Sir Alex's Liverpool Record
Brendan Rodgers will be the eighth different boss to bring Liverpool to Old Trafford during Sir Alex's era.
Here we look at the United manager's record against his opposite numbers from Anfield, home and away:
Kenny Dalglish (I) - Sir Alex won 36%
The manager’s first Anfield adversary was fellow Scot Dalglish and the two displayed plenty of passion in the encounters between the famous foes. A 1-0 victory on Merseyside not long after the United boss replaced Ron Atkinson, courtesy of Norman Whiteside’s Boxing Day winner, set up an unbeaten run against Liverpool until September 1988, when the then champions came out on top at the fifth time of asking. A 4-0 defeat two years later, when Peter Beardsley bagged a hat-trick, was swiftly avenged by knocking Dalglish’s outfit out of the League Cup in a stirring affair at OT.
Graeme Souness - Sir Alex won 20%
The boss came up against another fellow countryman in the shape of Souness with three draws yielded from five clashes. The first-ever Premier League fixture between the rival clubs ended 2-2 but United's maiden visit to Anfield in the new era produced a 2-1 win thanks to Brian McClair’s winner. There was a thriller in 1994 when Liverpool came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3, but United had the last laugh by doing the Double for the first time.
Roy Evans - Sir Alex won 60%
United enjoyed plenty of success against Evans’ Liverpool as the affable Merseysider struggled to outwit his rival in the opposite dug-out. The 1996 FA Cup final win instantly springs to mind, as Eric Cantona’s late volley clinched another Double, and the French striker also made his comeback from suspension in a 2-2 draw against Evans’ side. Consecutive 3-1 triumphs at Anfield in 1997 were particularly sweet with the first one going a long way to clinching another title thanks to two Gary Pallister headers.
Houllier / Evans - Sir Alex won 100%
The short-lived experiment of pairing Evans with French coach Houllier meant only one fixture between the two sides took place during their tenure as joint-managers. It ended in a 2-0 home win for United in September 1998, with Denis Irwin and Paul Scholes on the scoresheet.
Gerard Houllier - Sir Alex won 45%
United's 1999 FA Cup third-round comeback lives long in the memory and Sir Alex won more matches than he lost in his tactical battles with the French coach. Although Liverpool's League Cup final win in Cardiff was disappointing, a 4-0 belting at Old Trafford a month later at least set the record straight.
Phil Thompson - Sir Alex won 0%
It is worth noting that assistant manager Thompson enjoyed two wins out of two whilst taking over the reins for several months due to Houllier’s illness. A 3-1 victory at home preceded a 1-0 triumph at the Theatre of Dreams, with Danny Murphy scoring the only goal. It was the final game in a five-match winning run against Sir Alex’s team.
Rafael Benitez - Sir Alex won 62%
United returned to dominant form in meetings with Liverpool after Benitez’s appointment in 2004. It took nine league matches before the ex-Valencia coach overcame Sir Alex, although a Peter Crouch goal did prove decisive in a 2006 FA Cup tie. The games were usually tight, eight in a row failed to see both teams score, but United often held the upper hand with John O’Shea’s injury-time strike a highlight. Sir Alex's men did lose three on the trot but won the final clash with the current Chelsea interim coach, 2-1, with Ji-sung Park heading the winner.
Roy Hodgson - Sir Alex won 100%
The England manager’s short spell in charge on Merseyside meant there was only one game during his tenure. It ended in a memorable 3-2 victory with Dimitar Berbatov becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in the fixture for United since Stan Pearson in 1946.
Kenny Dalglish (II) - Sir Alex won 40%
The decision to replace Hodgson with club legend Dalglish reignited the rivalry between the pair. Plenty of water had passed under the bridge since their initial battles in the 80s but the fact the Liverpool man’s first game in charge was at OT in the 2011 FA Cup allowed the press to enjoy a field day. Ryan Giggs’ early penalty proved decisive but the boot was on the other foot a year later when Dirk Kuyt’s effort dumped United out of the competition. Wayne Rooney then scored both goals in a 2-1 triumph to ensure Dalglish didn't enjoy a superior head-to-head record second time around.
Rodgers - Sir Alex 100% so far
Brendan Rodgers’ introduction to one of the most famous rivalries in football was typically tempestuous. Although the two managers conducted an interview side-by-side beforehand and there were poignant scenes marking the memory of those who lost their lives at Hillsborough, the match itself was controversial. Jonjo Shelvey was sent off and gestured towards Sir Alex on the touchline but Liverpool still drew first blood through Steven Gerrard. Thankfully, Robin van Persie’s penalty won it after Rafael’s superb equaliser set up the chance of a first league double against the Merseysiders since 2007/2008.
Sir Alex's head to heads*
Kenny Dalglish (May 85-Feb 91)
P11-W4-D4-L3
Graeme Souness (Apr 91-Jan 94)
P5-W1-D-3-L1
Roy Evans (Jan 94-Jul 98)
P10-W6-D2-L2
Houllier / Evans (Jul-Nov 98)
P1-W1-D0-L0
Gerard Houllier (Nov 98-May 04)
P11-W5-D-2-L4
Phil Thompson** (Oct 01-Feb 02)
P2-W0-D0-L2
Rafael Benitez (Jun 04-Jun 10)
P13-W8-D1-L4
Roy Hodgson (Jul 10-Jan 11)
P1-W1-D0-L0
Kenny Dalglish (Jan 11-May 12)
P5-W2-D1-L2
Brendan Rodgers (Jun 12-)
P1-W1-D0-L0
*Does not include Charity Shield games.
**Thompson was caretaker during Houllier's absence through ill health.
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