Let’s take a look back at what is now a stand-out fixture in the football calendar, where there’s history, heroics, and plenty of drama.
Join us as Sportsbreaks.com explores the history, intense fan rivalry and a selection of the unforgettable matches that have defined this fixture throughout the ages.
Manchester City v Liverpool - The Rivalry
With just 35 miles separating the two cities, this fixture has a rich history and is always a one-to-watch for fans. But it wasn’t always the tight top-of-the-table affair it has come to be in recent years…
Manchester City started life under the name St. Mark’s (West Gorton) in 1880, established by the Church in a district of Manchester. They underwent a name change in 1887, becoming Ardwick Association Football Club, and it was not until 1894 that the name Manchester City Football Club was born.
Liverpool FC played its first game in 1892 and won its first league title in the 1900–01 season. The club is a footballing juggernaut and is the most successful English team in European football tournament history. The Reds have also won the English top-division league title 19 times.
The two teams fist went head-to-head for the title in 1976/77 when Liverpool finished one point ahead of their challengers to lift the trophy. The Merseyside team are well clear in the total head-to-head stats, but it’s been a very different spectacle since City’s rise in the mid-noughties.
In recent seasons, the fixture has brought two of the football’s most influential managers, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, together for intense competition. Their rivalry has produced moments of drama and wonder for fans of both sides.
The Early Life of Etihad Stadium
By the early 20th century, the matches between the two had become major events for the local communities.
Manchester City’s move from the historic Maine Road to the state-of-the-art Etihad Stadium in 2003 marked a new chapter in the club’s history.
Initially built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the stadium – then known as the City of Manchester Stadium – boasted a capacity of 41,000, later expanded to over 53,000.
This venue soon became a fortress for City, especially after it was renamed the Etihad Stadium in 2011 following a lucrative sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways. The move signalled Manchester City’s ambitions to become not just a local powerhouse, but a global footballing giant.
Memorable Clashes at the Etihad Stadium
1. August 23, 2010: Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool
An early-season signal of intent from City; this one pitted Roberto Mancini against Roy Hodgson as City came out comfortably on top thanks to goals from Gareth Barry and a brace from Carlos Tevez. City went on to finish third this season, 13 points ahead of the Reds.
2. September 9, 2017: Manchester City 5-0 Liverpool
A rout that featured braces from Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus as well as an opener from Sergio Agüero, this game marked one of the moments of the season as City clinched the Premier League title with a whopping 100 points.
3. July 2, 2020: Manchester City 4-0 Liverpool
The game started with Manchester City applauding new champions Liverpool onto the pitch, but that was where the pleasantries ended as the home side proceeded to dominate in a 4-0 win thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and an own goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
H3: What’s Next?
The fixture remains one of the most anticipated games in the football calendar for fans of both sides and neutrals alike.
With the rivalry growing more fierce in recent years, it has typically come to represent a top-of-the-table clash thanks to the successes of both sides and their innovative managers.
You can register your interest in future matches and view our latest Manchester City tickets on sale here.
Join us for more stories, updates, and fan experiences at SportsBreaks.com, where the game never ends and every match is more than just a game.
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