View Full Version : Memories of classic matches in our history
MickMackPaddyWack
31-3-11, 17:25
It was suggested in another thread that those of us lucky enough to have witnessed some of the classic matches in our history might like to share our memories of those matches, so younger fans can get an idea of what it was like to have been there.
I think this is a great idea. us Liverpool fans have been very "lucky" to have been involved in some of history's greatest games, from Rome to Istanbul, Wembley to Aberdeen and all points in between.
As a 47 year old fan, who went to his 1st game in 1973, I feel very privileged to have witnessed some unbelievable highs and some terrible lows as a Liverpool fan, these experiences are what set us apart from the supporters of other clubs in my opinion, from the euphoria of Istanbul to the horror of Hillsborough and the ecstasy of Rome to the shame of Heysel, I have witnessed them all, I have shared these experiences with fellow reds, and that has cemented a bond between us unlike any other in world football.
I would like to kick off this thread with my memories of a day in our history that had the rest of the country scratching its head, unable to comprehend the bond between 2 sets of opposing fans, a day that had mancs, cockneys, brummies and Geordies green with envy at the widespread praise rightly piled on us scousers..... That day was 10th May 1986, the day of the 1st ever all Merseyside F.A. cup final.
Some people regard the 1985-86 season as the greatest season ever as far as Merseyside rivalry was concerned. Liverpool and Everton battled it out not just for the F.A.cup but also the 1st division title.
Liverpool triumphed at Goodison Park in September 85 with a narrow 3-2 win, leaving the red half of Merseyside in 2nd place in the league, just behind hated rivals Manchester united, and Everton trailing in 6th place. Everton gained revenge five months later with a 2-0 victory at Anfield, by this time the blue half of Merseyside where 8 points clear of us in the title race, and we where in 2nd place.
This was Kenny Dalglish's 1st season as player manager of Liverpool football club, and a fantastic late run in the league climaxed in Kenny scoring the winning goal at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool winning the title, 2 points clear of Everton in 2nd place. Cue Wembley Stadium on 10th May...
It seemed like the whole of Merseyside was hunting for that precious ticket for the F.A. cup final and spare tickets where as rare as rocking horse droppings. I was lucky, my season ticket serial number was drawn out, and I qualified for a ticket.
My mate also qualified for a ticket and a bluenose mate managed to get a ticket too, but his brother didn’t qualify for 1, but still decided to make the trip to Wembley without a ticket.
We decided to travel down by car, 2 reds and 2 blues sharing the car. So at 5am in the morning we where joining the motorway at the rocket, along with thousands of others. I have never seen the M62 so busy so early in the morning. The M6 was an unbelievable sight, Red and Blue everywhere you looked, and the amazing thing was that the 2 colours where not separated. Every car and coach was a mixture of both colours.
We decided to stop for breakfast at Watford gap services, and by the looks of things, so did half of Merseyside. the place was packed to the rafters, the poor staff where having a nightmare of a time coping with the influx of hundreds of scousers all eagerly looking for a bacon sarnie and a cup of tea, and in typical scouse fashion many of them had no intention of paying for it. I couldn’t stop laughing at the number of breakfasts being passed over the partition to adjoining tables, and people arriving at the tills with just a cup of tea on their tray.
Back on the M1 the red and blue wagon train made its way closer and closer to the famous twin towers. We arrived in the Wembley car park a little before 11am. We parked up and headed off to find somewhere to have a bevvy.
we eventually got a bevvy in a pub called the green parrot about 3/4 of a mile from Wembley, like every other pub for miles around, the place was heaving and it took ****** ages to get served, so when we eventually did get served it was "12 pints of lager please love" between the 4 of us, save fighting our way back to the bar.
After finishing our pints it was getting on for half 1, so we headed back up Wembley way towards the stadium. I had been to Wembley many times before, but I had never seen it as packed as it was this day, some estimates say there where 250 thousand scousers in London that day. Most of them without tickets, the stadium capacity was around 92,000.
There where people trying to bunk in everywhere you looked. People climbing up to windows, swinging precariously from 1 window to the other 40 foot up in the air. People hanging out of the windows offering their hands to the fans below for a bunk up. I had never seen anything like it in my life.
The 3 of us with tickets all had different turnstile numbers to go in, so we separated and headed to our turnstiles, having arranged to meet up once inside on the Wembley concourse. (You could walk right round in a full circle almost, once on the concourse).
The bluenose mate without a ticket was left to his own devises to try and get in, and we had arranged to meet him back at the car after the match.
When we met up inside we made our way onto the terracing behind the goal, the stewards had long given up trying to make sure that only people with the correct tickets got into each section. We ended up in the Liverpool section but there were also loads of bluenoses in there too.
Even now, 25 years later I still get a tingle down my spine when I remember the chants of "MERSEYSIDE, MERSEYSIDE, MERSEYSIDE” and "ARE YOU WATCHING MANCHESTER” were coming from all 4 corners of the stadium.
Just before kick off I needed a pee, so I headed down to the concourse. on the way down I looked out of the windows overlooking the Wembley car park and Wembley way, and despite the stadium being full already there was still thousands and thousands of people milling around outside.
the game kicked off, and Gary Lineker gave Everton an early lead, much to the delight of our bluenoses cousins, but an Ian Rush double and a beauty from Craig Johnson turned the final score 3-1 in our favour. I can still picture Ian Rush beating Neville Southall and knocking a camera placed at the back of the goal flying into the air.
The final whistle brought scenes of red euphoria and our 1st "Double" in Kenny’s 1st season as player manager.
we made our way out of the stadium, singing and dancing our way back to the car, much to the annoyance of my bluenose mate who had a ticket (he he he). We where expecting to see the other bluenoses mate (the 1 without a ticket) waiting by the car for us, but there was no sign of him. Instead we found a note under the windscreen wiper telling us that he had been hurt trying to bunk in and had been taken to a hospital in Islington if I remember correctly. So we piled into the car and headed off trying to find this hospital.
when we eventually found it, our mate was in a cubicle in A&E having broken his collarbone falling from 20 foot up in the air trying to climb up to a window (stupid sod). The doctor told us they where keeping him in for a couple of days, so we would be making the journey back up the M1 a mate light.
The journey home was somewhat subdued after this, and all the coaches had blue faces looking miserably out of the windows. But those of us in red made our way home with yet more happy memories of a glorious day.
:scarf:scarf:scarf
Brilliant. Great account and a good idea to get others to leave their memories. :)
That was a great period in Merseyside football. Two best teams in the land from the same city and London and Manchester nowhere to be seen. :scarf
IsvanCostmore
4-4-11, 19:21
Thanks Mick . I look forward to a lot more posts and memories. I haven't the time to add anything tonight but will in a week or so.
LordJamieOfCarragher
4-4-11, 20:01
Brilliant. Great account and a good idea to get others to leave their memories. :)
That was a great period in Merseyside football. Two best teams in the land from the same city and London and Manchester nowhere to be seen. :scarf
I think the banner Manchester - Trophy Free Zone made an appearance at the '86 cup final as well.
It was suggested in another thread that those of us lucky enough to have witnessed some of the classic matches in our history might like to share our memories of those matches, so younger fans can get an idea of what it was like to have been there.
I think this is a great idea. us Liverpool fans have been very "lucky" to have been involved in some of history's greatest games, from Rome to Istanbul, Wembley to Aberdeen and all points in between.
As a 47 year old fan, who went to his 1st game in 1973, I feel very privileged to have witnessed some unbelievable highs and some terrible lows as a Liverpool fan, these experiences are what set us apart from the supporters of other clubs in my opinion, from the euphoria of Istanbul to the horror of Hillsborough and the ecstasy of Rome to the shame of Heysel, I have witnessed them all, I have shared these experiences with fellow reds, and that has cemented a bond between us unlike any other in world football.
I would like to kick off this thread with my memories of a day in our history that had the rest of the country scratching its head, unable to comprehend the bond between 2 sets of opposing fans, a day that had mancs, cockneys, brummies and Geordies green with envy at the widespread praise rightly piled on us scousers..... That day was 10th May 1986, the day of the 1st ever all Merseyside F.A. cup final.
Some people regard the 1985-86 season as the greatest season ever as far as Merseyside rivalry was concerned. Liverpool and Everton battled it out not just for the F.A.cup but also the 1st division title.
Liverpool triumphed at Goodison Park in September 85 with a narrow 3-2 win, leaving the red half of Merseyside in 2nd place in the league, just behind hated rivals Manchester united, and Everton trailing in 6th place. Everton gained revenge five months later with a 2-0 victory at Anfield, by this time the blue half of Merseyside where 8 points clear of us in the title race, and we where in 2nd place.
This was Kenny Dalglish's 1st season as player manager of Liverpool football club, and a fantastic late run in the league climaxed in Kenny scoring the winning goal at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool winning the title, 2 points clear of Everton in 2nd place. Cue Wembley Stadium on 10th May...
It seemed like the whole of Merseyside was hunting for that precious ticket for the F.A. cup final and spare tickets where as rare as rocking horse droppings. I was lucky, my season ticket serial number was drawn out, and I qualified for a ticket.
My mate also qualified for a ticket and a bluenose mate managed to get a ticket too, but his brother didn’t qualify for 1, but still decided to make the trip to Wembley without a ticket.
We decided to travel down by car, 2 reds and 2 blues sharing the car. So at 5am in the morning we where joining the motorway at the rocket, along with thousands of others. I have never seen the M62 so busy so early in the morning. The M6 was an unbelievable sight, Red and Blue everywhere you looked, and the amazing thing was that the 2 colours where not separated. Every car and coach was a mixture of both colours.
We decided to stop for breakfast at Watford gap services, and by the looks of things, so did half of Merseyside. the place was packed to the rafters, the poor staff where having a nightmare of a time coping with the influx of hundreds of scousers all eagerly looking for a bacon sarnie and a cup of tea, and in typical scouse fashion many of them had no intention of paying for it. I couldn’t stop laughing at the number of breakfasts being passed over the partition to adjoining tables, and people arriving at the tills with just a cup of tea on their tray.
Back on the M1 the red and blue wagon train made its way closer and closer to the famous twin towers. We arrived in the Wembley car park a little before 11am. We parked up and headed off to find somewhere to have a bevvy.
we eventually got a bevvy in a pub called the green parrot about 3/4 of a mile from Wembley, like every other pub for miles around, the place was heaving and it took ****** ages to get served, so when we eventually did get served it was "12 pints of lager please love" between the 4 of us, save fighting our way back to the bar.
After finishing our pints it was getting on for half 1, so we headed back up Wembley way towards the stadium. I had been to Wembley many times before, but I had never seen it as packed as it was this day, some estimates say there where 250 thousand scousers in London that day. Most of them without tickets, the stadium capacity was around 92,000.
There where people trying to bunk in everywhere you looked. People climbing up to windows, swinging precariously from 1 window to the other 40 foot up in the air. People hanging out of the windows offering their hands to the fans below for a bunk up. I had never seen anything like it in my life.
The 3 of us with tickets all had different turnstile numbers to go in, so we separated and headed to our turnstiles, having arranged to meet up once inside on the Wembley concourse. (You could walk right round in a full circle almost, once on the concourse).
The bluenose mate without a ticket was left to his own devises to try and get in, and we had arranged to meet him back at the car after the match.
When we met up inside we made our way onto the terracing behind the goal, the stewards had long given up trying to make sure that only people with the correct tickets got into each section. We ended up in the Liverpool section but there were also loads of bluenoses in there too.
Even now, 25 years later I still get a tingle down my spine when I remember the chants of "MERSEYSIDE, MERSEYSIDE, MERSEYSIDE” and "ARE YOU WATCHING MANCHESTER” were coming from all 4 corners of the stadium.
Just before kick off I needed a pee, so I headed down to the concourse. on the way down I looked out of the windows overlooking the Wembley car park and Wembley way, and despite the stadium being full already there was still thousands and thousands of people milling around outside.
the game kicked off, and Gary Lineker gave Everton an early lead, much to the delight of our bluenoses cousins, but an Ian Rush double and a beauty from Craig Johnson turned the final score 3-1 in our favour. I can still picture Ian Rush beating Neville Southall and knocking a camera placed at the back of the goal flying into the air.
