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Liverpool vs Manchester United: Which is best strikeforce in Premier League history?

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MANCHESTER UNITED travel to Anfield for the 25th time in the Premier League.

But for the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and Sadio Mane it will be a baptism of fire.

HULL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Hull City at KC Stadium on August 27, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
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For Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford it's a first Prem appearance at AnfieldCredit: Getty Images

The strike trio spread out across Liverpool and United are the novelties up front in one of England's most traditional fixtures.


For all the up to date team news ahead of the game, click HERE


The country's two most successful clubs have enjoyed some stunning forward lines in the Premier League's 25 years.

And here are ten of them

Eric Cantona-Andy Cole, Manchester United — 1995-97

Andy Cole, Manchester United, celebrates his goal whilst being congratulated by Eric Cantona in a 4-2 win over Wimbledon at Selhurst Park.
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Andy Cole and Eric Cantona were Man United's first strike duo in Premier League

SIR ALEX FERGUSON made Cole Britain's most-expensive player when he signed him from Newcastle for 7.5m.

In his first season, he didn't play with Cantona as the Frenchman was serving his infamous ban.

Together, they won two Premier League titles and the FA Cupagainst Liverpool in 1996.

Robbie Fowler-Stan Collymore, Liverpool — 1995-97

28 Feb 1996: Stan Collymore of Liverpool celebrates with first goal scorer Robbie Fowler during Liverpool v Charlton Athletic in the FA cup fifth round at Anfield.
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Robbie Fowler and Stan Collymore finished third and fourth in Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images

ROY EVANS broke Cole's record when he convinced Liverpool to pay £8.5m for Collymore just five months later.

Fowler was the reigning Young Player of the Year and would retain his award in their first season together.

The man the Liverpool fans nicknamed 'God' scored all four of the Reds' goals against United in 1995-96.


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Robbie Fowler-Michael Owen, Liverpool — 1997-01

STK04D:SPORT-SOCCER:STOKE ON TRENT,ENGLAND,3JAN99 - Liverpool goal scorers Robbie Fowler (L) and Michael Owen congratulate each other after their FA Cup third round match against Port Vale January 3. Liverpool won the match 3-0. jb/Photo by Ian Hodgson REUTERS
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Academy graduates Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen were dream strike pairCredit: Reuters

COLLYMORE was fazed out at Anfield due to the emergence of a young striker called Michael Owen.

The 17-year-old scored on his Liverpool debut and seemed set for stardom.

A strike duo of academy graduates seemed the ideal for the Reds — but they couldn't finish higher than third in the Premier League.

Dwight Yorke- Andy Cole, Manchester United — 1998-01

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole celebrate after the FA Carling Premiership match between Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on May 16, 1999 in Manchester, England. Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Dwight York and Andy Cole with first of three successive Premier League titlesCredit: Getty Images

FAMED duo formed and unforgettable partnership up front for the Red Devils.

In their first season, they were the club's two top goal scorers as United won the Treble.

Yorke and Cole spent three years together — and in each campaign, won at least the title.

Michael Owen-Emile Heskey, Liverpool — 2000-04

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARC ASPLAND. THE TIMES. 2.10.02. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. LIVERPOOL VS FC SPARTAK MOSKVA. MICHAEL OWEN CONGRATULATES EMILE HESKEY ON HIS GOAL 1-0
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Michael Owen and Emile Heskey won three trophies one season together at Liverpool

AN INCREDIBLE first full season together saw Liverpool win the FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup — and Owen claim the Ballon d'Or.

Heskey's emergence spelt the end for Fowler.

In the duo's second season together, they finished second and above United — two firsts in the Premier League.

Ruud van Nistelrooy-Wayne Rooney, Manchester United — 2004-06

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MANCHESTER UTD 6 VS 2 FENERBAHCE,28/9/04.PICTURE MARK ROBINSON MAN UTD,S RUDD VAN NISTELROOY, CELEBRATES AFTER SCORING THE 5TH WITH WAYNE ROONEY
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Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney only played two seasons togetherCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

REMARKABLY, Van Nistelrooy on won just ONE league title at United.

And in his five seasons at the club, he only finished in the top-two on one other occasion.

But he and Rooney are two of the greatest frontmen to ever grace the English game — and together, they were awesome.

Fernando Torres-Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool — 2007-11

PHOTOGRAPH BY GRAHAM HUGHES THE TIMES 30.03.08. LIVERPOOL V EVERTON. BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP. ANFIELD STADIUM. SUNDAY 30th MARCH 2008. Fernando Torres (Liverpool) celebrates scoring the first 1-0
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Fernando Torres excelled alongside Dirk Kuyt, but duo failed to claim trophies

TORRES enjoyed one of the best debut campaigns in Premier League history.

And he even managed to improve in his second.

Workhorse Kuyt was the perfect foil alongside him — though, their partnership yielded no trophies.

Wayne Rooney-Cristiano Ronaldo-Carlos Tevez, Manchester United 2007-09

Carlos Tevez of Manchester United celebrates his goal with Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo all three players have left or have asked to leave Player Feature - Wayne Rooney Player Feature - Wayne Rooney - Manchester United 6th October, 2007 -------------------- Sportimage +44 7980659747 picturedesk@sportimage.co.uk //www.sportimage.co.uk/ English Premier and Football League images are only to be used in an editorial context, images are not allowed to be published on end user internet sites unless a licence has been obtained from DataCo Ltd +44 (0)20 7864 9121
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Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo were amazing togetherCredit: Sportimage

ONE of the best strikeforces in English football history.

The trio mesmerised Europe en route to Champions League success in 2008.

Ronaldo and Tevez left in 2009, meaning the partnership lasted just two seasons.

Robin van Persie-Wayne Rooney, Manchester United — 2012-2015

Arsenal V Manchester United / Barclays Premier League 28.04.2013 / Marc Aspland The Times Robin Van Persie (Utd) celebrtaes scoring from the spot 1-1
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Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie won a league title together in 2012-13

OF ALL Ferguson's signings, only Cantona can realistically claim to have had a better immediate influence than Van Persie.

United were reeling after conceding the title to Manchester City in dramatic fashion a year earlier — and the Dutchman was inspiration in winning it back.

Their partnership was summed up perfectly when Van Persie clinched the title after firing home from Rooney's inch-perfect ball.

Daniel Sturridge-Luis Suarez, Liverpool — 2013-2014

CARDIFF, WALES - MARCH 22: Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool celebrates with team mate Luis Suarez after scoring his team's fifth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Cardiff City and Liverpool at Cardiff City Stadium on March 22, 2014 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)
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Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge came agonisingly close to glory in 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty Images

THEY came so close.

Suarez (31) and Sturridge (22) were the two top goal scorers as Liverpool romped their way through the season.

With the title seemingly in their grasp, they threw it away with just three games to spare to finish two points behind Man City.

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