Liverpool vs Manchester United - the biggest fixture in football?

Ahead of the huge Premier League encounter this weekend, I thought I would take a look at what could feasibly be called the biggest fixture in the sport of football, and the rivalry that surrounds it.

Liverpool. Manchester United.

Over the last forty or fifty years, these two clubs have dominated the sport of football in England, and at times in Europe. Though not from the same city, matches between these clubs have often been described as a local derby. Thirty miles might as well be three.

Of course, world football has many similar fixtures to this: 'El Grando Clasico' between Barcelona and Real Madrid is probably the most famous of those. The Milan derby, Boca Juniors v River Plate, Corinthians v Palmeiras and even the Merseyside derby between Liverpool & Everton are all well-known fixtures in the sport.

Why then should this one match, Liverpool v Manchester United, stand out above the others? Indeed, does it even do so?

For many years there has been a rivalry of sorts between the two cities, Manchester and Liverpool. Many believe that much of this ill feeling stems from the building of the Manchester Ship Canal, which took much trade (and consequently many jobs) away from the people of Liverpool as ships were able to bypass the city with a more direct route to the industries of Manchester. Indeed, the ship has become a symbol of the city of Manchester, and it even appears in the crests of both of their clubs, City and United.

As a consequence of this, it is understandable that people from the cities would take great pride in "getting one over" on the other - and football is a very convenient vessel, fuelled as it is by the passion of the city's inhabitants for their teams. And of course, seeing their respective clubs succeed at the very top of the game would bring the ultimate bragging rights.

Liverpool and Manchester United have exchanged periods of domination in the game - Liverpool frequently swept all before them in the 1970's and 80's, and Manchester United have done the same from the 90's to the present day. Consequently this has made the pair of clubs far and away the most successful in the English league. Manchester United now have more league titles than Liverpool, but the Merseysiders claim more European Cups.

So what does all this mean today? I asked a couple of Manchester United supporters what the rivalry means to them, and this is what they told me:

Mat: "For me it's the one game in the calendar United must win. Extra passion revolves around this fixture, goals are celebrated that little bit more. Having attended one of these fixtures in the league at Old Trafford, I must say the crowd are totally different to the usual crowds at OT. Old Trafford crowds are known for being on the quiet side, but not in this fixture! I was lucky to witness a close United 2-1 win & thoroughly enjoyed it. The sheer pleasure I got as well on my way out the of ground, with all the fans ecstatic & singing - I wanted to have a few beers & go out on the town!"

Shaun: "I think both sets of fans, deep down, appreciate the rivalry between the two clubs. It helps get people excited for the Premier League in general as, especially for Liverpool, immediate neighbours Everton don’t really offer much in terms of a true threat to their standing within the football hierarchy. Both clubs [Manchester United & Liverpool] are a threat to each other. And us United fans aren’t exactly going to chant about Blackburn or Bury are we?"

I can also say, as a Liverpool supporter and semi-regular at Anfield, that Mat's point about the atmosphere at these games being "different" to those at other fixtures is quite accurate. There is just something in the air. The need to win - all thoughts of season objectives put aside for one day, and all that matters, for both sets of fans, is "we must beat them!"

What started as an inter-city trade rivalry has formed the bedrock of a fierce and, importantly, competitive footballing derby. In league games between the pair, both clubs have won precisely 38 home games. Its been that close, and I feel that this only serves to further the reputation of this clash of titans.

So there we have it - a firm basis on local pride in their cities, football teams that have enjoyed large periods of success at the very top of the game, and a highly competitive fixture throughout history. These are just some reasons why this is the definitive match in English football, and will continue to be for some time. Indeed, this is a game that the whole footballing world tunes in to.

Liverpool vs Manchester United. There really is nothing else like it.