The final whistle brought scenes of red euphoria and our 1st "Double" in Kenny’s 1st season as player manager.
we made our way out of the stadium, singing and dancing our way back to the car, much to the annoyance of my bluenose mate who had a ticket (he he he). We where expecting to see the other bluenoses mate (the 1 without a ticket) waiting by the car for us, but there was no sign of him. Instead we found a note under the windscreen wiper telling us that he had been hurt trying to bunk in and had been taken to a hospital in Islington if I remember correctly. So we piled into the car and headed off trying to find this hospital.
when we eventually found it, our mate was in a cubicle in A&E having broken his collarbone falling from 20 foot up in the air trying to climb up to a window (stupid sod). The doctor told us they where keeping him in for a couple of days, so we would be making the journey back up the M1 a mate light.
The journey home was somewhat subdued after this, and all the coaches had blue faces looking miserably out of the windows. But those of us in red made our way home with yet more happy memories of a glorious day.
:scarf:scarf:scarf
Cheers for that I'll try and add some match reports from classic games
Repped :scarf
Setanta ireland showing re-runs of some liverpool games from nineties at moment.
Earlier on saw them against Norwich in 93-94 season.. Rob Jones got in two terrific challenges.
Was Roy Evans first game in charge. They finished eighth that season.
Anyone care to name the scorers? It was 2-2
To reply goal scorers were John Barnes and Mark Waters. Bryan Gunn was sent off for handling outside box and was annoyed because he felt Pool players had played an adverse hand in getting him sent off.
Before that he pulled off one amazing save when turning a deflected effort from Walters around the posts.
Quite interesting looking at the old matches so anyone with Setanta Ireland should take a look at them. They are shown quite regularly.
Wouldnt say that team was anything special looking at them. Collymore subsequently signing for the team gave them a spark initially but a signing that never realized his full potential.
Setanta ireland showing re-runs of some liverpool games from nineties at moment.
Earlier on saw them against Norwich in 93-94 season.. Rob Jones got in two terrific challenges.
Was Roy Evans first game in charge. They finished eighth that season.
Anyone care to name the scorers? It was 2-2
Norwich City 2 - 2 Liverpool
Game date: 05.02.1994 Stadium: Carrow Road
Competition: Premier League Attendance: 19,746
Starting line-up
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Rob Jones
3 Julian Dicks
5 Mark Wright
7 Nigel Clough
10 John Barnes
11 Mark Walters
12 Ronnie Whelan
17 Steve McManaman
21 Dominic Matteo
9 Ian Rush
Subs
13 David James
19 Torben Piechnik
6 Don Hutchison
Goals
Ian Culverhouse O/G 53'
John Barnes 77'
- Roy Evans' first game as Liverpool's manager.
Gunn had to go says City boss
Furious Bryan Gunn raced 20 yards to confront Banbury referee Dermot Gallagher after John Barnes grabbed a controversial late Liverpool equaliser.
The Norwich goalkeeper appeared to have been impeded by Ian Rush in the build-up. But his angry protest left Mr Gallagher unmoved and there was worse to follow for the Scottish international.
With just over a minute left, Gunn raced from his goal to handle outside the penalty area under pressure from Steve McManaman. Referee Gallagher had no alternative but to produce the red card although it took him some time to persuade Gunn to leave the field.
Norwich sent on Scottish Under-21 international goalkeeper Scott Howie as substitute and with his first touch in the first team he sent Julian Dicks' free-kick around the post.
Liverpool's new manager Roy Evans will have been delighted with the fighting spirit in his makeshift side as they came back to salvage a point after twice trailing.
Norwich chairman Robert Chase slapped a 6 million pound price tag on England Under-21 striker Chris Sutton - and he looked to be worth every penny. He darted in to open the scoring after 12 minutes when an Efan Ekoku cross hit Mark Wright and bounced past Bruce Grobbelaar.
But after an Ian Culverhouse 53rd minute own goal had brought Liverpool level, Sutton produced a real gem. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he spun to beat Grobbelaar with a curling shot for his 10th goal in nine games and his 20th of the season.
Norwich missed a stack of chances to put the result beyond doubt before Barnes sparked off the late drama with his controversial equaliser.
Norwich manager John Deehan had no complaints about goalkeeper Gunn's sending-off.
Deehan said: "The referee made the right decision. Bryan had to go."
Gunn, who argued with the referee for some minutes before leaving the field, refused to comment on the incident afterwards or about his earlier protests when Barnes shot Liverpool's second equaliser.
Deehan added: "We are our own worst enemies at the moment. We keep letting the opposition back into games and no team is better at doing that than Liverpool. We should have killed the game off by going two goals ahead but we couldn't manage it."
Deehan maintained Sutton would not be the next departure from Carrow Road following winger Ruel Fox's 2.25 million pound move to Newcastle United in midweek.
"Chris is going nowhere," said Deehan.
Evans admitted he felt the tension before his first game in charge, saying: "I was a little more nervous than usual and I felt the pressure but the players took it off me. They were absolutely magnificent and showed enormous spirit to come back twice."
Cheers for that. What was interesting I guess is that Roy after fininshing eighth remained on.
Is there more pressure on our managers to perform now. Rafa has raised the bar so much now that I think we can never expect to be happy with a relatively low finish in table.
Was the problem that we did not act quick enough in nineties to ensure we did not fall to far behind the pack?
Cheers for that. What was interesting I guess is that Roy after fininshing eighth remained on.
Is there more pressure on our managers to perform now. Rafa has raised the bar so much now that I think we can never expect to be happy with a relatively low finish in table.
Was the problem that we did not act quick enough in nineties to ensure we did not fall to far behind the pack?
I think a lot of our problems came under Souness when he sold Beardsley & Ray Houghton two of our best players we also signed some very mediocre players.We never really replaced the quality of Those 2 and Ray Houghton scored a lot of goals.The biggest crime was the £1M we got from Everton for Beardsley.Maybe Souness was under pressure to sell we will never know.
I think with Roy he was too much a nice guy who was coach for many years and knew everything about the players but I think the players also knew him inside out too.As soon as Houllier came the writing was on for Roy one of the nicest guys ever at LFC.
I think a lot of our problems came under Souness when he sold Beardsley & Ray Houghton two of our best players we also signed some very mediocre players.We never really replaced the quality of Those 2 and Ray Houghton scored a lot of goals.The biggest crime was the £1M we got from Everton for Beardsley.Maybe Souness was under pressure to sell we will never know.
I think with Roy he was too much a nice guy who was coach for many years and knew everything about the players but I think the players also knew him inside out too.As soon as Houllier came the writing was on for Roy one of the nicest guys ever at LFC.
I heard one anecdote about Roy where players used to park in his space. Team discipline seems to have been a problem around that time.
I heard one anecdote about Roy where players used to park in his space. Team discipline seems to have been a problem around that time.
Yep seem to remember Fowler,McManaman & Jamie Redknapp where known as the spice boys.
There was also an incident involving Steve Harkness,Neil Ruddock and Robbie Fowler when Harkness thought it would be a laugh to relieve himself in Robbies shoes on a flight back from a European game,Robbie & Neil where asleep and Robbie woke up first and demanded to know who the culprit was some of the players pointed to Neil for a laugh so Robbie took a brand new pair of Gucci shoes worth £300 from Neil's bag and cut them up.When Neil awoke the was hell to pay and the argument went on untill the players reached the arrivals hall when Neil demanded a new pair from Robbie.Robbie refused and it ended up with robbie getting a ****** nose.
Heard story about when Liverpool where over here and Evans got it in the face when he tried to break up a fight in a hotel lobby.
And then there was very famous time when a bunch of united fans just happened to drop into a city centre pub occupied by Liverpool fans.
All hell broke loose.
Bangor City 1 - 4 Liverpool
Game date: 27.01.1979 Stadium: Farrar Road
Competition: Friendly Attendance: 2,500
Goals
Kenny Dalglish 18'
Kenny Dalglish 38'
David Fairclough 35'
Terry McDermott 31' pen
Clemence, Neal, A. Kennedy, Hansen, Hughes, McDermott, Case, R. Kennedy, Souness, Fairclough, Dalglish.
Came on as subs: Johnson, Heighway.
Here is a friendly I went to it was arranged quite late because our game in div one was postponed because of the weather we only found out about 9am on the morning so we went and when we got there the match was in doubt cos the pitch was covered in snow and for it to go ahead we had to shovel the snow off the pitch :D
Great post scousemick1963, absolutely loved reading it...... having watched it all day on TV as a kid, knowing that your account is 1st hand and live, makes me wish I had been there.
From the pics it did seem like there were x3 the amount of fans in London, compared to the amount entering the stadium. Must've been amazing, and something you'll forever speak about.
God bless you mate ..........
LFC for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:scarf:scarf:scarf
Anyone remember the 1980 FA Cup epic between Arsenal and Pool. An epic contest.
More here below (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/04/01/arsenal-v-liverpool-we-faced-gunners-five-times-in-1980-100252-20701862/)
This an amusing little story here from said article.
I remember those cup ties vividly,” said Fairclough, who scored in the first FA Cup semi-final replay at Villa Park.
“But it was an incident before the matches which I probably remember most.
“Before the first game Bob Paisley had delivered his team talk and told us ‘You’ll have to keep an eye out for the boy Osborne coming late on the scene.’
“We all looked around at each other muttering ‘Osborne?’
“Aye,” said Bob “Osborne. You know, the lad from Ipswich.”
“There were a few more puzzled faces until someone whispered ‘He means Brian Talbot. He signed from Ipswich.’
Anyway to continue, just finished watching our five nil demolition of Derby County in the 78-79 season.
There were many unsung heros on both teams. Jimmy Case and Stevie Heighway gave us great width while Kenny Dalglish and Ray Kennedy both got two goals that day. .
Dalglish's second goal came as a result of some unselfish play from Hansen but perhaps the highlight of the game was a terrific goal linke clearance from
Derby County and Irish defender, Dave Langan.
Langan was one of the great servants of Irish football and his clearance is available on the net.
It was suggested in another thread that those of us lucky enough to have witnessed some of the classic matches in our history might like to share our memories of those matches, so younger fans can get an idea of what it was like to have been there.
I think this is a great idea. us Liverpool fans have been very "lucky" to have been involved in some of history's greatest games, from Rome to Istanbul, Wembley to Aberdeen and all points in between.
As a 47 year old fan, who went to his 1st game in 1973, I feel very privileged to have witnessed some unbelievable highs and some terrible lows as a Liverpool fan, these experiences are what set us apart from the supporters of other clubs in my opinion, from the euphoria of Istanbul to the horror of Hillsborough and the ecstasy of Rome to the shame of Heysel, I have witnessed them all, I have shared these experiences with fellow reds, and that has cemented a bond between us unlike any other in world football.
I would like to kick off this thread with my memories of a day in our history that had the rest of the country scratching its head, unable to comprehend the bond between 2 sets of opposing fans, a day that had mancs, cockneys, brummies and Geordies green with envy at the widespread praise rightly piled on us scousers..... That day was 10th May 1986, the day of the 1st ever all Merseyside F.A. cup final.
Some people regard the 1985-86 season as the greatest season ever as far as Merseyside rivalry was concerned. Liverpool and Everton battled it out not just for the F.A.cup but also the 1st division title.
Liverpool triumphed at Goodison Park in September 85 with a narrow 3-2 win, leaving the red half of Merseyside in 2nd place in the league, just behind hated rivals Manchester united, and Everton trailing in 6th place. Everton gained revenge five months later with a 2-0 victory at Anfield, by this time the blue half of Merseyside where 8 points clear of us in the title race, and we where in 2nd place.
This was Kenny Dalglish's 1st season as player manager of Liverpool football club, and a fantastic late run in the league climaxed in Kenny scoring the winning goal at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool winning the title, 2 points clear of Everton in 2nd place. Cue Wembley Stadium on 10th May...
It seemed like the whole of Merseyside was hunting for that precious ticket for the F.A. cup final and spare tickets where as rare as rocking horse droppings. I was lucky, my season ticket serial number was drawn out, and I qualified for a ticket.
My mate also qualified for a ticket and a bluenose mate managed to get a ticket too, but his brother didn’t qualify for 1, but still decided to make the trip to Wembley without a ticket.
We decided to travel down by car, 2 reds and 2 blues sharing the car. So at 5am in the morning we where joining the motorway at the rocket, along with thousands of others. I have never seen the M62 so busy so early in the morning. The M6 was an unbelievable sight, Red and Blue everywhere you looked, and the amazing thing was that the 2 colours where not separated. Every car and coach was a mixture of both colours.
