Remembering the last 4 FA Cup meetings between Liverpool and Man United

It does not happen often that the two most successful clubs in English football meet in the FA Cup, which doesn't make a lot of sense when you read that back. However, it's the truth and Sunday marks only the 5th time they have played in the famous cup competition since 2006.

In this article we are going to take a trip down memory lane to see how the previous four meetings went and how different things were then. Let's get started.

Jan 24, 2021 - 4th Round - Manchester United 3 Liverpool 2

The most recent edtiion of this version of the rivalry actually wasn't too long ago. It took place during the height of the COVID pandemic, meaning the match was played behind closed doors.

Mohamed Salah opened the scoring before Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford put United in front. Salah would equalize just before the hour, but in the end, it would be Bruno Fernandes that scored the winner in the 78th minute.

Some familiar names like Thiago, Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner and Roberto Firmino were in the Starting XI for Liverpool on this day. Sadio Mane and Divock Origi would come on as subs.

Jan 28, 2012 - 4th Round - Liverpool 2 Manchester United 1

We have to go back almost a full decade before we have another FA Cup clash between these two footballing giants.

This time, it was Liverpool that got the best of the meeting as Dirk Kuyt scored the 88th minute winner. Daniel Agger had opened the soring for Liverpool before the rock-solid Park-Ji Sung leveled for Man United.

This was a throwback to different times at Anfield as the Starting XI included the likes of Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Martin Kelly and Jose Enrique. Charlie Adam and Kuyt were the key subs. Carroll and the Dutchman teamed up for a classy goal worthy of a winner.

Jan 9, 2011 - 3rd Round - Manchester United 1 Liverpool 0

A year before Kuyt's dramatics, these two met in the FA Cup 3rd Round at Old Trafford. This was a tense affair that did not see a lot of separation between the two sides, per usual. Ryan Giggs netted a 2nd minute penalty that would prove to be the deciding factor in the match.

Both managers fielded strong sides with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dimitar Berbatov, Rio Ferdinand and Kuyt all starting.

Despite all of that starpower, it was not the most enthralling of matches to witness.

Feb 18, 2006 - 5th Round - Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0

We have to go back a further five years before we can see another FA Cup meeting. This one took place at Anfield with a trip to the Quarterfinals on the line.

Howard Webb was the referee on the day and he handed out a ridiculous 7 yellow cards as names like Giggs, Carragher, Hyypia, Hamann and Vidic went in the book, among others. It was a feisty clash that saw the 44,000+ in attendance that day treated to a proper Cup tie.

It would be a young Peter Crouch that would head Rafa Benitez's men ahead in the 20th minute as he barely got it past Edwin van der Sar.

Liverpool would go on to win the FA Cup in 2006 as they overcame West Ham in the Final on penalties. However, we all remember the heroics to get them there from a certain midfielder.

Let's see what kind of FA Cup magic Sunday's modern day showdown will bring to this historic rivalry.