Now this is a statistic Liverpool supporters will absolutely love!
Manchester United’s trip to Anfield on November 22 could be a piece of history, with the Old Trafford club facing the prospect of visiting their biggest rivals while sitting in the Premier League relegation zone.
Remarkably, this would be the first time United have played Liverpool at Anfield in a league fixture while occupying a relegation position since March 1937.
That’s nearly 90 years ago!
I don’t think even the most optimistic Liverpool supporter could have predicted that Manchester United would be in this sort of position.
Back to March 1937 – United were bottom of the league
The last time this happened was on March 27, 1937.
Liverpool welcomed Manchester United to Anfield with the visitors sitting bottom of the First Division, in 22nd place.
Liverpool weren’t exactly flying themselves, sitting 17th, but they still managed to take all three points with a 2-0 victory.
Alf Hanson opened the scoring after 23 minutes before Fred Howe sealed the win in the final minute.
United eventually suffered relegation that season.
It is quite incredible to think that we have to go back that far to find the last time Manchester United arrived at Anfield in the league while sitting in the relegation zone.
What has happened to Manchester United?
United’s current situation is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
A club that once dominated English football is now fighting to get itself away from the bottom end of the Premier League table.
Their recent run of results has been dreadful, and there are serious questions about the direction of the club.
They have gone nine league matches without a victory, their longest such run since 1984, and former manager Erik ten Hag has even warned that relegation is a genuine possibility.
For a club of Manchester United’s size, that is an extraordinary situation.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are looking to build under Andoni Iraola, and Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace has provided some much-needed confidence after two defeats.
November 22 – Anfield awaits!
The next meeting between these two historic rivals takes place on Sunday November 22, with a 4.30pm kick-off at Anfield.
Liverpool will know that league position means very little when these two clubs meet. Manchester United will undoubtedly be desperate to put things right, and we should never underestimate them in this fixture.
But there is no reason Liverpool shouldn’t be targeting three points.
Anfield should be rocking, and the Reds need to take advantage of United’s struggles.
I would absolutely love to see Liverpool turn up, put in a dominant performance and send our biggest rivals home with another miserable afternoon to remember.
My verdict: What a time to be a Liverpool supporter!
We have witnessed Manchester United spend fortunes, change managers and promise supporters that better days are coming.
Yet here we are, approaching a Liverpool versus Manchester United match with the visitors potentially arriving in the relegation zone for the first time in almost 90 years.
Football really does have a sense of humour!
Of course, we still have to do our job on the pitch. I don’t want Liverpool getting carried away with United’s problems or believing the points are already secured.
But imagine the atmosphere at Anfield if Liverpool can take advantage of this situation.
Let’s make sure November 22 is remembered for all the right reasons. Three points against Manchester United would make it a very happy afternoon indeed!
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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