We decided to stop for breakfast at Watford gap services, and by the looks of things, so did half of Merseyside. the place was packed to the rafters, the poor staff where having a nightmare of a time coping with the influx of hundreds of scousers all eagerly looking for a bacon sarnie and a cup of tea, and in typical scouse fashion many of them had no intention of paying for it. I couldn’t stop laughing at the number of breakfasts being passed over the partition to adjoining tables, and people arriving at the tills with just a cup of tea on their tray.
Back on the M1 the red and blue wagon train made its way closer and closer to the famous twin towers. We arrived in the Wembley car park a little before 11am. We parked up and headed off to find somewhere to have a bevvy.
we eventually got a bevvy in a pub called the green parrot about 3/4 of a mile from Wembley, like every other pub for miles around, the place was heaving and it took ****** ages to get served, so when we eventually did get served it was "12 pints of lager please love" between the 4 of us, save fighting our way back to the bar.
After finishing our pints it was getting on for half 1, so we headed back up Wembley way towards the stadium. I had been to Wembley many times before, but I had never seen it as packed as it was this day, some estimates say there where 250 thousand scousers in London that day. Most of them without tickets, the stadium capacity was around 92,000.
There where people trying to bunk in everywhere you looked. People climbing up to windows, swinging precariously from 1 window to the other 40 foot up in the air. People hanging out of the windows offering their hands to the fans below for a bunk up. I had never seen anything like it in my life.
The 3 of us with tickets all had different turnstile numbers to go in, so we separated and headed to our turnstiles, having arranged to meet up once inside on the Wembley concourse. (You could walk right round in a full circle almost, once on the concourse).
The bluenose mate without a ticket was left to his own devises to try and get in, and we had arranged to meet him back at the car after the match.
When we met up inside we made our way onto the terracing behind the goal, the stewards had long given up trying to make sure that only people with the correct tickets got into each section. We ended up in the Liverpool section but there were also loads of bluenoses in there too.
Even now, 25 years later I still get a tingle down my spine when I remember the chants of "MERSEYSIDE, MERSEYSIDE, MERSEYSIDE” and "ARE YOU WATCHING MANCHESTER” were coming from all 4 corners of the stadium.
Just before kick off I needed a pee, so I headed down to the concourse. on the way down I looked out of the windows overlooking the Wembley car park and Wembley way, and despite the stadium being full already there was still thousands and thousands of people milling around outside.
the game kicked off, and Gary Lineker gave Everton an early lead, much to the delight of our bluenoses cousins, but an Ian Rush double and a beauty from Craig Johnson turned the final score 3-1 in our favour. I can still picture Ian Rush beating Neville Southall and knocking a camera placed at the back of the goal flying into the air.
The final whistle brought scenes of red euphoria and our 1st "Double" in Kenny’s 1st season as player manager.
we made our way out of the stadium, singing and dancing our way back to the car, much to the annoyance of my bluenose mate who had a ticket (he he he). We where expecting to see the other bluenoses mate (the 1 without a ticket) waiting by the car for us, but there was no sign of him. Instead we found a note under the windscreen wiper telling us that he had been hurt trying to bunk in and had been taken to a hospital in Islington if I remember correctly. So we piled into the car and headed off trying to find this hospital.
when we eventually found it, our mate was in a cubicle in A&E having broken his collarbone falling from 20 foot up in the air trying to climb up to a window (stupid sod). The doctor told us they where keeping him in for a couple of days, so we would be making the journey back up the M1 a mate light.
The journey home was somewhat subdued after this, and all the coaches had blue faces looking miserably out of the windows. But those of us in red made our way home with yet more happy memories of a glorious day.
:scarf:scarf:scarf
Brilliant post mate.
I was lucky that I passed my driving test that year and as soon as my first car was bought I was over to Annie and fortunate enough to see the league title lifted against Spurs; 4 lads in a car share all for a tenner; £5 quid petrol; £3.50 in the Kop and a quid for some scabby chips and peas.
In those days the songs went on in the queues for ages before you got in; "We're on the march with Kennys army" was ringing round the queues and long down the street; that feeling of joining in was awesome; you've joined joined the Kopites; you're one of them - proudest day of my life bar none - FACT then the relief of paying in and hearing the dreaded alarm to say the Kop was full.
Marvellous days.
One match that sticks in my mind was the FA Cup Semi Final against the mancs on 13th April 1985 at Goodison.
To be honest I cant remember much about the game itself...but I do remember Paul Walsh's (a sub for John Wark) equaliser in the last minute of extra time....Dalglish came down the left wing floated it in Rushie headed against the bar and it dropped in front of Walshie who scrambled it home.......then I remember delirium.....falling over,getting up falling over at the gwladys street end and then getting ridiculously drunk at the pub by Lime Street Station, smuggling some take aways on to the train back to Euston then falling asleep on the tube back to Heathrow waking up back in central London.....oh well!!!
The replay was as usual a BIG anticlimax at Maine Rd., where I got struck by a missile thrown by those lovely lovely mancs.....
One match that sticks in my mind was the FA Cup Semi Final against the mancs on 13th April 1985 at Goodison.
To be honest I cant remember much about the game itself...but I do remember Paul Walsh's (a sub for John Wark) equaliser in the last minute of extra time....Dalglish came down the left wing floated it in Rushie headed against the bar and it dropped in front of Walshie who scrambled it home.......then I remember delirium.....falling over,getting up falling over at the gwladys street end and then getting ridiculously drunk at the pub by Lime Street Station, smuggling some take aways on to the train back to Euston then falling asleep on the tube back to Heathrow waking up back in central London.....oh well!!!
The replay was as usual a BIG anticlimax at Maine Rd., where I got struck by a missile thrown by those lovely lovely mancs.....
Liverpool 2 - 2 Manchester United
Game date: 13.04.1985 Stadium: Goodison Park
Competition: FA Cup Semi-final Attendance: 51,690
Starting line-up
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Phil Neal
3 Jim Beglin
4 Mark Lawrenson
5 Sammy Lee
6 Alan Hansen
7 Kenny Dalglish
8 Ronnie Whelan
9 Ian Rush
10 Kevin MacDonald
11 John Wark
Subs
12 Paul Walsh
Goals
Ronnie Whelan 87'
Paul Walsh 119'
Substitutions
John Wark out for Paul Walsh 59'
************************************************** ********
Liverpool 1 - 2 Manchester United
Game date: 17.04.1985 Stadium: Maine Road
Competition: FA Cup Semi-final replay Attendance: 45,775
Starting line-up
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Phil Neal
3 Jim Beglin
4 Mark Lawrenson
5 Steve Nicol
6 Alan Hansen
7 Kenny Dalglish
8 Ronnie Whelan
9 Paul Walsh
10 Kevin MacDonald
11 John Wark
Subs
12 Gary Gillespie
Goals
Paul McGrath O/G 39'
Substitutions
Kenny Dalglish out for Gary Gillespie 77'
2-2
us in all yellow.
kenny cuts in from the byline,beats 2 players,slips it into the net.
GREAT GOAL,GREAT MEMORY
On this day in 1989
Today In History
May 20th
EVERTON V LIVERPOOL
FA CUP FINAL
WEMBLEY STADIUM
20-5-1989
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Gary Ablett
3 Steve Staunton (Barry Venison)
4 Steve Nicol
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Alan Hansen
7 Peter Beardsley
8 John Aldridge (Ian Rush)
9 Ray Houghton
10 John Barnes
11 Steve McMahon
Won 3-2 AET
Aldridge 4'
Rush 94' 103'
Att
82,800
:scarf
Today In History
May 25th
LIVERPOOL V BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH
EUROPEAN CUP FINAL
OLYMPIC STADIUM - ROME
25-5-1977
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Ray Clemence
2 Phil Neal
3 Joey Jones
4 Tommy Smith
5 Ray Kennedy
6 Emlyn Hughes
7 Kevin Keegan
8 Jimmy Case
9 Steve Heighway
10 Ian Callaghan
11 Terry McDermott
Won 3-1
McDermott 27'
Smith 64'
Neal 82' (Pen)
Att
56,000
*Red's win the European Cup for the 1st time*
:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf
Liverpool Daily Post report
ENGLAND can be proud of Liverpool. Merseyside certainly is. In becoming the second English side to bring the European Cup home, they comprehensively accounted for Borussia Moenchengladbach.
In the end the scoreboard said it all with just one word in capital letters - LIVERPOOL..
Emlyn Hughes and his team of heroes will never forget this night in Rome, for the massed thousands gave them a tremendous salutation as they paraded the cup before them.
Liverpool had proved themselves Europe's finest team, and if there had been an award for the finest supporters then Liverpool would have won that as well with just as great a margin.
Liverpool, deprived of their fabulous treble chance by Manchester United on Saturday, achieved the unique double of becoming English champions and European champions in the same season. It was a mark of their tremendous ability that this was the second successive season in which they have gained a double. Last season it was the league and the UEFA Cup.
Liverpool fans can now chant with pride and authority what they have been rehearsing for weeks - "Champions of Europe".
Liverpool proved their tremendous nervelessness, for after losing the lead given them by Terry McDermott, they stormed back in the second half with a leading goal from veteran Tommy Smith, whose 600th and final game this was. To complete the picture Phil Neal, the penalty king, slotted the ball home after Kevin Keegan had been fouled.
By contrast with the Germans, highly nervous and lacking confidence in their own ability, Liverpool dropped into top gear from the start and stayed there.
Only when the Germans gained their equaliser through Simonsen did they spring into action. To them it was like the kiss of life, but Liverpool weathered the storm and all came right in the end.
Keegan in his farewell flourish wrote his name over this game. Borussia's ace defender, experienced international Vogts, made Keegan's total subjection his night's work. He stuck as closely to him as the jersey on his back.
That he coped at all for so long was due to the referee's benevolent interpretation of blatant pushes in the back, but he paid the final penalty by conceding a penalty kick. It was McDermott who emerged as Liverpool's first scoring hero after 27 minutes when a goal was so badly needed.
There was all the similarity of Wembley, with Liverpool in control but leaving everyone fearful of a replay, with Borussia in the villain's role instead of Manchester United.
THE decision to play Ian Callaghan in midfield was a triumph for manager Bob Paisley's judgment, for, like the rest of the middle, his was a dominant part in winning possession and using it in inspired style in his 13th season and 83rd game in Europe - an English record.
He it was who stole possession from Bonhof at half way in 27 minutes. The German disdained to follow and off went the pass to Heighway. He jinked inside and placed the perfect pass in front of the fast-running McDermott, who beat the out-coming Kneib with a precision placing. For fully half a minute the jubilant fans filled the air with the chanting of the name of their scoring hero as they sensed that here were the beginnings of a Roman holiday.
It might all have been very much different, for Liverpool's goal was saved by no more than an inch or so after 22 minutes when Bonhoff beat Clemence's dive only to find the ball thudding back off the post.
The Germans were as jumpy as kangaroos as Liverpool's ascendancy tightened and their fans appeared to have lost their voices. In contrast, the singing, chanting and cheering was continuous from the Liverpool crowd who made their end of the ground like a red cloud reaching up into the sky.
Maybe it was the red jerseys that did it, but last night's display was as redblooded and efficient as we have come to expect from this all-conquering combination.
The game was stood on its head in 55 minutes when a misplaced Case pass was picked up by Simonsen who beat Clemence with a perfect drive from the corner of the box.
It was then that the Germans subjected Liverpool to their most nervous minutes, for twice they had scoring chances, the better one being when Clemence failed to cut out a cross and Simonsen had the goal at his mercy.
Just short of the hour, Liverpool claimed strongly for a penalty when Vogts brought down Keegan, but the referee ruled play on. Liverpool were still not out of the wood and they had an escape when Clemence on 63 minutes beat out a Stielike shot with his knees as the German centre forward was running clear from Simonsen's cross.
Simonsen was almost the only spark of German hope, but the creeping doubts dissolved into thin air after 64 minutes when Tommy Smith marked his farewell display by stealing forward for a Heighway corner kick. He thundered the ball into the net with an unstoppable header.
Now the Germans had to go over the top in the hope of mounting a stabilising raid and, having already shown their teeth, Liverpool had to meet the assault with all guns blazing. This they did, and it was only a question of minutes before the ascendancy was regained.
By this time the Liverpool fans had no doubt. They were sending up rockets - and they were not rockets of distress. With 10 minutes to go, Moenchengladbach played their last ace by introducing their second substitute.
