The rivalry between Liverpool F.C. and Leeds United is one of the oldest and most intense in English football. The two clubs have been facing off since the early 20th century and have played some of the most memorable matches in football history. In this article, we will take a look at the timeline of this historic rivalry, from its early days to the present.
Early Years: 1920s to 1960s
The first meeting between Liverpool and Leeds took place on November 18th, 1922, in a Division Two match at Elland Road. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, and it was the start of a long and bitter rivalry between the two clubs.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Liverpool and Leeds played each other regularly in the lower divisions of English football. It was not until the 1960s that they both gained promotion to the top flight and started to face each other on a regular basis.
1970s: The Heyday of the Rivalry
The 1970s saw Liverpool and Leeds establish themselves as two of the top teams in English football. They faced each other in numerous memorable matches, including the 1974 FA Cup final, which Liverpool won 3-0.
One of the most famous matches between the two teams took place on April 26th, 1975, at Anfield. The match, which was crucial in deciding the outcome of the league title race, ended in a 2-2 draw. This match is still remembered today as one of the greatest games in English football history.
1980s and 1990s: Decline of Leeds
The 1980s and 1990s saw a decline in the fortunes of Leeds United, while Liverpool remained one of the dominant teams in English football. Despite this, the rivalry between the two clubs remained strong.
In the 1991-92 season, Leeds United were relegated to the second division, but they managed to bounce back immediately and faced Liverpool in the FA Cup third round in January 1995. Liverpool won the match 2-0, but it was a closely fought encounter that showed the rivalry was still alive.
2000s and 2010s: Rivalry Renewed
The turn of the millennium saw a resurgence of Leeds United, and the rivalry with Liverpool was renewed. In the 2000-01 season, the two teams faced each other in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals, with Liverpool winning 4-3 on aggregate.
More recently, Liverpool and Leeds have faced each other in the Premier League, with their first meeting in the top flight for 16 years taking place on September 12th, 2020. The match was an exciting encounter that saw Liverpool win 4-3, and it showed that the rivalry between these two historic clubs is still as strong as ever.
Conclusion
The rivalry between Liverpool F.C. and Leeds United is one of the oldest and most intense in English football. From the early days of the 1920s to the present, these two clubs have faced each other in some of the most memorable matches in football history. The rivalry has survived the highs and lows of both clubs and continues to be one of the most fiercely contested in the sport.