Liverpool who ended up in fourth after a disappointing run-in.

Liverpool 2-0 Man United, January 2020Mohamed Salah's emotive celebration was one of many memorable moments for Liverpool fans in the triumphant 2019-20 Premier League season. Michael Regan/Getty Images

Icy conditions greeted Ole Gunnar-Solskjaer's team at Anfield in the days shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the Premier League (and indeed the world), with Liverpool steaming towards their first title since 1988 after a relentless start to the season that had seen them win 20 of their first 21 games and sitting pretty atop the table.

The only dropped points to that stage had come at Old Trafford, and though a reverse against their old foes was unlikely to derail the coronation for too long, a statement win against them would add to the list of glorious scalps claimed by Jurgen Klopp's men en route to the championship.

It was Liverpool's big stars who delivered: First, Virgil van Dijk leapt above four United players to nod Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner into the top-right corner and settle the unusually nervous atmosphere around their home ground.

The best chance fell to Anthony Martial, who went through on goal only to blast his one-on-one well over Alisson's goal.

It was left to Mohamed Salah to clinch the three points, as the Egypt international and talisman capitalised on United's all-out-attacking approach in the final moments to break free from the defence and roll the ball under David de Gea before tearing off his shirt in front of the Kop End.

Liverpool 3-3 Man United, January 1994Neil Ruddock picks himself up from the Anfield turf after scoring the equaliser for Liverpool in 1994. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The second-ever Premier League game between the two teams at Anfield proved to be a barnstormer as the Reds pulled off a famous comeback to earn a point after a disastrous opening to the game.

United sported an all black kit for the occasion and got off to the ideal start, with Eric Cantona's beautifully weighted pass reaching Steve Bruce at the back post before he headed past Bruce Grobbelaar in the Liverpool net.

Neil "Razor" Ruddock, the centre-back known best for his hardman tendencies and off-field eccentricity, rose highest to nod home a cross from Stig Inge Bjornebye and provoke wild celebrations in the stands and on Graeme Souness' bench alike.

Liverpool 1-2 Man United, March 2015Steven Gerrard was shown a red card in his final ever match against Manchester United for Liverpool. PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

This edition of the famous game between England's two most successful clubs will be much more fondly remembered by United fans than those from the 30 or so miles west in Liverpool -- particularly for acolytes of a certain Steven Gerrard.

Both teams were in the hunt for the top four and Champions League football as the season entered its business end, with Louis van Gaal's team looking to rejoin Europe's elite following the disastrous campaign under David Moyes the year before when Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool had been pipped to the title by Manchester City.

Juan Mata helped United earn an early lead, breaking onto a pass from Ander Herrera before calmly slotting past Simon Mignolet.

Martin Atkinson showed him a red card and United capitalised on the numerical advantage, with Mata executing an acrobatic scissor kick from Ángel Di María's dinked ball to render Daniel Sturridge's later finish a mere consolation.

The win moved United five points ahead of Liverpool, a lead they wouldn't relinquish as they finished fourth.

Liverpool 7-0 Man United, March 2023Roberto Firmino was mobbed by his teammates after scoring the seventh goal in Liverpool's 2023 rout of Man United. John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Erik ten Hag and his team were not long off the back of a Carabao Cup triumph when they arrived at Anfield in early 2023, though their buoyant mood would soon turn to one of utter bemusement.

The first half was a relatively even affair.
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