David Fairclough had trotted round as if ready to take part, but it would have been an injustice to have withdrawn any of the 11 Liverpool heroes.Everybody was happy when Fairclough resumed his seat on the substitutes' bench. What a team performance this was, with not a doubtful link anywhere. The crown fits snugly where it belongs.
Vogts, continuing to foul his way through the game, did it once too often as a superb run took Keegan into the penalty area.
THERE was no hesitation by the referee in pointing to the spot, for Keegan was in a scoring position for what would have been his 100th goal for the club, and when about to drive home was unceremoniously felled. On 82 minutes, Neal slotted home goal number three from the spot, and it was all over.
Anfield has never seen greater enthusiasm and more flag and banner waving than the Liverpudlians put on for the Italians last night. The Germans, well beaten, lost their heads and Stielike's name went into the referee's book.
LIVERPOOL: Clemence, Neal, Jones, Smith, Kennedy, Hughes, Keegan, Case, Heighway, Callaghan, McDermott.
BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH: Kneib, Vogts, Klinkhammer, Wittkamp, Bonhof, Wohlers (Hannes) Simonsen, Wimmer (Kulik), Stielike, Schaeffer, Heynckes.
REFEREE: Mr R Wurtz (France)
ATT: 57,000
MAN OF THE MATCH: Kevin Keegan - Ran Vogts ragged until coaxing the German into the foul challenge that sealed this glorious success
By Horace Yates at The Olympic Stadium
Today In History
May 25th
AC MILAN V LIVERPOOL
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
ATATURK OLIMPIYAT STADIUM
ISTANBUL
25-5-2005
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Jerzy Dudek
Steve Finnan (Dietmar Hamann)
Sami Hyypia
John Arne Riise
Djimi Traore
Jamie Carragher
Harry Kewell (Vladimir Smicer)
Steven Gerrard
Xabi Alonso
Luis Garcia
Milan Baros (Djibril Cisse)
Drew 3-3 (AET)
Gerrard 54'
Smicer 56'
Alonso 59'
Won 3-2 on Pens
Hamann
Cisse
Smicer
Att
65,000
Reds win the European Cup/Champions League for the 5th time*
:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf
Liverpool Echo report
WHEN you get homesick nothing will stop you returning to the arms of those you love.
AC Milan had a few tricks up their sleeves to keep the European Cup away from her spiritual base. They tempted her with sublime skills, destructive finishing and a fairytale script, courtesy of their legendary captain.
Paolo Maldini wasn't just holding the trophy at halftime, he was planning his fifth acceptance speech.
What he never foresaw was the homing device triggered by 35,000 Liverpool fans in the Ataturk Stadium who inspired their side to transform the most humiliating night in their history to the most triumphant.
The European Cup didn't fancy Paolo. She wanted Steven but it took a series of remarkable chat-up lines from the Liverpool manager to ensure his skipper got his wicked way. The only reason Liverpool weren't fatally wounded by a first half blitz is the fortunate fact immortals can't be destroyed.
Gerrard and company have rewritten football "possibilities" throughout this campaign but even the heroic efforts of Olympiakos, Juventus and Chelsea were rendered insignificant compared to this.
It shouldn't have happened. Some of us aren't convinced it did. Only the pinch marks confirm it. We thought it was all over. It wasn't.
Liverpool fans faced a sickening dilemma. What do you do when your side is 3-0 down in the Champions League final to a side superior in every position?
Praying was one option. Another, which was rather attractive at half time last night, was to grab the nearest taxi back to Taksin Square and drink the night away trying to forget the embarrassment they had just suffered.
The other alternative, which one red-shirted gent decided was more favourable, was to start an impromptu rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, drowned in the kind of sentimentality Liverpool's opponents find repulsive.
But the 35,000 didn't sing it with hope in their hearts, nor with fire in their bellies. It was poignant rather than passionate.
The tear in the eye wasn't one of joy but despair. A mere 45 minutes into a ceremony 21 years in preparation and a dream had died. As the second chorus faded Liverpool's players ran back onto the pitch to an astonishing ovation.
The cresendo of noise somehow injected volumes of self-belief into the hitherto drained souls. The inspirational orchestrator of the famous anthem had perfectly complimented Rafa Benitez's team talk.
He had inadvertently inspired the greatest fightback ever witnessed in any football stadium in any decade by any team ever. Okay, a few belated but painfully necessary tactical changes helped.
The previous manager's fatal mis-take in this competition was subbing Didi Hamman during a crucial European clash three years ago. Far more serious was the decision to omit him completely. Benitez made an astonishing gamble, abandoning caution for an attacking formation which backfired so hideously, the away end resembled a series of portraits of Edward Munch's The Scream.
Everything which could go wrong did, until Harry Kewell was injured.
Djini Traore endured a nightmare start, conceding possession and then a free kick which allowed Maldini to score in his seventh final.
Then Kewell, a surprising choice, pulled a muscle and limped out of his second showpiece of the season. Whether this was a blow or a blessing was debatable. The choice of Vladimir Smicer ahead of the overlooked anchorman, however, ensured the only immediate change was to Liverpool's detriment.
Not because of Smicer who gave the performance of a player who should be signing a new deal rather than waving goodbye, rather Liverpool's defence remained exposed.
The Reds pushed for an equaliser as if eight minutes remained, not 89. And they were duly punished. With no riot gear to protect them the defence was left bruised by the combined force of Kaka, Crespo and Shevchenko. Three-nil could have been five but for Luis Garcia's goal line clearance and a generous offside flag when Gerrard's tackle sent Shevchenko clean through.
"It's embarrassing," admitted Jamie Carragher later.
If a black hole had appeared in the centre circle some of the players would have dived into it, swiftly followed by the fans.
Halftime was a painkiller. Not losing by more than three represented a triumph.
What followed defied logic. If Elvis rose from the grave, brushed off his white suit and announced plans for a world tour we'd still say it wasn't as good a comeback as Liverpool's in Istanbul.
Freed by the essentially restored Didi Hamman, Gerrard started to advance. The most important cross of John Arne-Riise's life found the skipper's head.
Then Smicer matched his former nemesis thanks to Dida's careless dive. Yes, Smithy, Vlad has now scored a crucial European Cup goal just as you did!
The improbable was suddenly possible. By the time Gennaro Gattuso (the biggest culprit when it came to counting chickens at halftime) tripped Gerrard Liverpool were rampant. Gattuso should have seen red. Liverpool's equaliser at the second attempt from Xabi Alonso was an acceptable consolation.
But the momentum shifted back to Milan. The Reds looked like they had punched above their weight once too often. The only winner seemed destined to come from a white shirt with Shevchenko and the increasingly confident Dudek engaging in a personal duel.
When the Pole made an astonishing double save with two minutes of extra time remaining rumour had it the engraver started with an L on the famous trophy.
Penalties were still Liverpool's only hope. The spirit of 1984 was enacted. Dudek was the hero. What's likely to be his final appearance for Liverpool will sit comfortably alongside the images of Bruce Grobbelaar - although the Pole's weren't the only knees wobbling by this stage.
All that remained was for Gerrard to grab his prize.
The European Cup seemed to radiate a smile which beamed as broad as the skipper's face.
The dreams of the captain, the manager, the squad and fans were realised in a way the most elaborate fantasist couldn't have imagined.
Finally a new generation of Liverpool fans and players know how it feels to be no games from greatness.
And the European Cup is coming home.
Copyright Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf
Liverpool Echo report
WHEN you get homesick nothing will stop you returning to the arms of those you love.
AC Milan had a few tricks up their sleeves to keep the European Cup away from her spiritual base. They tempted her with sublime skills, destructive finishing and a fairytale script, courtesy of their legendary captain.
Paolo Maldini wasn't just holding the trophy at halftime, he was planning his fifth acceptance speech.
What he never foresaw was the homing device triggered by 35,000 Liverpool fans in the Ataturk Stadium who inspired their side to transform the most humiliating night in their history to the most triumphant.
The European Cup didn't fancy Paolo. She wanted Steven but it took a series of remarkable chat-up lines from the Liverpool manager to ensure his skipper got his wicked way. The only reason Liverpool weren't fatally wounded by a first half blitz is the fortunate fact immortals can't be destroyed.
Gerrard and company have rewritten football "possibilities" throughout this campaign but even the heroic efforts of Olympiakos, Juventus and Chelsea were rendered insignificant compared to this.
It shouldn't have happened. Some of us aren't convinced it did. Only the pinch marks confirm it. We thought it was all over. It wasn't.
Liverpool fans faced a sickening dilemma. What do you do when your side is 3-0 down in the Champions League final to a side superior in every position?
Praying was one option. Another, which was rather attractive at half time last night, was to grab the nearest taxi back to Taksin Square and drink the night away trying to forget the embarrassment they had just suffered.
The other alternative, which one red-shirted gent decided was more favourable, was to start an impromptu rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, drowned in the kind of sentimentality Liverpool's opponents find repulsive.
But the 35,000 didn't sing it with hope in their hearts, nor with fire in their bellies. It was poignant rather than passionate.
The tear in the eye wasn't one of joy but despair. A mere 45 minutes into a ceremony 21 years in preparation and a dream had died. As the second chorus faded Liverpool's players ran back onto the pitch to an astonishing ovation.
The cresendo of noise somehow injected volumes of self-belief into the hitherto drained souls. The inspirational orchestrator of the famous anthem had perfectly complimented Rafa Benitez's team talk.
He had inadvertently inspired the greatest fightback ever witnessed in any football stadium in any decade by any team ever. Okay, a few belated but painfully necessary tactical changes helped.
The previous manager's fatal mis-take in this competition was subbing Didi Hamman during a crucial European clash three years ago. Far more serious was the decision to omit him completely. Benitez made an astonishing gamble, abandoning caution for an attacking formation which backfired so hideously, the away end resembled a series of portraits of Edward Munch's The Scream.
Everything which could go wrong did, until Harry Kewell was injured.
Djini Traore endured a nightmare start, conceding possession and then a free kick which allowed Maldini to score in his seventh final.
Then Kewell, a surprising choice, pulled a muscle and limped out of his second showpiece of the season. Whether this was a blow or a blessing was debatable. The choice of Vladimir Smicer ahead of the overlooked anchorman, however, ensured the only immediate change was to Liverpool's detriment.
Not because of Smicer who gave the performance of a player who should be signing a new deal rather than waving goodbye, rather Liverpool's defence remained exposed.
The Reds pushed for an equaliser as if eight minutes remained, not 89. And they were duly punished. With no riot gear to protect them the defence was left bruised by the combined force of Kaka, Crespo and Shevchenko. Three-nil could have been five but for Luis Garcia's goal line clearance and a generous offside flag when Gerrard's tackle sent Shevchenko clean through.
"It's embarrassing," admitted Jamie Carragher later.
If a black hole had appeared in the centre circle some of the players would have dived into it, swiftly followed by the fans.
Halftime was a painkiller. Not losing by more than three represented a triumph.
What followed defied logic. If Elvis rose from the grave, brushed off his white suit and announced plans for a world tour we'd still say it wasn't as good a comeback as Liverpool's in Istanbul.
Freed by the essentially restored Didi Hamman, Gerrard started to advance. The most important cross of John Arne-Riise's life found the skipper's head.
Then Smicer matched his former nemesis thanks to Dida's careless dive. Yes, Smithy, Vlad has now scored a crucial European Cup goal just as you did!
The improbable was suddenly possible. By the time Gennaro Gattuso (the biggest culprit when it came to counting chickens at halftime) tripped Gerrard Liverpool were rampant. Gattuso should have seen red. Liverpool's equaliser at the second attempt from Xabi Alonso was an acceptable consolation.
But the momentum shifted back to Milan. The Reds looked like they had punched above their weight once too often. The only winner seemed destined to come from a white shirt with Shevchenko and the increasingly confident Dudek engaging in a personal duel.
When the Pole made an astonishing double save with two minutes of extra time remaining rumour had it the engraver started with an L on the famous trophy.
Penalties were still Liverpool's only hope. The spirit of 1984 was enacted. Dudek was the hero. What's likely to be his final appearance for Liverpool will sit comfortably alongside the images of Bruce Grobbelaar - although the Pole's weren't the only knees wobbling by this stage.
All that remained was for Gerrard to grab his prize.
The European Cup seemed to radiate a smile which beamed as broad as the skipper's face.
The dreams of the captain, the manager, the squad and fans were realised in a way the most elaborate fantasist couldn't have imagined.
