When Manchester United were at their peak under Sir Alex Ferguson, knocking Liverpool off their perch in the process, they were a side you loved to hate.
Littered with players you loathed, you’d respect the quality of a Roy Keane or a Paul Scholes but that didn’t mean you liked them.
Then there were the Gary Nevilles and Rio Ferdinands of this world - the individuals many Reds just couldn’t stand.
United have fallen a long way since those days and Ferguson’s retirement, with them now currently not even a mild irritation to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
As a result, Liverpool fans may feel no particularly great feeling towards the majority of the players that play for their fiercest of rivals, with United not even playing well enough for Kopites to take much notice of at pressent.
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Sure, there are a number of players Reds supporters will mock and enjoy the failings of, with Red Devils captain Harry Maguire coming to mind in that regard.
And there’s even one United player that Liverpool fans, dare I say it, actually like.
Marcus Rashford is one of the most-respected players in English football after his campaign for free school meals two years ago forced a government u-turn.
Such efforts did not go unnoticed on Merseyside, earning him a unique position compared to any other United player past or present, with Jurgen Klopp one of many to praise the forward at the time.
“I am not sure I can find any better words than much smarter people have said. But what Marcus has started there is absolutely incredible, it is so nice,” the German said.
“And with all the rivalry between the clubs, in these moments we are as footballers and as human beings always united.
“It’s just nice to show in a time when obviously a lot of people who are really in charge of something don’t show any sign of proper leadership. He is a boy grown up in difficult circumstances and blessed with sensational talent, obviously. But he never forgot his roots and where he is coming from. It’s just a shame that he has to do it.
“It is a bit of a shame but it is wonderful as well. I hope his mother is really proud of him. I don’t know him but even I am proud of him.
“And he plays for United which makes it really tricky! I’ve heard about Liverpool and Manchester United (rivalry) years and years ago.
“But yes that just shows that football can be really wondrous in moments. It shows that the subject is really really serious and that is why everybody puts the rivalry aside and thinks about the more important things in life.
“So I am really happy that Liverpool can show this solidarity in these moments.
“Now he is a role model for that and it is truly great. It won’t distract him from his football things.”
Andy Robertson even echoed claims from some fans that Rashford could become the first United player to get a standing ovation from Liverpool supporters at Anfield as a result.
“The two words that everyone’s saying (during the pandemic) are ‘Marcus Rashford’,” the Scotland captain said in an interview with The Times.
“He made politicians overturn the decision (not to extend free school meals) because he wanted every kid to get fed.
“What he’s done was amazing, outstanding. Once the fans are back in, Marcus Rashford could be the first Man Utd player to get a standing ovation here (at Anfield). He’d definitely deserve it because thousands of families are going to get fed now.”
Such rivalry was put aside to dish out such praise to the forward.
But while Rashford is a household name off the pitch, his career has stalled on it this season.
Indeed, the 24-year-old has seemingly felt the chaos at Old Trafford more than most, with reports now widespread that he could consider his future at the club should little change between now and the summer.
Coming less than 24 hours after a heavy 4-1 derby defeat to Man City, United bosses are said to be rather unimpressed at the timing of such public discontent.
But he could be forgiven for casting envious glances down the East Lancs Road at what Klopp has done with the players at his disposal.
Such is the animosity between Liverpool and United these days, it would appear unlikely that a player would ever move between them in the current climate. Even if it was one pushing for a transfer.
After all, having fought to knock the Red Devils’ hated rivals off their perch, Sir Alex Ferguson fought tooth and nail to ensure that would remain the case as recently as 2007 when Gabriel Heinze was denied a chance to move to Anfield in controversial circumstances.
But there aren't many players as tailor-made for Klopp's system as Rashford.
It's hard to escape the feeling that he'd have flourished at Anfield with his pace, positioning and eye for goal all fitting Klopp's preferred 4-3-3 formation.
And with the desired work ethic, married with the gegenpressing tactics that have been Klopp's trademark, Rashford has all the abilities to have been a success at any club managed by the German.
Klopp has said as much previously, singing out Rashford for praise when talking about the abilities of United's attack.
"It's a really good mix, the offensive potential they have," Klopp said of United last May.
"I don't know if you still consider - I don't know exactly, how old is Marcus Rashford? 21, 22, 23? He looks quite young, meanwhile, he is very experienced.
"One of this English generation's offensive players, which is absolutely incredible. If you count them all, you think, who would you want to leave out?... Wow, what a generation."
Rashford has ultimately failed to live up to such praise this season, registering just five goals from 24 appearances and making just 14 starts, with the forward arguably struggling since missing a penalty in last summer’s Euro 2020 final penalty shootout and missing the first two months of the campaign through injury.
Speaking before United’s derby defeat, Rangnick was determined to help Rashford return to form, however.
“With Marcus Rashford, we have another player who I will insist and continuously be behind him and with him, to develop him,” he said.
“We have achieved that with quite a few other young players in the past and I don’t see why this should not happen with Marcus.
“He’s got abundant talent, he’s got the pace, he’s got the physicality, he’s got everything that you need for a modern striker, no matter if he’s playing from the wing or in the centre.
“I will put all my energy into that, to help him to take the same pathway that other players did in the last three months.”
With Rangnick only interim manager at Old Trafford until the summer, it’s debatable whether he can really have the desired impact on Rashford’s career.
And that leaves him once again at the mercy of Old Trafford bosses to avoid another ill-thought out managerial appointment.
Indeed, with his contract .expiring in 2023, the same time as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino’s own deals at Anfield, a decision will most likely be made during the summer.
Unfortunately for Rashford, the future seems uncertain given his present circumstances.
There is no doubt Liverpool are the kind of club who could deliver what he wants.
Klopp has proved that in several ways - his team's attacking style and his skilful use of squad rotation chief among them.
But the reality is that a switch to Anfield would be a non-starter - with the chances of breaking the unspoken rule of no direct transfers between United and Liverpool less than slim.
