English Football’s Greatest: Liverpool or Manchester United? | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Latest Triumph Settles a Historic Debate

When Gary Neville smiles while delivering a “sobering” verdict, it’s time to listen. In a revealing piece by The Athletic, the former Manchester United captain effectively handed Liverpool Football Club the crown of England’s most successful side — a statement that resonated across the football world.

“The accolade of the most successful club — today the debate is over. It’s Liverpool Football Club.”With those words, Neville marked a momentous shift in English football’s long-standing battle for supremacy.

Levelling the Field with Manchester United

Liverpool’s recent Premier League triumph, clinched at Anfield, drew them level with Manchester United on 20 top-flight titles. Yet, crucially, Liverpool’s rich European pedigree, boasting six Champions League/European Cups to United’s three, sets them apart. As Neville conceded, “Liverpool go level with United and they’ve got more European Cups.”

Photo: IMAGO

In his conversation with NBC Sports, Neville was reminded of Sir Alex Ferguson’s famous mission — to knock Liverpool “off their perch” (with the colourful language conveniently omitted). Neville acknowledged, “Manchester United worked very hard to get ahead of Liverpool and I suppose the accolade of the most successful club was maybe in debate because of the importance of the league title. But after today it’s not in debate.”

Fan Reactions: Banter, Bravado and Bristling Debates

Naturally, the fanbase reactions were electric. Manchester United supporters quickly rallied on social media, reminding the football world that domestic cups must count too. Some clung to the idea that United’s 13 Premier League titles outweigh Liverpool’s two, as if the rebranding of the old First Division diluted Liverpool’s achievements.

Photo: IMAGO

And so, the familiar debate rages on. Does the Community Shield count? Should domestic dominance trump European glory? While purists agree that the Premier League and the Champions League hold the highest prestige, this conversation touches on tribal loyalties deeper than mere trophy counts.

Yet, by the purest measurements of prestige — top-flight titles and European Cups — Liverpool now lead or are level across every major category.

Why Success Still Matters in Modern Rivalries

The truth is, these milestones matter greatly. Neville recalled how United’s obsession with overtaking Liverpool defined an entire generation at Old Trafford. “It would be massive for us to get to 19 before them and become the outright most successful team in England,” he admitted in 2010. Three years later, United reached 20 league titles under Ferguson. Now, Liverpool have matched it, and added the weight of continental success.

Liverpool’s resurgence has been profound, not just through domestic titles but by reaffirming their global stature. Their six European crowns, compared to United’s three, hold undeniable sway when the world judges elite football institutions.

Still, United’s pursuit of a Europa League win to return to the Champions League underlines how quickly power can shift. Yet, as Neville rightly suggested, winning secondary competitions does not alter the top-tier success hierarchy.

Right now, it’s Liverpool at the summit — not by default, but by achievement.

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As an excited Liverpool supporter, this feels like the crowning moment that has been years in the making. For decades, Manchester United fans waved their 20 titles like an unbeatable standard. Now, Liverpool have not only caught them but, arguably, surpassed them when factoring in their European dominance.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have reignited that spirit of ambition without losing the attacking swagger instilled over recent years. The notion that Gary Neville — the quintessential Red — has publicly conceded Liverpool’s supremacy feels symbolic. It’s a psychological milestone as much as a statistical one.

Of course, rival fans will continue to nitpick about numbers and technicalities. Some cling to domestic cups, others belittle European achievements. But history will record this moment as a major victory for Liverpool.

It’s crucial Liverpool do not rest here. Slot must keep the squad motivated to turn 20 into 21 as swiftly as possible and extend their continental lead further. European giants like Real Madrid show that sustained success breeds undeniable legacy — Liverpool have now set the platform to do the same.

The message is clear: this is not the end of a journey. It’s the start of a new era where Liverpool can truly cement themselves as English football’s gold standard for years to come.