Finally a new generation of Liverpool fans and players know how it feels to be no games from greatness.
And the European Cup is coming home.
Copyright Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf
Fantastic.
Thanks for posting this Boston. Brings back great memories.
:scarf
Liverpool 1 - 0 Real Madrid
Game date: 27.05.1981 Stadium: Parc des Princes
Competition: European Cup Final Attendance: 48,360
Starting line-up
1 Ray Clemence
2 Phil Neal
3 Alan Kennedy
4 Phil Thompson
5 Ray Kennedy
6 Alan Hansen
7 Kenny Dalglish
8 Sammy Lee
9 David Johnson
10 Terry McDermott
11 Graeme Souness
Subs
13 Steve Ogrizovic
14 Colin Irwin
15 Richard Money
12 Jimmy Case
16 Howard Gayle
Goals
Alan Kennedy 81'
Substitutions
Kenny Dalglish out for Jimmy Case 86'
:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf
Liverpool Daily Post report
ALAN KENNEDY confounded Real Madrid and the whole of Paris last night by striking the goal that won the European Cup for Liverpool.
The man the Kop have christened Barney Rubble, a left-back with the knack of producing the unpredictable, became Liverpool's ace in the pack in a tense and taut chess game of a final.
With just eight minutes remaining, Kennedy went bursting into the Real penalty area when his namesake Ray took a quick throw-in from the left. In a blur he was past the floundering Garcia Cortes and a thundering left-foot shot seared high into the top corner of the net.
The Parc des Princes Stadium exploded into red and white, and Kennedy, whose League Cup final goal was so cruelly cancelled out in the dying minutes at Wembley in March, this time was the hero for keeps.
Yet Kennedy had been inactive for six weeks during Liverpool's preparations for this game because of a broken wrist, and his chances of playing had looked remote.
The plaster was removed only last week as Paisley was anxious to play him as a counter to the dangerous forward thrusts of Juanito.
Now Kennedy has a golden chance of a place in football history as the man who won the European Cup for Liverpool for the third time, a record for a British club.
And ultimately Liverpool deserved their triumph, if only just.
They produced a performance of typical professionalism, reducing the threat of the highly talented Real front-line by expert and disciplined defence.
Liverpool were not rated as favourites. The feeling of many critics in Paris was that their time had passed. But the message Bob Paisley's men spoke rather than roared to the rest of Europe is one that is becoming haunt-ingly familiar: Write Liverpool off only at your cost.
Liverpool's early dominance was a product of their great experience of the heady occasions.
They gave themselves a little more time than Real and for 20 minutes were in firm control, creating that critical extra yard of space by intelligent first-time passing.
Alan Kennedy's 11th-minute left-footed 30-yarder had Agustin sprawling. McDermott's first-time effort following a neat link between Dalglish and Lee went over, and Dalglish drove an effort on the turn straight at the keeper.
Once Real had surfaced from their early attack of nerves, however, Liverpool found they were much more of a match, coping with the tight and tricky ball skills of Juanito and Laurie Cunningham and the phenomenal ability in the air of Santillana.
Camacho, a dangerous raiding full-back, gave Liverpool their first big scare when he wriggled free from Alan Hansen on the edge of the box and lobbed a shot just beyond Ray Clemence's far post.
If the game was not a classic, if was nothing less than an absorbing contest between highly accomplished teams of contrasting styles.
Real, typically Latin, played in high speed bursts, from a general pattern of keeping the pace slow. Their close skills were undeniably present: demanding every ounce of Liverpool's concentration and organisation to contain them. The Spaniards also employed a man-to-man marking system as opposed to Liverpool's preference for the nearest defender to pick up the man on the ball.
Cortes stayed as tight as he could on Dalglish, and found it a desperately difficult task; Sabido followed Johnson and Camacho was given the responsibility of restricting Graeme Souness's midfield influence, in which he found a certain degree of success.
The pattern that emerged was that Liverpool, without ever regaining their early authority, created the more clear-cut chances; a tribute as much to the back four's work as the forward play.
A typical Liverpool move deserved a reward of a 37th-minute goal. Dalglish, pressured by two defenders on the edge of the box, held the ball up cleverly before releasing it in front of the onrushing Souness whose shot the gangling Agustin was fortunate to grab at the second attempt.
There was never a question of Real running the so-called old men of Anfield off their feet as their Yugoslavian coach Boskov had predicted; nor on the other hand of Liverpool dissecting the Spaniards by science.
Just when extra-time seemed inevitable the tactical stalemate was broken by Alan Kennedy's intervention. Three minutes from time, three substitutions were made, but they were too late to matter. Real brought on San Jose and Pineda for Juanita and Cortes, and Jimmy Case replaced a limping Dalglish.
LIVERPOOL: Clemence; Neal, Thompson, Hansen, A Kennedy; Lee, McDermott, Souness, R Kennedy, Dalglish (Case 87), Johnson.
REAL MADRID: Agustin; Garcia Cortes (Pineda 87), Garcia Navajas, Sabido, Camacho; Del Bosque, Angel, Stielike; Juanito, Santillana, Cunningham.
REFEREE: Mr Karoly Palotai (Hungary)
ATT: 48,360
MAN OF THE MATCH: Alan Kennedy - Returned from injury to put in a match-winning performance.
Copyright - Daily Post
:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf
The Guardian match report
Liverpool keep it in the family
David Lacey in Paris
Wednesday May 27, 1981
Liverpool became the first British club to win the European Cup three times when they defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in Paris last night in a final which, while it seldom approached the high standards set in the competition's early years, produced an increasingly interesting contest of many contrasts.
A late goal by Alan Kennedy kept the trophy in England for a fifth year and the end came with the Kop reminding the Parc des Princes that neither they nor their team would ever walk alone. In truth Liverpool always seemed the more likely winners and victory came after they had walked through not so much a strom as a series of squally showers of the type that Parisians had been avoiding all day.
Yet if ever one man could have denied Liverpool their triumph, he had to be Juanito. The little Spaniard, one of the architects of England's humiliation at Wembley in March, challenged Liverpool's authority in midfield in the first half and in the second started to run at their defence to such good effect that he seemed quite capable of defying the logic of the game's pattern, most of which suggested a British success.
Liverpool's victory owed everything to their long years of experience in Continental competition. Real, for all their fine traditions in the European Cup, looked comparatively raw and especially in defence. From the outset Liverpool whittled away at Madrid's man-to-man marking. Pacing their game carefully, reluctant to waste possession with ambitious passes but never hesitating to use the long ball if the situation demanded it, they always kept their movements wide and always the man with the ball had good support as colleagues ran intelligently into space.
Souness, once he had run off the effects of a early foul be Sabido, was as profound an influence as ever, Lee chased and harried on the right, the full-backs, Neal and Alan Kennedy, were ever ready to move forward and Hansen and Thompson stood firm during an awkward period in the second half when it seemed quite likely that Real might snatch a goal.
In the first half Dalglish, held back by his shirt the first time he twisted away from Cortes but seldom held thereafter, was a constant danger in the Real penalty area and this advantage ought to have brought Liverpool and earlier goal. After half time Dalglish played a little deeper, seeking to draw defenders so that maximum use could be made of McDermott's long runs deep in the Real cover. Because Liverpool could not score when they were dominating, the game became more intriguingly balanced the longer it went on.
Liverpool might have gone ahead in the opening half hour, when Agustin pushed wide a low, skidding shot from Alan Kennedy. McDermott lifted a chance over the bar, and Dalglish produced another sharp turn to confound Cortes but could not finish with sufficient strength to worry the goalkeeper.
It took Real some time to achieve similar blend and co-ordination. Nevertheless, there was danger lurking for Liverpool once Juanito started to look for opportunities to send colleague running on to passes lobbed through the Liverpool defence. One such ball found Camacho, always a strong complement to the skills of Juanito, slipping inside Hansen to clip a shot wide with Clemence off his line and out of position.
Cunningham's role was often peripheral. Once of twice his skill and acceleration threatened to turn either of Liverpool's flanks but little came of even his most promising advances. Liverpool almost went ahead a few minutes before half time. Neal, attacking on the right, found Dalglish, who held the ball craftily before rolling it into the path of Souness, running late and unnoticed through the Real defence. Agustin could not hold Souness's shot and the Scot just failed to reach the rebound.
In defence, where they had their least experienced players, Real often looked suspect, but once they had established a launching pad in midfield they were an altogether different proposition. Liverpool either seemed likely to win by methodical means or lose through a moment of carelessness, and when Juanito began to assert his skill on the game these moments seemed more likely to occur. Early in the second half, for instance, Liverpool stopped for an offside decision against Cunningham that was never given and allowed Camacho a free run at Clemence. The goalkeeper came racing off his line in the usual way, was beaten by a prodigious lob and shared the general British relief at seeing the ball dip over the bar.
When Juanito jinked and swerved past a succession of opponents it seemed for a moment that he was going to out-Villa Villa, but Souness calmly covered the danger and in the end the game was won for Liverpool by a combination of Kennedys.
Ray Kennedy took a throw on the left which Cortes was in a position to cover. However the ball reached Alan Kennedy, whose surge up the touchline took Real completely by surprise. Cortes made an indifferent challenge and Alan Kennedy's momentum carried him past the defender for a thunderous left-footed shot in the far corner.
After that Liverpool, with Case replacing Dalglish, might have gone further ahead as Real Madrid sacrificed almost everything in defence for the sake of a goal. Agustin had to make a number of brave saves in succession.
Liverpool: Clemence; Neal, Thompson, Hansen, A. Kennedy, Lee, McDermott, Souness, R. Kennedy, Johnson, Dalglish (Case).
Real Madrid: Agustin; Cortes (Pineda), Sabido, Navajas, Camacho, Del Bosque, Angel, Stielike, Juanito, Santillana, Cunningham.
Referee: K Paloti (Hungary).
Copyright - The Guardian
It was suggested in another thread that those of us lucky enough to have witnessed some of the classic matches in our history might like to share our memories of those matches, so younger fans can get an idea of what it was like to have been there.
I think this is a great idea. us Liverpool fans have been very "lucky" to have been involved in some of history's greatest games, from Rome to Istanbul, Wembley to Aberdeen and all points in between.
As a 47 year old fan, who went to his 1st game in 1973, I feel very privileged to have witnessed some unbelievable highs and some terrible lows as a Liverpool fan, these experiences are what set us apart from the supporters of other clubs in my opinion, from the euphoria of Istanbul to the horror of Hillsborough and the ecstasy of Rome to the shame of Heysel, I have witnessed them all, I have shared these experiences with fellow reds, and that has cemented a bond between us unlike any other in world football.
I would like to kick off this thread with my memories of a day in our history that had the rest of the country scratching its head, unable to comprehend the bond between 2 sets of opposing fans, a day that had mancs, cockneys, brummies and Geordies green with envy at the widespread praise rightly piled on us scousers..... That day was 10th May 1986, the day of the 1st ever all Merseyside F.A. cup final.
Some people regard the 1985-86 season as the greatest season ever as far as Merseyside rivalry was concerned. Liverpool and Everton battled it out not just for the F.A.cup but also the 1st division title.
Liverpool triumphed at Goodison Park in September 85 with a narrow 3-2 win, leaving the red half of Merseyside in 2nd place in the league, just behind hated rivals Manchester united, and Everton trailing in 6th place. Everton gained revenge five months later with a 2-0 victory at Anfield, by this time the blue half of Merseyside where 8 points clear of us in the title race, and we where in 2nd place.
This was Kenny Dalglish's 1st season as player manager of Liverpool football club, and a fantastic late run in the league climaxed in Kenny scoring the winning goal at Stamford Bridge and Liverpool winning the title, 2 points clear of Everton in 2nd place. Cue Wembley Stadium on 10th May...
It seemed like the whole of Merseyside was hunting for that precious ticket for the F.A. cup final and spare tickets where as rare as rocking horse droppings. I was lucky, my season ticket serial number was drawn out, and I qualified for a ticket.
My mate also qualified for a ticket and a bluenose mate managed to get a ticket too, but his brother didn’t qualify for 1, but still decided to make the trip to Wembley without a ticket.
We decided to travel down by car, 2 reds and 2 blues sharing the car. So at 5am in the morning we where joining the motorway at the rocket, along with thousands of others. I have never seen the M62 so busy so early in the morning. The M6 was an unbelievable sight, Red and Blue everywhere you looked, and the amazing thing was that the 2 colours where not separated. Every car and coach was a mixture of both colours.
