Punches, kicks and rants – every Liverpool v Man Utd red card from Prem battles
Sir Alex Ferguson once said he wanted to “knock Liverpool off their f***ing perch” – but at times the reds of Manchester and Merseyside have looked more focused on knocking each other out.
Erik ten Hag’s beleaguered Manchester United travel down the M62 this weekend to face Jurgen Klopp’s title chasers. While United managed to finish above Liverpool last season and even win the League Cup, they suffered an infamous 7-0 defeat at Anfield, and now a huge 10-point chasm has opened up between the two ferocious rivals.
However, as is always the case with hotly contested rivalries, form goes out of the window as both sides do everything they can to channel every aggressive impulse in their body. Considering this fixture has often boiled over into a mosh pit of fierce tackles, punches and the kind of language which would never be accepted before the watershed, Daily Star Sport looks at all 17 red cards to be handed out when the two behemoths of English football have faced one another in the Premier League down the years.
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Michael Owen – 1998
Michael Owen made history by becoming the first player to be sent off in a Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool, after first being booked for kicking Red Devils goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. Just minutes after scoring to make it 1-1 at Old Trafford, the then-England boy wonder earned a second yellow card and Sir Alex Ferguson’s ire with a "terrible" lunge on Ronny Johnsen, which saw the United defender carried off on a stretcher.
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Denis Irwin – 1999
The first Manchester United player to be sent off in a Premier League game between the pair, Irwin received two yellow cards, the first for a late challenge on Steve McManaman, and the second coming from needlessly kicking the ball away. He argued it was a mistake, but was suspended and missed the 1999 FA Cup Final.
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Andy Cole – 1999
After scoring in the first-half at Anfield, United goal machine Andy Cole was sent off for two bookable offences with 20 minutes to spare. His second booking came when he petulantly lashed out and kicked Liverpool defender Rigobert Song – luckily for him, United still went on to win 3-2.
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Luke Chadwick – 2000
He’s one of the nicest guys in football, but Luke Chadwick was the first player to be shown a straight red card in the famous fixture in the Premier League era. The midfielder hauled down Vladimir Smicer when he was through on goal, but it proved to be in vain as Liverpool went on to win 1-0 at Old Trafford.
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Danny Murphy – 2001
After scoring a winning free-kick at Old Trafford one year previously, Danny Murphy was sent off for two silly yellow cards against the Red Devils, fouling Nicky Butt and Denis Irwin. Fortunately for him, Liverpool still ran out 2-0 winners during a winning run for Gerard Houllier against Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Sami Hypia – 2003
After Ruud van Nistelrooy was sent bearing down on goal for United after only five minutes, Liverpool’s Sami Hyypia brought him down. Not only did he concede a penalty, but Van Nistelrooy’s tumble ensured the Finnish defender was also immediately sent packing by Mike Riley. United went on to batter the Merseysiders 4-0.
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Wes Brown – 2005
With United holding onto a slender 1-0 lead at Anfield, Ferguson would have wanted his side to keep things tight. However, Wes Brown decided he’d had enough of John Arne Riise – the player he later confessed "annoyed him the most" – and decided to wipe the Norwegian out with a reckless challenge, while on a yellow card. Unsurprisingly, he was sent packing, yet United managed to hold onto their lead and win.
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Paul Scholes – 2007
Hundreds of years of ginger people trying to prove they’re not feisty wasn’t helped here by Paul Scholes. The red headed genius completely lost his rag with Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso and suddenly threw a punch towards the Spaniard. Scholes’ punch missed the midfield virtuoso, but he was immediately red carded. Somehow, a late goal from John O’Shea secured a 1-0 victory for the Red Devils at Anfield,
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Javier Mascherano – 2008
Javier Mascherano shot off like a greyhound to question referee Steve Bennett for booking Fernando Torres, with Liverpool 1-0 down at Old Trafford. Incredibly, the Argentina midfielder was given a second yellow card for doing so – after the FA had appealed that week for greater respect for officials after Ashley Cole’s insolence to Mike Riley for Chelsea at Tottenham. "I do not know why I was sent off," Mascherano said after the game. United went on to win 3-0 after a raging Mascherano had to be escorted off the pitch by manager Rafael Benitez.
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Nemanja Vidic – 2008
After elbowing Xabi Alonso, United’s defensive rock Nemanja Vidic was given his marching orders at Anfield. This would prove to be the start of an extraordinary run of red cards for the Serbian against Liverpool – and here the Merseysiders went on to win 2-1.
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Nemanja Vidic – 2009
We are only halfway there – Vidic endured what may have been his worst ever game for United in 2009. Torres took him for a merry ride at Old Trafford in a 4-1 win for Liverpool. Vidic let his frustration boiled over when he scythed down Gerrard to get a straight red card – to make matters worse, Fabio Aurelio curled in the resultant free-kick.
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Nemanja Vidic – 2009
Vidic made history when he became the first player to be sent off on three consecutive matches in the fixture – this time he received a second yellow card for fouling Dirk Kuyt to prevent a goalscoring opportunity at Anfield, as Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners.
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Javier Mascherano – 2009
Soon after Vidic was sent off, Mascherano joined him down the tunnel for a reckless and late foul on Edwin van der Sar. As he needed to be in 2008, the fiery Argentina midfielder was led off the pitch, but that day Liverpool had the last laugh.
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Jonjo Shelvey – 2012
Jonjo Shelvey’s reputation for being a fierce tackler and hothead was built upon the two footed challenge he clattered Jonny Evans with in 2012. The referee barely hesitated before he sent the ex-England international off. Incredibly, Shelvey has since said he told Sir Alex Ferguson: "it’s your fault I got sent off." United won 2-1.
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Nemanja Vidic – 2014
In fairness to the Serbian, it had been nearly five years since he was last red carded against United. Vidic saw red after accumulating two yellows, with the second coming after he brought down Daniel Sturridge in the penalty area. Liverpool went on to win 3-0 at Old Trafford, in what proved to be Vidic’s last ever match against Liverpool.
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Steven Gerrard – 2015
Gerrard was determined to make an immediate impact when he came on from the bench in 2015. After crunching Juan Mata with a firm, but fair, tackle, he then beat Ander Herrera to a loose ball. However, pumped up and full of aggression, he stamped directly on the Spaniard’s leg. The referee saw it and sent him packing after barely 40 seconds on the field.
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