Rivalries: New England sports fans are all too familiar with grudge matches. The Celtics despise the Los Angeles Lakers. The Bruins have their own hatred for the Montreal Canadiens. The Patriots can't stand Rex Ryan and his New York Jets, and of course, there is the rivalry between the Red Sox and the New York Yankees? Sir Isaac Newton once said, "for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." For every team, there is a most-despised opponent.

Saturday saw the meeting of arguably the biggest of rivals in British soccer: Liverpool and Manchester United. The two most successful clubs in the English game played to a 1-1 tie in what is largely considered England's most intense matchup.

Each has its claim to fame: United has won a record 19 English League titles, setting the benchmark this past May at the expense of Liverpool, who has won an English best-of-five UEFA Champions League trophies. This rivalry is like Sox-Yanks on steroids: the intensity is indescribable.

As is common with many of these high-octane matches, which are played twice a year, both teams were content to play cautiously and close in the opening stages rather than go for the jugular. Host Liverpool had the better of the initial exchanges, racking up a decent amount of possessions. United, however, was not troubled by its opponents, as a 34th-minute effort from Liverpool forward Luis Suarez was hit straight at United goalkeeper David De Gea. The two sides went into the break with the game truly in balance at 0-0.

Following halftime, the game began to open up a bit more. Despite United having the better chances, as midfielder Ashley Young forced goalkeeper Pepe Reina into a save from a free kick, Liverpool grabbed the lead in the 68th minute through their own dead-ball situation. Captain Steven Gerrard, returning at midfield after a lengthy lay-off due to a groin injury, lined up a 20-yard free kick after midfield compatriot Charlie Adam was tripped by United center back Rio Ferdinand. He took two steps and sniped the ball between a gap in United's defensive wall and past a static De Gea into the net, sending Anfield into raptures.

United would respond 12 minutes later to tie the match at 1-1. Midfielder Nani, who had only recently come on as a substitute, whipped in an in-swinging corner from the left flank. The ball was flicked on by forward Danny Welbeck to the back post, where substitute strike partner Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez took advantage of some haphazard Liverpool defending to nod home and restore parity in the match with 10 minutes remaining.

Liverpool then had chances to steal the game at the death. Seconds after the restart, striker Dirk Kuyt—who scored a hat trick in a 3-1 win over United last season—was denied by a great save from De Gea. The Spanish custodian would then prove his side's savior moments later, tipping midfielder Jordan Henderson's looping effort over the bar. From the resultant corner, Liverpool had a few shots blocked, before Henderson placed a header onto the roof of the net with a few ticks left on the clock. The final whistle went, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

While Liverpool was most likely unhappy to see their three-match winning streak against their rivals at home end, they know that a point against the men from Manchester is nothing to sneeze at, especially considering their 6-0-1 mark heading in to the contest. United, however, will probably feel they too could have done better, especially when re-evaluating the defending that led to Gerrard's goal.

Though neither side emerged victorious on the day, it was a fair result given the balance of play between both teams.

Even though there will be cold in the air when these two sides meet again on Feb. 11 in Manchester, one can be sure the rivalry will remain as hot as ever.