We decided to stop for breakfast at Watford gap services, and by the looks of things, so did half of Merseyside. the place was packed to the rafters, the poor staff where having a nightmare of a time coping with the influx of hundreds of scousers all eagerly looking for a bacon sarnie and a cup of tea, and in typical scouse fashion many of them had no intention of paying for it. I couldn’t stop laughing at the number of breakfasts being passed over the partition to adjoining tables, and people arriving at the tills with just a cup of tea on their tray.
Back on the M1 the red and blue wagon train made its way closer and closer to the famous twin towers. We arrived in the Wembley car park a little before 11am. We parked up and headed off to find somewhere to have a bevvy.
we eventually got a bevvy in a pub called the green parrot about 3/4 of a mile from Wembley, like every other pub for miles around, the place was heaving and it took ****** ages to get served, so when we eventually did get served it was "12 pints of lager please love" between the 4 of us, save fighting our way back to the bar.
After finishing our pints it was getting on for half 1, so we headed back up Wembley way towards the stadium. I had been to Wembley many times before, but I had never seen it as packed as it was this day, some estimates say there where 250 thousand scousers in London that day. Most of them without tickets, the stadium capacity was around 92,000.
There where people trying to bunk in everywhere you looked. People climbing up to windows, swinging precariously from 1 window to the other 40 foot up in the air. People hanging out of the windows offering their hands to the fans below for a bunk up. I had never seen anything like it in my life.
The 3 of us with tickets all had different turnstile numbers to go in, so we separated and headed to our turnstiles, having arranged to meet up once inside on the Wembley concourse. (You could walk right round in a full circle almost, once on the concourse).
The bluenose mate without a ticket was left to his own devises to try and get in, and we had arranged to meet him back at the car after the match.
When we met up inside we made our way onto the terracing behind the goal, the stewards had long given up trying to make sure that only people with the correct tickets got into each section. We ended up in the Liverpool section but there were also loads of bluenoses in there too.
Even now, 25 years later I still get a tingle down my spine when I remember the chants of "MERSEYSIDE, MERSEYSIDE, MERSEYSIDE” and "ARE YOU WATCHING MANCHESTER” were coming from all 4 corners of the stadium.
Just before kick off I needed a pee, so I headed down to the concourse. on the way down I looked out of the windows overlooking the Wembley car park and Wembley way, and despite the stadium being full already there was still thousands and thousands of people milling around outside.
the game kicked off, and Gary Lineker gave Everton an early lead, much to the delight of our bluenoses cousins, but an Ian Rush double and a beauty from Craig Johnson turned the final score 3-1 in our favour. I can still picture Ian Rush beating Neville Southall and knocking a camera placed at the back of the goal flying into the air.
The final whistle brought scenes of red euphoria and our 1st "Double" in Kenny’s 1st season as player manager.
we made our way out of the stadium, singing and dancing our way back to the car, much to the annoyance of my bluenose mate who had a ticket (he he he). We where expecting to see the other bluenoses mate (the 1 without a ticket) waiting by the car for us, but there was no sign of him. Instead we found a note under the windscreen wiper telling us that he had been hurt trying to bunk in and had been taken to a hospital in Islington if I remember correctly. So we piled into the car and headed off trying to find this hospital.
when we eventually found it, our mate was in a cubicle in A&E having broken his collarbone falling from 20 foot up in the air trying to climb up to a window (stupid sod). The doctor told us they where keeping him in for a couple of days, so we would be making the journey back up the M1 a mate light.
The journey home was somewhat subdued after this, and all the coaches had blue faces looking miserably out of the windows. But those of us in red made our way home with yet more happy memories of a glorious day.
:scarf:scarf:scarf A great article it does bring back so many good thoughts.I am so glad that me and my dad got tickets but it was a different time and though still hard to get a ticket not like the farce with the prawn sandwich brigade around today.So many of them today could not even tell you what the ball is blown up with !.
scousemick1963, Your story brings back so many memories of that day, Yes I remember the traffic, the goings on at Watford Gap, but you might find this interesting, at the time my wife was a dinner lady on the Tuesday before the game I picked her up from school, she asked could we drop her friend off, in the car her friend said I must be so looking forward to the Cup Final, Yes I said but have had no luck getting tickets so would not be going to London, and yes Here it comes " I can get tickets how many do you Want :eek:"
Thinking "stupid Cow" I said get me 4,
On the Thursday my wife came home with 4 tickets !!!!!
RodgersThat
27-6-11, 20:17
It was suggested in another thread that those of us lucky enough to have witnessed some of the classic matches in our history might like to share our memories of those matches, so younger fans can get an idea of what it was like to have been there.
I think this is a great idea. us Liverpool fans have been very "lucky" to have been involved in some of history's greatest games, from Rome to Istanbul, Wembley to Aberdeen and all points in between.
Absolutely brilliant recounting of one of the most special days in our Club's history and deserves special thanks for reminding us of that glorious season for the Merseyside rivalry. Please keep it coming !!! :clap:
LFC-JOHN-CARR
27-6-11, 20:21
ISTANBUL 05 - get in :scarf:scarf
LFC-JOHN-CARR
27-6-11, 20:22
This is fergie after the istanbul match ---------> :BH:
Tottenham, strengthened by the arrival of World Cup-winner Osvaldo Ardiles and his countryman Ricardo Villa, arrived at Anfield hopeful of winning at Anfield for the first time since the year in which the Titanic sank - 1912! But they returned to London smarting from their biggest-ever League defeat, outclassed from the first minute to the last, conceding seven goals and providing the home public with the memory of one of Liverpool's greatest-ever goals. Liverpool had already found the net 9 times in their three-match winning start to the season with Kenny Dalglish a scorer in all 3 games. It only took him 8 minutes to get off the mark in this one, turning to slide a low shot under Barry Daines after Jimmy Case had mis-directed his shot. Dalglish repeated that effort after 20 minutes to put the home team in firm control of the match. Once again Case was involved with a long shot being diverted just inside the post by Liverpool's No. 7. Before half-time Ray Kennedy had headed the Reds further in front, although his far-post effort appeared to get a touch off Liverpool-born John Lacy before it found the net.
It was in the second-half that Liverpool really took Spurs apart. David Johnson, making his first appearance of the season as a first-half substitute for the injured Emlyn Hughes, took full advantage of his chance by scoring the 4th and 5th goals. After 64 minutes John Duncan made a miraculous clearance off the line to save a certain goal but then undid all his good work a few seconds later by tripping Heighway inside the box. Daines dived to his right to block Phil Neal's penalty-kick but the referee decided that the Spurs 'keeper had moved before the kick was taken. Neal's second attempt went to the same side of the goal but higher up; although Daines got close, there was too much power and accuracy in the shot for him to make a save for a second time. With about a quarter of an hour left came the goal that is still talked about in awe today. It started deep inside Liverpool's penalty-area during a rare spell of Spurs pressure. Clemence to Ray Kennedy, then on to Dalglish for a quick pass up towards the centre-circle where Johnson was waiting. Quick control and a smart turn then a wonderful pass out towards Heighway who was galloping up the left touchline. Heighway never broke stride as he crossed the ball first-time and Terry McDermott, who had run almost the whole length of the pitch while all this was going on, met the cross at the far post with a bullet header which flashed past Daines before he could move. It really was a wonderful moment and typified Liverpool's style not just in this match but during a season in which they played some wonderful football with great consistency.
-----------
Liverpool : Clemence, Neal, Alan Kennedy, Thompson, Ray Kennedy, Hughes (Johnson), Dalglish, Case, Heighway, Souness, McDermott.
Tottenham : Daines, McAllister, Naylor, Hoddle, Lacy, Perryman, Villa, Ardiles, Taylor, Duncan, McNab
Goals
Kenny Dalglish 8'
Kenny Dalglish 20'
Ray Kennedy 28'
David Johnson 48'
David Johnson 58'
Phil Neal 64' pen
Terry McDermott 76'
we beat utd 2-1 community shield macca and riise 1st 16 mins our treble season we started off like a house on fire i always remember 1st time i seen utd beaten live was great. :scarf
i was at Istanbul and that was of course a pretty special match.
but thats obvious. one of my favourite memories of attending a classic is when liverpool played chelsea 2nd leg of that semi final at anfield. to my generation that was our st etienne. my dad and many other people have always gone on about how they went to that match and how they have never had felt a better atmosphere.
when i went to watch chelsea 2nd leg with my mates all of us 15 so it was new heights for all of us. liverpool played a great game. the hot dog tasted even better.
but the best thing about that match wasnt the game or the hot dog... it was after that final whistle went....and we all went beserk and took the roof off anfield singing. we were able to stay after final whistle for what seemed like an eternity just bouncing around it was incredible indescribably.
now my dads generation has that night of watching liverpool v st etienne and now i have the honor of saying i was at liverpool v chelsea 05 sat in the main stand near the kop. ...we argue about which was better all the time.
:scarf
:clap:
Liverpool vs AC Milan 2005 - One of z greatest match that we have watched here
I still remember the match. many fans went to sleep at half-time, but, we kept faith in The Kops & we won the match. What a great match it was.... Stevie G is the best
YNWA.. LIVERPOOL RULZZZZZZZZZZ :scarf :)
i was at Istanbul and that was of course a pretty special match.
but thats obvious. one of my favourite memories of attending a classic is when liverpool played chelsea 2nd leg of that semi final at anfield. to my generation that was our st etienne. my dad and many other people have always gone on about how they went to that match and how they have never had felt a better atmosphere.
when i went to watch chelsea 2nd leg with my mates all of us 15 so it was new heights for all of us. liverpool played a great game. the hot dog tasted even better.
but the best thing about that match wasnt the game or the hot dog... it was after that final whistle went....and we all went beserk and took the roof off anfield singing. we were able to stay after final whistle for what seemed like an eternity just bouncing around it was incredible indescribably.
now my dads generation has that night of watching liverpool v st etienne and now i have the honor of saying i was at liverpool v chelsea 05 sat in the main stand near the kop. ...we argue about which was better all the time.
it's about as good as arguments get! :scarf
liverpool vs juventus 2005. :scarf:scarf
liverpool vs juventus 2005. :scarf:scarf
As thoughts drifted back towards event 20 years ago, Liverpool possibly put a marker down for a new era at Anfield tonight. With the first fixture between Liverpool and Juventus since that tragic day in Heysel, the opportunity arose for both clubs to draw a line under the past and to also move a step closer to another European success. With Liverpool's injury problems only easing enough to allow Xabi Alonso to return to the bench, though an appearance was unlikely, Benitez once again was limited in his options.
Despite the lack of fit players, Benitez still managed to surprise everyone by recalling Anthony LeTallec for his first start since returning from St Etiene, a loan spell that ended early with neither club nor player gaining any great benefit. Scott Carson was also selected in goal, with Dudek continuing to struggle with the injury picked up on international duty. With Pellegrino and Morientes cup tied, Hyypia and Baros were both given an opportunity to stake a claim for a future at the club.
Before the kick off, a banner was carried from the Kop to the visiting Juventus supporters as a mark of respect. A moments silence in honour of the Pope who recently passed away followed, though thoughts were probably focused elsewhere - during this the Kop held aloft a Mosaic offering friendship to their Italian guests.
For all the good spirit off the field in the ground, once the whistle blew, Liverpool made it clear they had no intentions of offering their opponents any gifts. Within seconds the first chance arrived as Emerson slipped whilst receiving the ball and Baros, alive as always, surged forward and saw his shot deflect for a corner. Whilst the corner amounted to little, Liverpool were undetered. Gerrard summing up the mood, launching into a tackle to win the ball allowing the side to continue applying pressure.
During the build up, Fabio Capello had shared his fear that his side might struggle to connect having had their weekend game postponed. His fears were coming true as Liverpool hassled their opponents from Baros all the way back to Carragher and Hyypia at the back. All Liverpool needed now was a goal, and they obliged after winning another corner. Gerrard crossed from the right, a ball which was flicked on at the near post. Hyypia, having drifted clear of his marker, moved to the back of the six yard box and volleyed home.
It was hard to believe the team leading are currently struggling to qualify for next seasons competition such was the dominance Liverpool held in the opening stages. More goals could have come. LeTallec was linking play well whilst working hard when not in possession. Garcia who had initially gifted the ball back to Juve started to find space and the ability to pick out a red shirt. A free kick from outside of the box was rolled down the left hand channel of the Juventus defence with Baros accepting the ball and turning in one movement only to see his goal bound strike deflected over by Cannavaro. The Italian international and his partner Thuram were being made to look quite ordinary.
