It still matters when Liverpool takes on Manchester United
Is Liverpool versus Manchester United still a big match?
Typically hyped as one of world soccer's biggest games, this long and storied rivalry has so many chapters. Manchester United owns the record for titles as English champion with 20, Liverpool is second with 19, and fully in the mix to potentially draw even with United this season.
Liverpool has been named champion of Europe six times, United only three, but it's still the second-most of any English club. If you look at major trophies (champions of England, champions of Europe, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Europa League, Super Cup, FIFA World Club Cup), Liverpool has won 69 trophies, United 67, then there is a massive gulf to third: Arsenal with 48, then Chelsea and Manchester City with 34 each.
The problem is over the last three decades, rarely have Liverpool or United been on top at the same time.
When Alex Ferguson was running United and they were regularly winning titles in the 2000s, Liverpool was never really in the equation to finish in the top four; Arsenal was the main title rival. But since Ferguson left and Jurgen Klopp built Liverpool into a topof-the-table club, Manchester City has been the main combatant, with Arsenal stepping into the fight this year as well.
Make no mistake, though, this is always the biggest match on the schedule for supporters of both teams and is worthy of being Fubo's game of the week.
While United has looked terrible this season for the most part, their two most impressive games have come against Liverpool. They are the only team this season to keep Liverpool off the scoresheet with a defensive master class at Anfield bringing a 0-0 draw. And three weeks ago in the FA Cup quarterfinal, they knocked Liverpool out 4-3 in extra time in a game in which they trailed twice and were largely outplayed but kept on fighting, equalizing in the 87th minute, then getting a winning goal in the last minute of extra time.
Liverpool supporters would gladly pick this game to win given a choice between that and the FA Cup. Staying on top of the table with three valuable league points is a much greater result as the three-way brawl between Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal for the right to be champions of England is their top priority.
The statistics aptly represent the gulf between the two teams, especially in attack. Liverpool leads the EPL is shots with 572, United is 11th with 413. Liverpool is second in goals scored with 67, United 15th with 40.
Defensively, United has been better, but still, Liverpool has the second-best mark of goals conceded at 27, with nine clean sheets. United has eight clean sheets, but has conceded 40 times, the EPL'S fourth-best record.
This game always means so much, and while United is miles off the title, they would relish the chance to ruin Liverpool's chances to equal their title total, especially on top of knocking them out of the FA Cup.
DOES ANYONE WANT LAST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOT?
Currently it's held by Aston Villa, two points up on Spurs but having played an extra game. But after being spanked by Manchester City, they've won just once in their last four matches. Problem is Spurs have just one win as well in the same span.
You may still want to hold United in contention, but they're 11 points back; even with two matches in hand, it's hard to see them climbing that hill over two teams who would have to collapse.
Villa still has to play Liverpool and Arsenal, but the rest of their matches are against the bottom half of the table for the most part. But they have European competition to distract them, being in the Europa Conference tournament.
Spurs are out of all cups and just have to focus on the league, but play City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
If they can get to fourth spot in May, they play at Liverpool on May 4, then finish against Burnley and Sheffield United, who will both likely be relegated mathematically at that point.
You'd like to think Spurs' lack of European games and their experience in this position will help, but they've been one of the least predictable teams this season. Villa is still quality, but has shown so much inconsistency of late it's hard to guess who to back in this race.
DOES ANYONE WANT TO STAY UP?
From 15th-place Brentford down to last-place Sheffield United, there's a grand total of two wins for the six teams in their last 36 games: one by Burnley and one by Nottingham Forest.
Luton, which has played well but can't seem to get a win no matter what they do, has 22 points, while Forest has 25, Everton 26 and Brentford 28.
Everton and Burnley stands out as the biggest brawl at the bottom of the table.