Liverpool versus Manchester United used to be English football’s fiercest rivalry. Sunday’s showdown at Anfield pits two teams going in opposite directions.
Liverpool, top of the Premier League and the Champions League, have their sights on equalling United’s record 20 Premier League titles and more. Liverpool have lost to United just once in seven years in the Premier League, and most recently won 3-0 at Old Trafford in September.
United are closer to the relegation zone than the top in another calamitous campaign that has seen the departure of a manager, a sporting director and the exile of one of their leading players.
How have English football’s two most successful teams ended up on such differing paths?
Managerial mistakes
United have been in alarming decline since winning a record 20th title in Alex Ferguson’s final season as manager in 2013. They have not come close to winning another since his retirement. Ruben Amorim is the sixth permanent manager hired in the past 11-plus years.