Gerrard won the ball just inside the half, surged forward but saw his shot travel over the cross as he lost balance whilst striking. Riise hit a free kick from distance but Buffon claimed easily. Liverpool would not be deterred. Luis Garcia received the ball and chipped it over his marker into the path of Baros who was moving from penalty spot to the six yard box, but his reach failed to connect.
The second finally arrived. LeTallec looking to play the ball from the wing chipped the ball inside seemingly towards Baros. The ball however was too high for the striker but bounced invitingly for Luis Garcia. Without the need for a touch he hit a dipping left footed volley that flew over Buffon and into the back of the net.
The second goal suddenly stung Juventus into life. Within seconds the lead could have been halved as Nedved picked up the ball, squaring it to Ibrahimovic who struck the ball from distance. Carson was relieved to the see the ball fly back at pace from the base of his left hand post. Whilst Liverpool continued to push forward, Juventus now offered the odd glimpse of their class. Another brilliant moment of play from Nedved created space for Del Piero who moved goalwards unmarked. Facing Carson he shot low and hard but the young keeper responded brilliantly and turned the ball wide. Juventus would be left feeling hard done by as a well timed run by Del Piero allowed him to head the ball home only to see his goal incorectly disallowed. It was maybe a bit of luck that Liverpool deserved given the misfortune they've seen this season.
Despite the scares, Liverpool went in two goals ahead, a scoreline not even the most optimistic of supporters could have expected. Yet there was a feeling that Juventus surely couldn't be tamed so easily for ninety minutes and so it proved. If Liverpool were far the better side in the first half, then Juventus deserved that title in the second.
Straight from the kick off, Juventus grabbed hold the game. With Pesotto coming on for the ineffective Blassi in midfield, Liverpool struggled to retain possession, whilst Nedved started to enjoy a great deal of freedom. On the second half showing it is easy to understand why Juventus are competing for the Serie A title this season, whilst also confirming the importance of Nedved to their fortunes.
Juventus were creating half chances with Del Piero finding the odd shooting position, though his overall contribution was below par. The Juve skipper would eventually be replaced by David Trezeguet, though the Frenchman faired little better. Camoranesi and Nedved would fire shots in from range, efforts which Carson continually dealt with efficiently. Whilst stretched it seemed Liverpool would hang on, though Liverpool's attacking efforts reduced as time went on. With Thuram and Cannavaro now exerting their undoubted quality on the game, Benitez slowly made changes, first Nunez for Baros and later in the game Smicer for the impressive LeTallec.
Any feeling that everything was going Liverpool's way suddenly evaporated in one moment that ensures the tie sits finely balanced. With the score at two goals to nil, Liverpool would have certainly backed their chances of progressing, the significance of a clean sheet would surely have been hammered home to the players. Yet, as against Leverkusen, a costly error detracted from the joy of victory. Liverpool reacted slowly to a short corner on their left which allowed the cross to come in unchallenged. The initial ball was cleared as Traore headed the ball out of the box, but it was quickly recovered and sent back into the area. Cannavaro rose and headed down, a lack of power making a save seem inevitable. Sadly for young Scott Carson he appeared to dive to his left too early and as the ball bounced up off the surface he was poorly placed to make the stop and the goal was conceded.
As the game moved on, both teams increasingly seemed happy to settle with the scoreline as it was. Liverpool gained a very important win, a result that reinforces the view that Liverpool remain a force to be taken seriously. It's also a result that stands out amongst Liverpool's Champions League run this season, the quality of opposition far greater than anything faced elsewhere. However, Juventus will feel that the away goal gives them the greater edge, a view backed up by the history of the competition in recent seasons. Liverpool will be hoping that they can be the exception to the rule.
Juventus: Buffon, Zebina (Montero 80'), Cannavaro, Thuram, Zambrotta, Blasi (Pessotto 45'), Emerson, Camoranesi, Nedved, Del Piero (Trezeguet 61'), Ibrahimovic.
Subs not used: Chimenti, Appiah, Olivera, Zalayeta.
Liverpool 2 - 1 Juventus
Game date: 05.04.2005 Stadium: Anfield
Competition: CL Quarter-final 1st leg Attendance: 41,216
Referee: de Bleeckere F (Belgium)
Starting line-up
20 Scott Carson
3 Steve Finnan
4 Sami Hyypia
6 John Arne Riise
21 Djimi Traore
23 Jamie Carragher
8 Steven Gerrard
10 Luis Garcia
13 Anthony Le Tallec
25 Igor Biscan
5 Milan Baros
Subs
1 Jerzy Dudek
28 Stephen Warnock
11 Vladimir Smicer
14 Xabi Alonso
18 Antonio Nunez
32 John Welsh
34 Darren Potter
Goals
Sami Hyypia 10'
Luis Garcia 25'
Substitutions
Milan Baros out for Antonio Nunez 66'
Anthony Le Tallec out for Vladimir Smicer 73'
we beat utd 2-1 community shield macca and riise 1st 16 mins our treble season we started off like a house on fire i always remember 1st time i seen utd beaten live was great. :scarf
Liverpool 2 - 1 Manchester United
Game date: 12.08.2001 Stadium: Millennium St.
Competition: Charity Shield Attendance: 70,227
Referee: D'Urso A
Starting line-up
1 Sander Westerveld
2 Stephane Henchoz
4 Sami Hyypia
6 Markus Babbel
18 John Arne Riise
13 Danny Murphy
16 Dietmar Hamann
20 Nick Barmby
21 Gary McAllister
8 Emile Heskey
10 Michael Owen
Subs
19 Pegguy Arphexad
23 Jamie Carragher
30 Djimi Traore
11 Jamie Redknapp
15 Patrik Berger
25 Igor Biscan
37 Jari Litmanen
Goals
Gary McAllister 2' pen
Michael Owen 15'
Substitutions
Nick Barmby out for Igor Biscan 71'
Danny Murphy out for Patrik Berger 71'
John Arne Riise out for Jamie Carragher 83'
- John Arne Riise makes his LFC debut
- It was a wonderful occasion for Riise to make his debut on: "At half-time the boss told me to go and warm up because Marcus wasn't feeling too good. I went on the field with Sammy Lee and I started getting butterflies in my stomach. When I came on for the start of the second half it was an unbelievable feeling."
:scarf
:clap:
Liverpool vs AC Milan 2005 - One of z greatest match that we have watched here
I still remember the match. many fans went to sleep at half-time, but, we kept faith in The Kops & we won the match. What a great match it was.... Stevie G is the best
YNWA.. LIVERPOOL RULZZZZZZZZZZ :scarf :)
AC Milan 3 - 3 Liverpool
Final score: 5 - 6
Game date: 25.05.2005 Stadium: Ataturk Stadium
Competition: Champions L. Final Attendance: 65,000
Referee: Mejuto González ME (Spain)
Starting line-up
1 Jerzy Dudek
3 Steve Finnan
4 Sami Hyypia
6 John Arne Riise
21 Djimi Traore
23 Jamie Carragher
7 Harry Kewell
8 Steven Gerrard
10 Luis Garcia
14 Xabi Alonso
5 Milan Baros
Subs
20 Scott Carson
17 Josemi Rey
11 Vladimir Smicer
16 Dietmar Hamann
18 Antonio Nunez
25 Igor Biscan
9 Djibril Cissé
Goals
Steven Gerrard 54'
Vladimir Smicer 56'
Xabi Alonso 59'
Substitutions
Harry Kewell out for Vladimir Smicer 23'
Steve Finnan out for Dietmar Hamann 46'
Milan Baros out for Djibril Cissé 85'
- Xabi Alonso missed a penalty on 59'
- His kick was saved by Milan goalkeeper Dida but he reacted quickly to drive the rebound into the roof of the net.
Match decided by penalties:
0-0 Serginho missed
1-0 Hamann
1-0 Pirlo saved
2-0 Cissé
2-1 Tomasson
2-1 Riise saved
2-2 Kaka
3-2 Smicer
3-2 Schevchenko saved
Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties and 6-5 in total.
Liverpool Echo report
WHEN you get homesick nothing will stop you returning to the arms of those you love.
AC Milan had a few tricks up their sleeves to keep the European Cup away from her spiritual base. They tempted her with sublime skills, destructive finishing and a fairytale script, courtesy of their legendary captain.
Paolo Maldini wasn't just holding the trophy at halftime, he was planning his fifth acceptance speech.
What he never foresaw was the homing device triggered by 35,000 Liverpool fans in the Ataturk Stadium who inspired their side to transform the most humiliating night in their history to the most triumphant.
The European Cup didn't fancy Paolo. She wanted Steven but it took a series of remarkable chat-up lines from the Liverpool manager to ensure his skipper got his wicked way. The only reason Liverpool weren't fatally wounded by a first half blitz is the fortunate fact immortals can't be destroyed.
Gerrard and company have rewritten football "possibilities" throughout this campaign but even the heroic efforts of Olympiakos, Juventus and Chelsea were rendered insignificant compared to this.
It shouldn't have happened. Some of us aren't convinced it did. Only the pinch marks confirm it. We thought it was all over. It wasn't.
Liverpool fans faced a sickening dilemma. What do you do when your side is 3-0 down in the Champions League final to a side superior in every position?
Praying was one option. Another, which was rather attractive at half time last night, was to grab the nearest taxi back to Taksin Square and drink the night away trying to forget the embarrassment they had just suffered.
The other alternative, which one red-shirted gent decided was more favourable, was to start an impromptu rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, drowned in the kind of sentimentality Liverpool's opponents find repulsive.
But the 35,000 didn't sing it with hope in their hearts, nor with fire in their bellies. It was poignant rather than passionate.
The tear in the eye wasn't one of joy but despair. A mere 45 minutes into a ceremony 21 years in preparation and a dream had died. As the second chorus faded Liverpool's players ran back onto the pitch to an astonishing ovation.
The cresendo of noise somehow injected volumes of self-belief into the hitherto drained souls. The inspirational orchestrator of the famous anthem had perfectly complimented Rafa Benitez's team talk.
He had inadvertently inspired the greatest fightback ever witnessed in any football stadium in any decade by any team ever. Okay, a few belated but painfully necessary tactical changes helped.
The previous manager's fatal mis-take in this competition was subbing Didi Hamman during a crucial European clash three years ago. Far more serious was the decision to omit him completely. Benitez made an astonishing gamble, abandoning caution for an attacking formation which backfired so hideously, the away end resembled a series of portraits of Edward Munch's The Scream.
Everything which could go wrong did, until Harry Kewell was injured.
Djini Traore endured a nightmare start, conceding possession and then a free kick which allowed Maldini to score in his seventh final.
Then Kewell, a surprising choice, pulled a muscle and limped out of his second showpiece of the season. Whether this was a blow or a blessing was debatable. The choice of Vladimir Smicer ahead of the overlooked anchorman, however, ensured the only immediate change was to Liverpool's detriment.
Not because of Smicer who gave the performance of a player who should be signing a new deal rather than waving goodbye, rather Liverpool's defence remained exposed.
The Reds pushed for an equaliser as if eight minutes remained, not 89. And they were duly punished. With no riot gear to protect them the defence was left bruised by the combined force of Kaka, Crespo and Shevchenko. Three-nil could have been five but for Luis Garcia's goal line clearance and a generous offside flag when Gerrard's tackle sent Shevchenko clean through.
"It's embarrassing," admitted Jamie Carragher later.
If a black hole had appeared in the centre circle some of the players would have dived into it, swiftly followed by the fans.
Halftime was a painkiller. Not losing by more than three represented a triumph.
What followed defied logic. If Elvis rose from the grave, brushed off his white suit and announced plans for a world tour we'd still say it wasn't as good a comeback as Liverpool's in Istanbul.
Freed by the essentially restored Didi Hamman, Gerrard started to advance. The most important cross of John Arne-Riise's life found the skipper's head.
Then Smicer matched his former nemesis thanks to Dida's careless dive. Yes, Smithy, Vlad has now scored a crucial European Cup goal just as you did!
The improbable was suddenly possible. By the time Gennaro Gattuso (the biggest culprit when it came to counting chickens at halftime) tripped Gerrard Liverpool were rampant. Gattuso should have seen red. Liverpool's equaliser at the second attempt from Xabi Alonso was an acceptable consolation.
