Liverpool will withdraw the level with the record 20 top-flight trophies from Manchester United if they secure an almost inevitable Premier League title this season, but who actually has the larger Honors sign?
Sir Alex Ferguson once said that his biggest challenge at Man Utd “Liverpool had beaten their perch” after their dominance of the 1980s – and he made sure that his side had taken their cloak against the time of his retirement, the season United lifted their 20th Top -Flight Trophy.
That brought them two before the Reds in 2013, but after Jurgen Klopp helped the Premier League Hoodoo around Anfield seven years later, Arne Slot is now about to withdraw Liverpool with their old rivals with a 20th league title, to match their record all time.
That will be sealed on Wednesday evening if Crystal Palace defeats Arsenal, live on Sky Sports.
Both Liverpool and Man Utd have long talked the biggest trophy collections in English football. But what about their wider Honors Board – and who can claim to be the most successful? Read on and bring out your own voice at the bottom of the page.
Liverpool to draw level with Man Utd – or are they already in front?
At present, Man Utd has won 68 large silverware in their history – according to their own honors board. That places them one for Liverpool, which would be at 67 due to the same calculations until they draw level once their second Premier League trophy is confirmed.
An important discrepancy comes with the recording of the community shield. Things change very quickly when we get that competition from the comparison.
There are a view in both camps about whether it counts as an important trophy; On the “Honors Board” on the old Liverpool training field in Melwood, it was never recorded alongside their other tournament expectations.
And if that is the case, Liverpool are already four free of man UTD – with 51 trophies compared to their 47.
More wide, the answer depends on who you ask. For example, the FA categorizes it as friendly for disciplinary purposes – yellow and red cards do not transfer to other domestic games. And although nine substitutes can be mentioned, such as in a Premier League match, six can be used instead of five in the top flight.
Perhaps the most doubtful is inconsistent suitability for the competition. Since 1974 the shield has been disputed at Wembley between the Top-Flight League and FA Cup winners. But before that it was an invitation competition, often included teams that had not won anything last season.
Seven of the titles of Man Utd, and three of Liverpool, came prior to that makeover. And some of both parties '' 'victories' were actually draws – four of Man Utd's and five from Liverpool – as the shield used to be shared when the score was after a 90 -minute level.
Some players have openly admitted that they treat it as friendly. Mikael Silvestre said after beating Arsenal in 2002: “This is still a game for the season.” But others have defended the competition, with Pep Guardiola called it the “first final of the season”, although he also complained about the lack of respect that it is given.
Claudio Ranieri, Antonio Conte and Mikel Arteta have also come to the defense of the competition in recent years.
Why Man Utd thinks they can still regain their lead this season
Even with Liverpool's Premier League triumph an almost inevitability, there is still time for Man Utd to struggle their cloak back as the leading trophy winner of England towards the end of the season, including community shields.
After Man Utd had reached the last four of the Europa League of this season last week through the skin of their teeth against Lyon, they were able to add a 69th trophy to their collection at the end of this campaign.
When the Premier League started in 1992, Liverpool was 18 trophies for their rivals, but thanks to the unprecedented success of Man Utd under Ferguson, a Premier League and Community Shield Double in 2010/11 was sufficient to present them for the first time since the early 1970s.
They have led the road almost since then, although four trophies in the last three seasons of the Klopp era briefly Liverpool -he went after their Carabao Cup triumph last February.
Man Utd quickly hit back to restore their leadership by winning the FA Cup against Man City in May – an achievement that they could repeat in Bilbao next month.
But what do you think? Who is actually the most successful club in English football? Do you have a say by responding below …