The Daily FitPlay: Health, Sports & Entertainment Insights

Fitness. Sports. Entertainment. All in One Place

What the crowd looked like the last time Manchester United beat Liverpool at Anfield

Rachel010 mins


It has been almost a decade since Manchester United last tasted victory over Liverpool at Anfield.

Their 1-0 triumph in January 2016 marked the club’s most recent success at the home of their fiercest rivals Liverpool and it has been a torturous journey ever since.

As we approach another massive clash between these two storied clubs, why not take a look at what the world looked like at that time nine years ago?

From world politics to some of football’s biggest shocks, a lot has changed since Wayne Rooney’s goal secured that crucial win for the Red Devils.

So sit back, relax and enjoy a trip down memory lane.

The UK is still in the European Union

In January 2016, the United Kingdom was still a member of the European Union.

Brexit was a heated political debate, but it had not yet reached its dramatic turning point.

The then Prime Minister David Cameron had promised a referendum on EU membership, which was scheduled for June of that year.

The political climate was dominated by debates over sovereignty, immigration and economic ties with Europe, but few could have predicted the narrow 52%-48% vote to leave that would emerge just six months later.

At the time of Manchester United’s last victory at Anfield, nobody knew how divisive Brexit would become or how long and complicated the process of leaving would be.

The UK officially left the EU on 31 January 2020, setting in motion a new era of political and economic uncertainty.

Donald Trump’s presidential candidacy

Across the Atlantic, the political landscape was no less turbulent.

In January 2016, Donald Trump was in the midst of his first campaign for the Presidency of the United States.

His fiery rhetoric and unorthodox style had made him a controversial figure, but few believed he would actually secure the Republican nomination – let alone win the presidency.

At the time, the Democratic race was also heating up, with Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders battling it out for their party’s nomination.

Trump’s campaign rallies dominated the headlines, with his “Make America Great Again” slogan gaining traction among voters unhappy with the status quo.

By November 2016, Trump would surprise the world by defeating Clinton in the general election, reshaping US politics and global relations for years to come.

Seven years later, he is set to take office again after taking down Kamala Harris’ campaign.

Leicester Series 5000/1

While Manchester United’s victory at Anfield was significant for the Red Devils at the time, the biggest footballing story of that season was Leicester’s stunning run to the Premier League title.

In January 2016, Claudio Ranieri’s underdog side were defying odds of 5000/1, sitting top of the table and trailing traditional powers like Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Leicester’s success was built on the brilliance of Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante, along with a well-rounded defense led by captain Wes Morgan.

By May, the Foxes would have completed their fairytale, lifting the Premier League trophy in one of the most incredible achievements in football history.

Their triumph symbolized hope for smaller clubs in the coming years and proved that hard work could overcome financial inequality.

The Three Lions by Roy Hodgson

At the start of 2016, Roy Hodgson was in charge of the England national team, preparing for the Euros in France that summer.

Hodgson’s tenure has been a mixed bag, with highs such as a perfect Euro 2016 qualifying campaign where England won all 10 of their matches, and lows such as a disappointing group stage exit at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

However, the optimism surrounding England’s young and talented squad will soon fade.

At Euro 2016, England suffered one of their most humiliating defeats, losing 2-1 to Iceland in the round of 16.

Hodgson resigned immediately after the game, marking the end of his tenure.

Gareth Southgate would later take over, leading England to a resurgence in the coming years.

COVID-19 and football behind closed doors

Fast forward three years after Manchester United won at Anfield, and the world was faced with a crisis of unimaginable proportions.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, brought life to a standstill in 2020.

For soccer, that meant empty stadiums, postponed games and a new normal of games played behind closed doors.

The absence of fans in the stadiums deeply affected the atmosphere of the match.

Anfield, known for its electric atmosphere, felt eerily quiet during this period, even as the Reds won their maiden Premier League title.

The players had to adjust to the competition in near silence, with only the echoes of their screams and the snap of the ball breaking the stillness.

While the game continued, the lifeblood of football – the fans – were sorely missed until the stadiums reopened in 2021.

Time to end the streak?

As United prepare to face Liverpool again, fans will be reflecting on how much has changed since that afternoon in January 2016.

Football, like the world, never stands still and this Sunday’s clash will add another chapter to the storied rivalry between these two iconic clubs.

New Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim will be hoping to go down in the history books by picking up a rare win on Merseyside.

Meanwhile, Arne Slot will be rooting for his Liverpool side to continue his honour.

Either way, the North West derby is always great value and this clash should be no different.



Related News