Watch: Liverpool extend United’s title drought, Beardsley’s hat-trick

Ian Watson

Beardsley, Babel and Riise: Enjoyed glory against United

Relive five of Liverpool’s best home wins over Man Utd, featuring hat-tricks from Beardsley and Kuyt as well as the Red Devils’ title misery in 1992.

On Friday, we’ll recall five of Manchester United’s best away successes at Anfield, but for now, Liverpool supporters can enjoy today’s little trip down Memory Lane….

Liverpool 4 Man Utd 0 – September 16, 1990

Liverpool were in sublime form, with the champions having won their opening eight games of the season. United were FA Cup winners, but despite an encouraging start at Anfield, they were swept aside by Kenny Dalglish’s men.

Two goals from Peter Beardsley and a header from John Barnes gave Reds a 3-0 half-time advantage, before Beardsley wrapped his hat-trick in the second half to seal the hosts biggest win over United in 65 years.

 

Liverpool 2 Man Utd 0 – April 26, 1992

United were looking for their first title in 25 years but after a late-season collapse, their misery was confirmed when they went to Anfield in need of a win to keep their Division One championship hopes alive.

The writing was on the wall when Ian Rush opened the scoring on 12 minutes – his first ever goal against the Red Devils in 11 years.

Mark Walters bundled in a rebound in front of the Kop with three minutes remaining as Anfield rejoiced in their rivals’ misery, with Leeds United confirmed as champions.

The game was the final top-flight game screened live on ITV’s The Big Match, who also had a camera at Lee Chapman’s house, where the striker was joined by Eric Cantona, Gary McAlister and David Batty to celebrate Leeds’s title triumph. It was certainly no party at Jamie Vardy’s…

 

 

Liverpool 3 Man Utd 1 – November 4, 2001.

Liverpool made it four wins on the trot against United with an impressive display that is best remembered for John Arne Riise’s ‘howitzer’, as it is described on the commentary.

Michael Owen rolled in the opener before Riise leathered one past Fabian Barthez to give the Reds a two-goal half-time advantage.

David Beckham pulled one back before Barthez went walkabout on a long-throw, allowing Owen to nod in a simple third to inflict a second successive defeat upon the champions.

Liverpool 2 Man Utd 1 – September 13, 2008.

It all started so well for United, who took the lead after only three minutes when debutant Dimitar Berbatov teed up Carlos Tevez to silence the Kop. Then Liverpool took over to earn Rafael Benitez his first win over the Red Devils since he took over in 2004.

The dominant nature of their performance was all the more impressive given it was achieved with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres on the bench.

Edwin van der sar and Wes Brown contrived to hand Liverpool an equaliser in the first half before, with 13 minutes remaining, Javier Mascherano robbed Ryan Giggs to set up Ryan Babel for the winner. There was still time for Nemanja Vidic to collect one of his four red cards he received against Liverpool.

Liverpool 3 Man Utd 1 – March 6, 2011.

United topped the table by three points and they were looking to extend that advantage at Anfield. But without Vidic or Rio Ferdinand, they were given the run-around by the hosts, with Dirk Kuyt becoming the first player since Beardsley in 1990 to score a hat-trick against the Red Devils.

Luis Suarez had a hand in all three goals, with fellow Reds new boy Andy Carroll sent on from the bench by Kenny Dalglish for his debut.

The clash was also memorable for some lenient refereeing, with Jamie Carragher somehow avoiding a red card for a crude lunge on Nani, while Rafael also escaped when he took retribution against Lucas.