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Manchester United v Liverpool Special: Kop Legends share their memories of English football's fiercest rivalry
Neal, Kennedy and Fairclough on the Old Trafford bear pit
19 Mar 2010 08:00:00
By Neil Jones | Liverpool Correspondent
Everton fans may not like it, but for Liverpool these days there is one rivalry which stands head and shoulders above the rest. Manchester United's relentless pursuit of the Reds' 18 league titles has added yet more spice to a conflict which has been in full swing for the best part of 40 years, and on Sunday, the Red Devils have the chance to move a step closer to the 19th crown, craved so desperately by both clubs.
As legends at Anfield in the 1970s and 80s, Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy and David Fairclough boast over 800 appearances, and 44 major honours, between them. Goal.com UK caught up with this trio of Liverpool heroes and asked them for their thoughts on English football's most fiercely contested rivalry.
Phil Neal made over 450 appearances for the Reds between 1975 and 1986, scoring over 40 goals from full-back - including two in European Cup finals. He is the Reds' most decorated player of all time.
"I think Liverpool fans now look with more relish towards games against Manchester United than they do Merseyside derbies - no disrespect to Everton. There is certainly a nasty edge to the rivalry between the two clubs now, because United have taken over the mantle, if you like, as the dominant club in the country, and Liverpool are trying desperately to regain it.
"To me, Old Trafford was the same then as it is now, a real intimidating place, and a hard place to go. There was a lot of hostility from the United supporters. As a full-back I perhaps felt that more than most as I would be taking throw-ins etc, and you would feel the passion and hear the obscenities. I suppose it makes it all the sweeter when you win there, and any win at Old Trafford must be treasured greatly."
Alan Kennedy, affectionately known by the Kop as 'Barney Rubble', made history by scoring the winning goal in two European Cup finals, and was on target against Manchester United at Wembley in the 1983 League Cup final. He made more than 250 appearances for the Reds.
"That 1983 final was, for me at least, a game made in heaven. United had a good side then and we were up against it, so it was great to get the equaliser, and then of course Ronnie Whelan won it with a great goal. It was fantastic for the players and the supporters.
"There are certain things, certain incidents you look back on, and [Liverpool goalkeeper] Bruce Grobbelaar's foul on Gordon McQueen - which he could easily have been sent off for - is one that went our way on the day. We got a bit lucky, but we took our luck and deserved our win.
"I can remember going to Old Trafford with Newcastle, and feeling very intimidated by the crowd and the atmosphere. But the more I played there with Liverpool, the more I mellowed towards it - although it was always a very physical game, with no time on the ball and no quarter given. There was a real edge between the two sets of supporters - which boiled over in a few incidents in the mid-1980s I recall, that was out of order - but they were always great, tough games to play in."
David Fairclough spent nine years at Anfield between 1974 and 1983, making 98 appearances. Best known in his role as 'Super Sub', the striker now works for Liverpool FC's official TV channel.
"Games with Manchester United were always memorable, but if I was picking one it would be the game in 1978 when we won 3-0 at Old Trafford and I scored one of the goals. I was being marked by Gordon McQueen that day - a real tough defender - and it was nice to make him look a bit of a mug and score.
"I've actually been back to Old Trafford as a supporter. I was there in 2002 when Danny Murphy got the winner with a lob over Fabien Barthez. I was with a United-supporting friend, and of course when Liverpool scored I managed a stifled celebration. That's the best recent memory I have of Old Trafford."
Everton fans may not like it, but for Liverpool these days there is one rivalry which stands head and shoulders above the rest. Manchester United's relentless pursuit of the Reds' 18 league titles has added yet more spice to a conflict which has been in full swing for the best part of 40 years, and on Sunday, the Red Devils have the chance to move a step closer to the 19th crown, craved so desperately by both clubs.
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As legends at Anfield in the 1970s and 80s, Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy and David Fairclough boast over 800 appearances, and 44 major honours, between them. Goal.com UK caught up with this trio of Liverpool heroes and asked them for their thoughts on English football's most fiercely contested rivalry.
Phil Neal made over 450 appearances for the Reds between 1975 and 1986, scoring over 40 goals from full-back - including two in European Cup finals. He is the Reds' most decorated player of all time.
"I think Liverpool fans now look with more relish towards games against Manchester United than they do Merseyside derbies - no disrespect to Everton. There is certainly a nasty edge to the rivalry between the two clubs now, because United have taken over the mantle, if you like, as the dominant club in the country, and Liverpool are trying desperately to regain it.
Phil of praise | Neal hails United stars
"To me, Old Trafford was the same then as it is now, a real intimidating place, and a hard place to go. There was a lot of hostility from the United supporters. As a full-back I perhaps felt that more than most as I would be taking throw-ins etc, and you would feel the passion and hear the obscenities. I suppose it makes it all the sweeter when you win there, and any win at Old Trafford must be treasured greatly."
Alan Kennedy, affectionately known by the Kop as 'Barney Rubble', made history by scoring the winning goal in two European Cup finals, and was on target against Manchester United at Wembley in the 1983 League Cup final. He made more than 250 appearances for the Reds.
"That 1983 final was, for me at least, a game made in heaven. United had a good side then and we were up against it, so it was great to get the equaliser, and then of course Ronnie Whelan won it with a great goal. It was fantastic for the players and the supporters.
"There are certain things, certain incidents you look back on, and [Liverpool goalkeeper] Bruce Grobbelaar's foul on Gordon McQueen - which he could easily have been sent off for - is one that went our way on the day. We got a bit lucky, but we took our luck and deserved our win.
Barney Rubble | Kennedy was Liverpool's bedrock
"I can remember going to Old Trafford with Newcastle, and feeling very intimidated by the crowd and the atmosphere. But the more I played there with Liverpool, the more I mellowed towards it - although it was always a very physical game, with no time on the ball and no quarter given. There was a real edge between the two sets of supporters - which boiled over in a few incidents in the mid-1980s I recall, that was out of order - but they were always great, tough games to play in."
David Fairclough spent nine years at Anfield between 1974 and 1983, making 98 appearances. Best known in his role as 'Super Sub', the striker now works for Liverpool FC's official TV channel.
"Games with Manchester United were always memorable, but if I was picking one it would be the game in 1978 when we won 3-0 at Old Trafford and I scored one of the goals. I was being marked by Gordon McQueen that day - a real tough defender - and it was nice to make him look a bit of a mug and score.
Super sub | Fairclough had goal pedigree
"I've actually been back to Old Trafford as a supporter. I was there in 2002 when Danny Murphy got the winner with a lob over Fabien Barthez. I was with a United-supporting friend, and of course when Liverpool scored I managed a stifled celebration. That's the best recent memory I have of Old Trafford."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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