Wednesday brought another colorful chapter in the book of Liverpool vs. Manchester United’s heated rivalry.
Liverpool CEO Peter Moore, during an interview at the World Football Summit in Madrid, made a not so subtle dig at United, by referencing a phrase that is famously linked to United club patriarch Sir Alex Ferguson.
“We are back on our perch, as we famously say,” Moore told the media today while praising the club’s ownership, American sports company Fenway Sports Group (who also own the Boston Red Sox), who took control in 2010.
“What the Fenway Sports Group have done at Liverpool over the past nine years is nothing short of miraculous,” Moore added.
“They have gone through ups and downs but have stayed the course and never taken a penny out of the club.”
“The perch” is a reference to Sir Alex infamously saying, just after he arrived at Old Trafford, his first priority was to “knock Liverpool right off their perch.”
Fergie then won 13 Premier League titles, taking United’s total to 20, two above their Merseyside rivals. However, the tables have certainly turned now as Liverpool, the reigning European champions, are contending for the league title year in and year out. There is currently even a bidding war going on for the right to be their sportswear partner.
Meanwhile United haven’t seriously contended for the title since Ferguson retired in 2013, and they have even missed out on UCL qualification four times in the last six seasons.
They are also owned by an American group, the Glazer family, who are currently reviled by many in the fan base. Both clubs commence their League Cup campaign, with third round fixtures, tonight.
Liverpool vs MK Dons League Cup 3rd Round FYIs
Liverpool team news, starting XI prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Wed, Sept 25, 7:45 pm, MK Dons Stadium
Odds via Oddschecker Liverpool win -450 Draw +620 MK Dons win +1340
Manchester United vs Rochdale League Cup FYIs
Kickoff: Wed Sept 25, Old Trafford, 8pm
Odds via SofaScore United win -1000 Draw 1000 Rochdale win 2000
Form Guide: United LWWDLD Rochdale LDLLWW
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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