Liverpool vs Manchester United : How the two rivals swapped fortunes in those 8 months of 2014

It was the first time Liverpool looked to close in on the Premier League title in almost 24 years, even closer than they were in 2009. Brendan Rodgers transformed the Reds into one of the most feared outfits with their high-octane style, laying waste to every team that came along their way. Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge were leading from the front for Liverpool, who were scoring goals for fun, which made their trip to Old Trafford on March 16, 2014, even more exciting.

Brendan Rodgers's side overwhelmed the hosts right from the start displaying some brilliant attacking football. The midfield trio of Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, and Joe Allen outplayed the double pivot of Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick employed by David Moyes, as the United boss sat in the dugout mulling over his decisions for the evening. Daniel Sturridge looked to have got on the scoresheet early on in the game latching on to a through ball from Henderson but his shot went wide, which sent shivers down the Old Trafford.

Phil Jones then tripped Joe Allen in the first minute of the second half, and the referee had no other choice but to award Liverpool another penalty. Gerrard beat David De Gea even as the Spaniard dived to the correct side, and the Liverpool captain famously celebrated the goal by kissing the camera. Frustrations in the United camp grew as Robin Van Persie's glanced a header wide with Moyes looking worried in the dugout.

The Scot hardly showed any urgency on the touchline, which was a common sight during Sir Alex's era, as Sturridge's dive awarded Liverpool their third penalty, and a second yellow card to United captain Nemanja Vidic. Though Gerrard's spot kick hit the bar, there was no looking back for Brendan Rodgers' men. Their title charge was confirmed with ten minutes from time as Luis Suarez escaped the offside trap to finish around De Gea to cement his team's position at the second spot.

Moyes walked into the tunnel after the final whistle with the bad news from United's hierarchy taking its time to rain on him. For Liverpool, their dreams to lift the title in the Premier League era was finally materialising. After Arsenal and Chelsea lost their ground in the title race, nobody expected that something dramatic would ever happen.

Fast forward eight months to December 14, 2014. United were no longer the most-feared team in England as David Moyes was sacked after just 36 days from the humiliating loss to Liverpool. Under new boss Louis van Gaal, United were slowly trying to recover from the previous season's nightmare. Patrice Evra left after eight successful years to ply his trade in Italy, while the club was hit hard with long-term captain Nemanja Vidic's departure to Inter Milan.

Liverpool, on the other hand, did not lose their coach but were in a worse condition than their rivals. Gerrard kissed the camera to celebrate his penalty at the Old Trafford but little did he know that his slip against Chelsea would result in Liverpool kissing their Premier League title challenge goodbye. Their talisman Luis Suarez was offloaded to Barcelona for a record deal of 81 million Euros, and Daniel Sturridge was out with a recurring thigh injury. Fabio Borini, Adam Lambert, and Mario Balotelli, who were brought with the money of Suarez, were big flops with Liverpool struggling at the 9th spot by December.

Liverpool started energetically, but the momentum shifted towards United as Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the 12th minute with Antonio Valencia exposing the flaws in Liverpool's game. The full back nutmegged Joe Allen and broke into space on the right side, and the Liverpool defence pressed the panic button. Rooney, now the captain of the side, made no mistake by scoring off a cut back from Valencia.

Juan Mata doubled United's lead, albeit with a bit of luck, as he headed home from an offside position. Brendan Rodgers stood helplessly on the touchline, much like David Moyes had done in the previous encounter. Their emphatic victory back in the same year at the same venue seemed aeons away. Despite bringing on Mario Balotelli, and Raheem Sterling being presented with a golden chance to score a goal, Liverpool did not look to stage a fightback.

Robin Van Persie then completed the revenge by slotting in from close range after Dejan Lovren's clearance found Juan Mata who teed up the striker. Liverpool went for desperate attempts in search of a consolation goal through Balotelli, but it was evident that the style and swagger they possessed during the previous encounter was no longer there.

The fixtures in 2014 marked how quick things can change in football. While David Moyes was targetted by the opposition fans after the defeat in March, it was Brendan Rodgers' turn to be called a 'clueless manager in charge of a big club'. The sense of invincibility Liverpool displayed was seen as a false hope with the mediocrity they displayed in the match. Though Fenway Sports Group sacked Rodgers a year after the defeat, the loss to United marked the former Swansea manager's worst time with the Reds.

Ahead of their upcoming clash on Monday, both the teams once again find themselves in contrasting situations. United have moved on from Louis Van Gaal, but are still struggling to find their ground under Jose Mourinho. They look unconvincing at times and have been far from consistent with their performances so far. Liverpool, on the other hand, have come a long way from the rot they suffered during the last few months of Rodgers' era. With Jurgen Klopp's “gegen-pressing” formula, they have gathered a style of their own proving they are worthy to be among the top four by the season end.

Liverpool might have lost in their past four league matches against United, but he has never lost to Mourinho. Few can forget the 4-0 defeat Klopp's men inflicted on Mourinho's Real Madrid back in the 2013 Champions League semifinal. Adding to that, Liverpool's five-match undefeated streak gives the Merseyside club more confidence to go for the win in the Northwest derby on Monday.