Beyond Football

There is a seminal moment in the latest season of House of Cards – this is when the Underwood couple realize their greatest strength is that they are something “Beyond Marriage”. In so many ways the Manchester United – Liverpool rivalry is “Beyond Football”. Yes, the rivalry may have its roots in the economic battles between the two cities in the late 19^th century – which transcended to the football pitch. But in many ways this rivalry defies modern football logic.

These games nowadays don’t see potential Ballon d’Or winners pitted against one another, nor are they about a fight to become English and European champions. Yet, every time this fixture approaches – it has the feel of the biggest game in football. Throughout the history of these two clubs, their periods of success have rarely coincided with one another. There are only a handful of instances in the past century when both these clubs have been competing for the big trophies in the same season. Yet the rivalry is so riveting, so absorbing.

Every die hard United fans dreams of celebrating a winner with the away end at Anfield and crushing Liverpool hearts with a late winner in front of the Stretford end.  My closest friends our Liverpool fans, and I know the sinking feeling they have when they lose to Manchester United and vice-versa. You can overcome a defeat in a CL final but a defeat to Liverpool lingers long in the memory. You wait for vengeance.

I remember last season in Central Delhi when a sea of MUFC supporters marched from their regular game bar to the venue where Delhi Kop where hosting the event chanting “20 times, 20 times….” It was a surreal atmosphere, this is not Manchester or Merseyside, this is New Delhi, these lot are not connected to the economic battles of these two cities, they are just pure passionate football fans. No trophies have been won, but somehow every fan feels that success and failure against the great rivals is a seminal moment in history.

The anxiety that precedes each game is matched by either total ecstasy or utter despair at the end. This isn't just a football match, this is legacy vs legacy, this is bragging rights, this is about conquering enemy territory, this is the modern day equivalent of a global war. No matter what the competition, this is Manchester United vs Liverpool – it is something truly Beyond Football.