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€1.77bn squad value
©IMAGO
Manchester United and Liverpool is a fixture that has produced a vast history of incredible drama since the Premier League was founded in 1992, boasting club icons from home and abroad. Perhaps it's fair to say the power and success once associated with both clubs is no longer quite at the same level, but in terms of market value, they are breaking new ground.
Their meeting at Old Trafford on Sunday broke the record for the highest combined squad value between the two clubs, with their matchup totalling €1.77 billion. It marginally surpasses the €1.75 billion combined value from the reverse fixture at Anfield earlier this season, which United won by a 2-1 scoreline.
As the graphic below shows, Liverpool have boasted the higher squad value in nine out of the top 10 most-valuable matchups. Curiously, United actually had a larger squad value than Liverpool when the teams met at Old Trafford on October 24, 2021. However, that memory proved to be a painful one for Red Devils fans as they watched their team go down 5-0, their biggest home defeat to their long-time rivals in over 100 years.
The Reds' overall squad value dropped from €1.09 billion to €1.03 billion since October after a disappointing title defence under Arne Slot. As a contrast, United's has increased by €73 million to €747 million, owing much to their improved performance on the pitch. Coming off the back of their 15th-placed finish in 2024/25, which represented their worst-ever Premier League season, United underwent a transitional summer.
They splashed out over €250 million on six new players, but after another underwhelming start, Ruben Amorim was swiftly replaced. Interim coach Michael Carrick has reinvigorated the squad to guide them to third in the table. With Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and other signings starting to impress, United's squad value could skyrocket once again at the next update in June if they continue to perform as they are.
Slot was unable to field many of his star names, including Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah, having spent €480.9 million in the summer in a blockbuster summer transfer window. And that seemed to have an impact on his side once again with a youthful bench unable to rescue them from a narrow defeat. Both Cunha and Sesko scored to help United take a 2-0 lead, before Liverpool responded through Dominik Szoboszlai six minutes after the interval and then Dutch winger Cody Gakpo on 56 minutes to ensure a thrilling finale.
Both sides looked to be happy to settle for a point until Kobbie Mainoo struck a 77th-minute winner for United, who now know that Champions League qualification is secure. Liverpool look set to join them despite their loss, and that could mean another record-breaking squad value matchup is on the cards for the 2026/27 season.
