Manchester United and Liverpool. England’s most successful clubs and two of the most glamourous –Â yet this weekend’s meeting between the pair marks a significant and poignant milestone.
For the first time in Premier League history, neither side will be fielding any locally born players in the fixture.
Traditionally, every one of the 46 Premier League encounters between the two north west giants has seen at least one player from the Liverpool or Manchester area appearing for their respective club.
With Steven Gerrard’s recent departure to Los Angeles and Liverpudlians Jon Flanagan and Jordan Rossiter unlikely to play, the game is set to become a Premier League first.
To put it into perspective, for Gerrard’s first appearance against United in 1999, there were eight players in action for their local side.
Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, David Thompson and Robbie Fowler turned out for Liverpool, and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ronnie Wallwork featured for United.
Strangely, the only Scouser expected to feature will be playing up front for Manchester United.
