Liverpool FC: 10 Teams We Love to Beat and Why
Over Liverpool's successful career, it has piled up a number of rivals. Liverpool's rivals come from on-the-field clashes, feuds between coaches, player transfers and just general dislike among fans.
Although Liverpool has some very fierce rivalries, it does not have too many significant rivalries outside of these. These are the top 10 teams that Liverpool and its fans enjoy beating most.
10. Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest peaked for a few years while Liverpool was in its prime.
Forrest won the 1979 European Cup while knocking Liverpool out in the process. The next season Forest repeated its European Cup success. Liverpool won the two European Cups preceding Forest’s success and the European Cup just afterwards (1977,1978,1981).
Although this rivalry is not significant anymore, for those five years, these two English teams locked up all of the European Cups. I am certain that Liverpool fans would be happy if their team did not have to compete against Nottingham Forest back in the early 80s and vice versa.
Finally, there will always be a sad note between these two clubs because of the Hillsborough Disaster, which led to the death of 96 innocent victims while attending a match between these two teams.
9. Aston Villa
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Villa is another English team that played really well during the early 1980s capping off their performance with a European Cup victory in 1982.
Aston Villa surged up from the third division of football in the 1970s, and their hot streak continued when they made it to the top flight. The Villains won the league title in the 1980-81 season.
Aston Villa’s success also coincided with Liverpool’s prime years. Even though Liverpool won a vast majority of the titles during this time, I am certain Liverpool supporters would have liked either one of Aston Villa’s major achievements coming from the early 80s.
Aston Villa just edges Nottingham Forrest because of Villa’s continued presence in the Premier League.
8. Juventus
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Liverpool and Juventus have historically been powerhouses in European football but have significantly struggled over the past few seasons. While Juventus’ success primarily came through domestic titles, Liverpool’s claim to fame is success at the domestic and European level.
However, in 1985, the two clubs met in the European Cup final, and Juventus came out on top. Liverpool won the European Cup the season before, but Juventus narrowly edged them in the ’85 final.
More importantly, was the horrible Heysel Stadium Disaster that completely overshadowed the game. The tragic events led to a five-year ban for English clubs from European competition, but Liverpool received a six-year ban.
This event has had a huge impact on Liverpool’s history, and Juventus fans still remember that terrible day in May 1985.
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7. Real Madrid
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Every successful team has come up against Real at some point.
Liverpool and Real Madrid met in the 1981 European Cup final where Liverpool barely came out on top. During this time, Liverpool were still at the top of their game, while Real had not been to a European Cup final for 15 years (1966) and would not make it to another until 17 years later (1998).
In addition to this match, a number of footballers have moved from Liverpool to Real Madrid. Obviously, Real Madrid is one of the premier destinations for any player, but the way in which Michael Owen and Steve McManaman left Liverpool for Madrid was unpleasant.
Since then, many Liverpool fans were disappointed with the departure of Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
6. Manchester City
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Both Liverpool and Manchester City are together in their hatred of Manchester United, but the proximity of the cities and the recent success of City has laid the foundation for a developing rivalry.
Manchester City also has a star-studded roster, so nearly every team is eager to defeat them.
In addition, Manchester City looks to be one of Liverpool’s long-term rivals for obtaining a spot in the UEFA Champions League. City had a successful season this year, and with more signings expected this summer, it is easy to see that City will keep it up again next season.
5. Tottenham
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Tottenham has been very successful the last two seasons with the emergence of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, as well as the resurgence of Rafael van der Vaart.
Tottenham beat Liverpool both times they played this season, but with Tottenham missing out on the Champions League, it will be tough to keep their stars when a good bid comes in.
However, confidence is high at Tottenham, and as long as Harry Redknapp is still manager, it is unlikely that his stars would be ready to leave. This means Tottenham will be challenging for a top-four finish next season, and Liverpool will be desperate to get six points from them next season.
4. A.C. Milan
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Like Real Madrid, AC Milan has had a lot of European success throughout the years. Milan is just ahead of Liverpool and just behind Real Madrid in terms of European Cup victories.
These two clubs became fierce rivals in the 2005 Champions League final where Liverpool came back from 3-0 down at halftime to tie it up 3-3 and eventually win on penalty kicks.
AC Milan got revenge in 2007 though when they beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final. Ever since these two games, both clubs are eager to defeat the other side whenever there is a chance.
3. Arsenal
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Liverpool’s rivalry with Arsenal comes down to mutual respect for each other, while also mutual frustration at the lack of success in recent years.
Excluding Arsenal’s "Invincibles" and Liverpool’s Istanbul comeback, these two clubs have not lived up to their potential. Liverpool has not won a Premier League title in too long, while Arsenal has yet to win a Champions League title.
Liverpool and Arsenal have done a great job of tearing each other down and paving the way for teams like Manchester United and Chelsea to fill in instead. This mutual respect and frustration has made it so that both teams really hope to beat the other when they meet.
2. Chelsea
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This rivalry was non-existent until recently, but the mutual hatred between the clubs almost entirely stems down to the Champions League.
Chelsea fans were livid after Liverpool’s “ghost goal” in the 2004-05 Champions League semifinal. This goal was the only goal scored between the two clubs, and this goal sent Liverpool to the final.
Chelsea have had their revenge in 2008 though, when it barely beat Liverpool in the Champions League semifinals through extra time. Chelsea then knocked Liverpool out a year later in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Finally, Fernando Torres’ move from Liverpool to Chelsea has made it so Liverpool fans desperately want to beat Chelsea.
1. Tie: Everton-Manchester United
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Liverpool fans hate both of these clubs so much. In fact, it is impossible to say which team Liverpool would rather beat.
For fans living in Liverpool, it would have to be Everton. These fans want to boast to their neighbors for a few weeks, and there is nothing better than beating your neighbor’s team. The matches between these two sides often get rough, but all that matters is who wins.
Liverpool fans equally hate Manchester United fans. Fans who live outside of Liverpool usually say United is their most hated opponent.
The proximity of the clubs as well as the recent struggle as to which team is the best English club makes this rivalry all the stronger. In addition, Sir Alex Ferguson did not get along with Rafa Benitez, and I am certain Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish are not best friends either.
Liverpool and United have fought over players throughout the years, and just recently United have pursued Ashley Young and Phil Jones after Liverpool’s interest became clear.
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