George Best, pictured in 1968. Source: PA
Liverpool and United’s rivalry has been a kind of eddying game of thrones; while they have dominated the last half-century of English football, their peaks have rarely coincided. In fact, the only time when either succeeded the other as league champions was in a four-year streak between 1963 and 1967, when each won two titles.
Liverpool were defending champions when they went to Old Trafford at the end of the 64/65 season, but their title defence had faltered badly and they were torn asunder by United. Denis Law scored twice with John Connelly scoring a third. It might have been even more embarrassing for Liverpool – they blocked two shots off the line and saw another two United efforts hit the post.
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It says everything you need to know about the ferocity of the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool that even though the two sides have very rarely been on an even keel, it has never lost its edge.
There is usually a clear favourite - whether it s Shankly s Liverpool or Ferguson s United - but whenever the two sides meet, there is a level of bitterness in the air that usually supersedes the surrounding circumstances.
When Liverpool face Manchester United, the derby takes precedence to everything else, and here are six historic clashes which best summarise English football s crown jewel.