Heavy Hitters on Show: Liverpool vs. Manchester United Set the Stage at Anfield
19 October 2025
Lineups and stakes for the Derby
The Dutchman Arne Slot and the Portuguese Ruben Amorim announced the starting XIs for Liverpool and Manchester United ahead of the Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday, a match billed as a marquee showdown of the eight round of the season.
Liverpool’s lineup features a feared attacking trio of Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak, and Mohamed Salah, with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal due to the absence of Alisson Becker through injury.
Manchester United’s side fields a midfield pairing of Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes, while the forward line is led by a trio including Amad Diallo, among others, aiming to trouble the hosts.
Here is how each side lined up:
Liverpool: Mamardashvili - Kirkiz - van Dijk - Konaté - Bradley - Gravenberch - Szoboszlai - Mac Allister - Gakpo - Isak - Salah
Premier League
Liverpool
Manchester United
Manchester United: Laminez - Dalot - De Ligt - Maguire - Shaw - Bruno Fernandes - Casemiro - Mount - Amad - Konya - Mobiumo
Ancient grudges
The Liverpool–Manchester United rivalry is one of football’s hottest and most famous clashes, spanning not just the pitch but a long history of sporting, economic, and social tension between Liverpool and Manchester, two cities in northwest England.
The roots go back to the 19th century when Liverpool thrived as a premier port city while Manchester became a booming industrial hub, with Liverpool’s dock system feeding trade that Manchester sought to canalize on its own terms. The 1894 opening of the Manchester Ship Canal intensified intercity competition and laid the groundwork for a rivalry that would later morph into football feuds.
The on-field duel began in the early 1900s, with the first meeting in 1894 in the Second Division. Over the decades, both clubs became symbols of local pride, trading dominance as they collected domestic and European titles across eras.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool dominated English and European football under legends like Dalglish, Rush, and Souness, while United endured a post-Pasby decline, which allowed Liverpool’s fans to swagger about their ‘historical superiority.’
Then Sir Alex Ferguson arrived at United in 1986 with a blunt mission to topple Liverpool’s throne. Over 26 years, he built a golden era that yielded multiple league crowns and European glory, a record that Manchester United would match with Liverpool’s title haul in the most recent seasons.
Significant tension
Derby games between these two giants are legendary for their intensity, on- and off-field. The match is widely regarded as the pinnacle of English football drama, regardless of where the teams stand in the table.
The clashes have delivered defining moments: memorable blowouts, iconic comebacks, and performances etched in fans’ memories. As Liverpool reemerged atop English football and United chased past glories, the rivalry intensified again, proving this fixture rarely disappoints.
Thus, the saga between Liverpool and Manchester United endures as more than a football contest; it’s a clash of histories, identities, and two northern English cities that see football as a manifestation of pride. The encounter remains unyielding in its ferocity and relevance, a raw expression of the essence of English football.
Punchlines for the road: 1) If this derby had a mood ring, it would switch colors every 15 minutes. 2) The only thing more heated than the tempers are the tea kettles back home—because even the kettle knows this match brews trouble for both sides.
