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

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


It has been almost a decade since Manchester United last beat Liverpool at Anfield.

Their 1-0 triumph in January 2016 was the club’s most recent success on the home turf of fierce rivals Liverpool and it has been a painful journey since then.

As we approach another major clash between these two historic clubs, why don’t we take a look back at what the world was like nine years ago?

From global politics to some of football’s biggest shocks, a lot has changed since Wayne Rooney’s goal gave the Red Devils a crucial victory.

So sit back, relax and enjoy a trip back in time.

Britain 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 one that had not yet reached its dramatic turning point.

Then-Prime Minister David Cameron had promised a referendum on EU membership, scheduled for June that year.

The political climate was dominated by discussions about sovereignty, immigration and economic relations with Europe, but few could have predicted that just six months later a narrow 52% to 48% would vote to leave.

At the time of Manchester United’s last win at Anfield, no one knew how divisive Brexit would be or how long and complicated the exit process would be.

On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially left the EU, ushering in a new era of political and economic uncertainty.

Donald Trump’s presidential election

On the other side of the Atlantic, the political landscape was no less turbulent.

In January 2016, Donald Trump was in the middle 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 this time, things were also heating up for the Democrats: Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were fighting for their party’s nomination.

Trump’s campaign appearances dominated headlines, and his slogan “Make America Great Again” resonated with voters dissatisfied with the status quo.

In November 2016, Trump would stun the world by defeating Clinton in the general election and reshaping U.S. politics and global relations for years to come.

Seven years later, he will take office again after crushing Kamala Harris’ campaign.

Leicester’s 5000/1 run

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

In January 2016, Claudio Ranieri’s underdog side topped the table despite being priced at 5000/1, leaving behind traditional powerhouses such as Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.

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

In May, the Foxes would complete their fairy tale and win the Premier League Cup – one of the most unlikely achievements in the history of football.

Their triumph symbolized hope for smaller clubs in the years to come and proved that financial inequality can be overcome through hard work.

Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions

At the beginning of 2016, Roy Hodgson was at the helm of the England national team and was preparing for the European Championships in France in the summer.

Hodgson’s tenure was mixed, with highs such as a perfect qualification for Euro 2016, where England won all ten games, and lows such as a disappointing group stage exit from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

However, optimism about England’s young and talented squad was soon to fade.

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

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

Gareth Southgate later took over and led England to promotion in the following years.

COVID-19 and football behind closed doors

Three years after Manchester United’s Anfield victory, the world experienced a crisis of unimaginable proportions.

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

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

The absence of fans in the stadiums significantly affected the atmosphere of the game.

At Anfield, known for its tense environment, there was an eerie silence during this time, even as the Reds won their first Premier League title.

The players had to get used to competing in near-silence, with only the echo of their shouts and the bounce of the ball breaking the silence.

While the game continued, the soul of football – the fans – were sorely missed until stadiums reopen 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 January afternoon in 2016.

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

Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils’ new coach, is hoping to write his name into the history books with a rare win on Merseyside.

Meanwhile, Arne Slot will be supporting his formidable Liverpool team as they continue their title bid.

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





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