Steven Gerrard to play Manchester United one last time - but how has the Liverpool captain fared against his team's bitter rivals?

Gerrard has played Manchester United 34 times in all competitions

Tom Sheen
Friday 20 March 2015 16:25 GMT
Comments

Steven Gerrard is off to the US in the summer, to play in Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Back in February, the long-time Liverpool captain played in his last Merseyside derby, with the two teams fighting to a 0-0 stalemate in his 33rd game against the Toffees.

Although not many games can match the passion for that derby, in recent years relations between the two clubs and supporters have thawed, to a point where they are open and friendly.

The same can't be said about Liverpool's relationship with Manchester United.

The match is easily the most anticipated clash in English football, pitting the two most successful teams against each other - with just 32 miles on the M62 separating the two.

But unlike Everton, against who Gerrard has won more than 50 per cent of matches, and scored 10 goals, his record against bitter rivals Manchester United is rather more sombre.

Should he start in what will likely be his last competitive appearance against Manchester United, Gerrard will play for the 35th time.

But he has won just 13 (38 per cent) of those, drawing two and losing 19 (56 per cent).

There have been same famous wins over United, however, including the 2003 Worthington (League) Cup final, where Gerrard scored the opening goal, as well as the 4-1 victory at Old Trafford in 2009 and last season - he scored two penalties in that game in two minutes.

Gerrard scored as Liverpool won the League Cup final in 2003
Gerrard repeated his famous 2009 celebration last season, when he scored two penalties in a 3-0 win at Old Trafford

This season that score was reversed, as Liverpool were trounced 3-0, a result that sparked a complete tactical change by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.

Gerrard has scored nine goals in total - from seven matches - including four penalties, and Liverpool do better when he gets on the score sheet, winning four and drawing one of those five matches. He's been sent off once, in an FA Cup fourth round game in 2011 at Old Trafford that Sir Alex Ferguson's team eventually won 1-0.

Gerrard has won just 38 per cent of his matches against United

It remains to be seen whether Rodgers will start Gerrard for the match, he's missed more than a month with injury, but the Liverpool captain will be hoping to get in a final parting shot on his rivals.

Speaking on Friday, Rodgers said that Gerrard had a crucial part to play between now and the end of the season, despite some opining that they are a better team without him.

"I think it has been really unfair on the boy. This is a guy who has been - and still is - a wonderful player," said Rodgers. "When he was out injured we had people trying to sensationalise a story as to whether he would get in the team or not but Steven was unfit.

"People were trying to write him off when he was not even back fit. Maybe some are trying to make a negative story on him, which couldn't be further from the truth.

"He is now available but I can tell you now - and it may not be the story you want - but he is a guy committed to the team and the football club first and foremost. People are trying to see the team is doing better when he doesn't play but the team was winning when he was playing games.

"Even when he doesn't start he came off the bench the other night and put in a great performance which added a calmness and stability to the team and that is what he will continue to do. He is like any other player, of course he'd like to play, but his support for guys like Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, that are in the team has been fantastic and his support to me as a captain has been incredible.

"He works his socks off and Steven Gerrard, playing or not playing, has unbelievable application and professionalism to his football life and is a wonderful ambassador for this club and a great role model for the players."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in