Manchester United host the table-toppers Liverpool this weekend after a long international break. The top-flight fixture is considered as one of the greatest rivalries in Premier League history. Jurgen Klopp and the team will look to continue their prime form and make it nine from nine this season while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will strive to save his job. The two of the most decorated clubs in England have faced each other a total of 202 times and the head to head count is- Liverpool: 66 Manchester United: 80 Draw: 56 Before the two teams lock horns at the Old Trafford this Sunday for yet another electrifying North-West Derby let’s have a look at the preview between the two teams and decide which is the most successful club in England.

Liverpool recently capped off their UEFA Champions League victory hangover by adding another silverware to the mantle– this time, the UEFA Super Cup beating Chelsea in Istanbul– the site of their famous and historic 2005 Champions League victory on penalties after extra time couldn’t separate the two English clubs. Tweets and posts were made about how Liverpool became the most successful football club in England overtaking Manchester United (apparently, they had drawn level with the Reds after their most recent Champions League success over Spurs).

LIverpool won the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea in Istanbul on penalties. Credits: bbc.co.uk

And while it is true that Liverpool have won 43 major trophies compared to United’s 42, the picture is not painted clearly and exactly and leaves a lot to interpretation. What is meant by this is the fact that some trophies like the Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup are not taken into account which makes for a completely different picture. And while, there’s still a lot of debate whether those trophies should be counted as ‘major trophies’, it makes sense to draw a complete assessment including all the trophies both sides have won.

The Red Devils have won 21 Community Shields, one UEFA Super Cup, one Club World Cup and one Intercontinental Cup while Liverpool, on the other hand, have won 16 Community Shields, four UEFA Super Cups and one domestic Super Cup.

Now, when you tabulate this data into the existing trophy count, it renders Manchester United as the clear winner with the most number of trophies in England. The Red Devils are well clear of their arch-nemeses and on the overall trophy count, lead Liverpool by 66-62.

United have won 66 trophies in their history- the most for any England side.

The current state of the two English giants

While Manchester United are ahead right now, Liverpool are playing catch up really quick and are one of the most impressive sides in Europe under current manager Jurgen Klopp. They made the Champions League finals on back-to-back occasions, finally breaking their trophy duck over under Klopp who delivered the big one this year. Liverpool also gruellingly finished second to Manchester City in the Premier League in one of the most strongly and closely competed Premier League battles in history.

Nothing has changed for them in that regard and they look like going all the way this year as well. Liverpool will also participate in the FIFA Club World Cup this year which implies that Manchester United fans will have to be cautious. Liverpool are coming for the title of the most successful club in England and they are coming in hot and fast.

Which are the other English sides with the most trophies?

Behind Manchester United and Liverpool are Arsenal. The North London club has won 30 major trophies including 13 Premier League titles and 13 FA Cup wins. Their last silverware came under The legendary Arsene Wenger in 2017 when they beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup.

While everything is merry and green and happy at Anfield, the situation couldn’t be more different at Old Trafford. The seat vacated by the great Sir Alex Ferguson still continues to torment every manager the club appoints and there are no signs that suggest a change. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have all suffered with the club continuously spiralling downwards. And while there was a bleak ray of hope, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s student Ole Gunnar Solskjaer first assumed his mentor’s chair, it has been all but extinguished now.

Chelsea are the fourth most prestigious club in England having won 24 major trophies including winning the Premier League six times. They recently won the UEFA Europa League under Maurizio Sarri in Baku.

Aston Villa complete the top 5 in England with 20 trophies in their cabinet. They have won the domestic league and FA Cup seven times each. They also won the European Cup in 1982 when they beat Bayern Munich in thrilling fashion.

Barcelona is the most successful club in the world, having won 93 trophies. Credits: mirror.co.uk

Let’s talk about the most decorated clubs in the world

Away from England, Barcelona is the most successful football club in the world with 93 trophies. While the Catalan club has been dominant for the majority of its history, it is only after the debut of a certain Argentinian in their ranks that the club has truly elevated to the best side in Europe and boasts more trophies than their eternal rivals Real Madrid who are second with 90 trophies.

Following them are Bayern Munich who have won 70 trophies. Manchester United is fourth on the list with 66 trophies and Juventus, having won 64 trophies separates United’s 66 trophies and Liverpool’s 62 on the list.