But the momentum shifted back to Milan. The Reds looked like they had punched above their weight once too often. The only winner seemed destined to come from a white shirt with Shevchenko and the increasingly confident Dudek engaging in a personal duel.
When the Pole made an astonishing double save with two minutes of extra time remaining rumour had it the engraver started with an L on the famous trophy.
Penalties were still Liverpool's only hope. The spirit of 1984 was enacted. Dudek was the hero. What's likely to be his final appearance for Liverpool will sit comfortably alongside the images of Bruce Grobbelaar - although the Pole's weren't the only knees wobbling by this stage.
All that remained was for Gerrard to grab his prize.
The European Cup seemed to radiate a smile which beamed as broad as the skipper's face.
The dreams of the captain, the manager, the squad and fans were realised in a way the most elaborate fantasist couldn't have imagined.
Finally a new generation of Liverpool fans and players know how it feels to be no games from greatness.
And the European Cup is coming home.
Copyright Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
Since we are playing valencia in a friendly soon I thought I would post in here About when we played them in 2003 when rafa was in charge of them.
Was a very hot day, Heskey had a howler despite having had a Great pre season before that... Well its unfair to say just Heskey, the whole team got ripped to shreds by aimar and co.
Both teams had strong first 11's out on that heatwave of a day and I was sat for the first and only time in centenary upper stand (padded seats and leg room :D)
The whole of anfield watched rafa's Valencia rip us to shreds that day by playing high tempo 1 touch football. They might have only scored 2 goals but the scoreline flattered the reds that day.
That was a great team and could of won the champions league under rafa but he left to win old big ears with us :D
I Can remember being in the flat iron pub ( or as I like to call it the rusty iron pub) after the game having a coke ( was only about 14 my dad wouldn't let me have a pint) abd everyone talking about how well this young Manager named rafa Benitez had gone about putting together such a good team and playing such exciting football.
Perhaps the only time I have ever enjoyed watching liverpool get beat.
Since we are playing valencia in a friendly soon I thought I would post in here About when we played them in 2003 when rafa was in charge of them.
Was a very hot day, Heskey had a howler despite having had a Great pre season before that... Well its unfair to say just Heskey, the whole team got ripped to shreds by aimar and co.
Both teams had strong first 11's out on that heatwave of a day and I was sat for the first and only time in centenary upper stand (padded seats and leg room :D)
The whole of anfield watched rafa's Valencia rip us to shreds that day by playing high tempo 1 touch football. They might have only scored 2 goals but the scoreline flattered the reds that day.
That was a great team and could of won the champions league under rafa but he left to win old big ears with us :D
I Can remember being in the flat iron pub ( or as I like to call it the rusty iron pub) after the game having a coke ( was only about 14 my dad wouldn't let me have a pint) abd everyone talking about how well this young Manager named rafa Benitez had gone about putting together such a good team and playing such exciting football.
Perhaps the only time I have ever enjoyed watching liverpool get beat.
Today In History
August 9th
Extra Info
LIVERPOOL V VALENCIA
FRIENDLY MATCH
ANFIELD
9-8-2003
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Dudek
Carragher (Finnan 46')
Hyypia (Traore 46')
Henchoz
Riise (Vignal 63')
Kewell (Le Tallec 71')
Biscan (Diao 76')
Murphy
Gerrard (Diouf 63')
Owen (Baros 67')
Heskey (Pongolle 77')
Lost 2-0
Att
43,233
On this day in 1979
LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL
FA CHARITY SHIELD
WEMBLEY STADIUM
11-8-1979
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Clemence
2 Neal
3 A Kennedy
4 Thompson
5 R Kennedy
6 Hansen
7 Dalglish
8 Case
9 Johnson
10 McDermott
11 Souness
Won 3-1
McDermott 38' 65'
Dalglish 63'
Att
92,000
The 57th FA Charity Shield was held on the 11th August 1979 which saw the 1978/79 Football League champions Liverpool and 1979 FA Cup winners Arsenal battle in front of 92,000 spectators at Wembley.
A wonderful majestic performance from Liverpool and Terry McDermott helped Liverpool secure the 1979 Charity Shield on a baking hot day. Pat Jennings was the busiest keeper during the opening few minutes making impressive saves from Johnson, Dalglish and Souness while at the other end Frank Stapleton forced Ray Clemence into a fine save.
Liverpool opened the scoring in the 38th minute, Terry McDermott took Ray Kennedys pass in his stride and and from 25-yards out he striked a superb low drive past the reach of Pat Jennings.
Liverpool ended the first half with their one goal lead, just 15 minutes into the second half Liverpool doubled their lead through a clever placed goal from Kenny Dalglish. Two minutes later and Liverpool put the game beyond Arsenal with Terry McDermott grabbing his second goal of the game.
Although, Alan Sunderland scored a consolation goal for the Gunners, Liverpool hung on to secure a commanding 3-1 win over FA Cup winners Arsenal. Liverpool might have scored more than three on the day but for some fine goalkeeping by Arsenal‘s Pat Jennings.
It was another brilliant performance from Bob Paisley team, a day Kopites will never ever forget!
Liverpool: Clemence, Neal, Kennedy, Thompson, Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Case, Johnson, McDermott, Souness.
Arsenal: Jennings, Rice, Nelson (Young), Talbot, O’Leary, Walford, Brady, Sunderland, Stapleton, Price (Hollins), Rix.
:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf
European debut in Iceland
Forty seven years ago, on the Monday the 17th of August 1964, Liverpool played their first European game. The great European history of Liverpool started on the Laugardalsvöllur in Reykjavik the capital of Iceland. The opponents were the Icelandic champions K.R. Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur.
Liverpool FC celebrating their title triumph in 1963-64.Liverpool have won nine titles in their European history. Four European cups, three UEFA cups and two Super cups. The European history of Liverpool is a glorious chapter in the unique history of the most successful football team in English football. That is why this game in Reykjavik is regarded so important in the history of Liverpool F.C. It marks the start of Liverpool´s European odyssey.
Liverpool had played West Ham United at Anfield for the Charity Shield on the Saturday the 15th of August. The teams drew 2-2 and shared the Shield. Gordon Wallace & Gerry Byrne scored Liverpool´s goals. Wallace got his chance in the side because Ian St. John was recovering from appendicitis. The day after the Charity Shield the team took off to Iceland.
It is worth noting that Liverpool were due to play in Iceland only two days after playing West Ham. Talking about a heavy fixture program of the modern game! The voyage to Iceland was not all straight forward. The captain Ron Yeats remembered the trip well. "It´s amazing how things have changed over the years, especially when you look back at that first European trip to Iceland. Most of us didn´t know where Reykjavik was. It was a terrible journey and we got there by the most astonishing circuitous route. We flew from Speke to London, then from London to Prestwick in Scotland and finally caught a flight from there to Iceland." (As told in the book "Liverpool in Europe" page 7 by Stephen F. Kelly. Published by CollinsWillow in 1992.) On the way to Iceland the plane flew over a volcanic eruption in the middle of the sea. The Liverpool party could view the island Surtsey in the making. In the end Bill Shankly and all made in safe and sound to Iceland.
The players of Liverpool and K.R. took the field at the national stadium of Iceland in the late afternoon arctic summersun. Natural floodlights if there ever was! The wind was light. Blowing from the north west. It was a nice night but it turned a bit chilly when the sun stopped went down as the game went into the evening. The game was big news in Iceland as well as Liverpool and 10,268 people turned up at Laugardalsvöllur. I gather that was a record for the stadium at the time. Liverpool played in red shirts and white shorts. The all red kit was not introduced until later that season. K.R. wore black and white striped shirts and black shorts like Newcastle United.
Liverpool couldn´t have started their European adventure any better. In the 3rd minute Liverpool scored. The young Scot Gordon Wallace scored from just outside the six yard box after good work from Roger Hunt. The goal was timed at 180 sec. Gordon later recalled this historic goal. "I remember Roger Hunt going to the byline and squaring it back to me. I was only six yards out and to be honest I mi**** it. The ball went in between the goalkeeper and the near post. It was the club´s first time in Europe and everything was new to us." (Liverpool matchday magazine 26.09.2001.) By defending for their lives K.R. kept the score at 1-0 after 45 minutes.
The wind turned a bit during half time and kept its intention to blow to the backs of the home side! But though the wind turned to help the home side it was to prove a little help for K.R. The first half was a one way traffic and the second half proved to be even more more difficult for the Icelandic amateurs. In the 46th Liverpool scored again. The England striker Roger Hunt scored from the edge of the six yard box after good work from Gordon Wallace. Five Icelandic defenders couldn't stop this great goalscorer. The best chance that the Icelandic team got came with the score at 2-0. Ellert Schram´s header got past Tommy Lawrence but Ronnie Moran was on hand to clear on the goal line. Shortly after this, in the 57th minute, Phil Chisnall scored Liverpool´s third after good work from Ian Callaghan. Phil got a rare chance in the side because Alf Arrowsmith had been injured in the Charity Shield game. Three minutes later Gordon Wallace scored his second goal. The Scot headed the ball home from close range after a good cross from Ian Callaghan. Two minutes before the end of the game the fifth goal came. Roger Hunt then scored his second of the night with a powerful shoot from more that 20 yards. The goal of the game in the opinion of the Icelandic press reporters.
I have reports from the game from two Icelandic papers Morgunbladid (The Morningpaper) and Timinn (The Times). The papers had lenghty reports and pictures from the game. Both papers agreed that Liverpool had totally outclassed K.R. For example Tommy Lawrence only touched the ball three or four times during the first half. On all occacions he got the ball from back passes from his own players! The players of K.R., who like Liverpool´s players were playing their first game in Europe, were criticized in the newspapers for defending with the only aim of trying to lose by as few goals as possible.
The reporter from Morgunbladid said Liverpool could have won 15-0! This was his final assessment. "It is not possible to compare these two sides. Liverpool were so much better. They could do what they wanted to. But they did not try too hard to score goals. Many of their players made good effords to entertain the crowd. But nobody did more in that way than the winger Thompson with his clever and various solo tricks. The Icelandic crowd and the players of K.R watched like good students at a school." This was the first but certainly not the last time Liverpool handed an European opposition a lesson in football.
Although a Man of the match was probably not chosen everyone thought the wonder winger Peter Thompson was the best player on show. One of the players from K.R. told me that Peter was unstoppable at times that night. But one thing was for sure. Liverpool had got many Icelandic supporters that August night!
K.R.: Gísli Þorkelsson, Heiðar Ársaelsson, Bjarni Felixson, Þórður Jónsson, Hörður Felixson, Þorgeir Guðmundsson, Sveinn Jónsson, Gunnar Guðmannsson, Gunnar Felixson, Ellert Schram (Captain) and Sigurþór Jakobsson.
Liverpool: 1. Tommy Lawrence, 2. Gerry Byrne, 3. Ronnie Moran, 4. Gordon Milne, 5. Ron Yeats (Captain), 6. Willie Stevenson, 7. Ian Callaghan, 8. Roger Hunt, 9. Phil Chisnall, 10. Gordon Wallace and 11. Peter Thompson.
Laugardalsvöllur: 10,268.
LordJamieOfCarragher
17-8-11, 13:14
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur.
That's easy for you to say Boston! :eek:
On this day in 1979
LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL
FA CHARITY SHIELD
WEMBLEY STADIUM
11-8-1979
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Clemence
2 Neal
3 A Kennedy
4 Thompson
5 R Kennedy
6 Hansen
7 Dalglish
8 Case
9 Johnson
10 McDermott
11 Souness
Won 3-1
McDermott 38' 65'
Dalglish 63'
Att
92,000
The 57th FA Charity Shield was held on the 11th August 1979 which saw the 1978/79 Football League champions Liverpool and 1979 FA Cup winners Arsenal battle in front of 92,000 spectators at Wembley.
A wonderful majestic performance from Liverpool and Terry McDermott helped Liverpool secure the 1979 Charity Shield on a baking hot day. Pat Jennings was the busiest keeper during the opening few minutes making impressive saves from Johnson, Dalglish and Souness while at the other end Frank Stapleton forced Ray Clemence into a fine save.
Liverpool opened the scoring in the 38th minute, Terry McDermott took Ray Kennedys pass in his stride and and from 25-yards out he striked a superb low drive past the reach of Pat Jennings.
Liverpool ended the first half with their one goal lead, just 15 minutes into the second half Liverpool doubled their lead through a clever placed goal from Kenny Dalglish. Two minutes later and Liverpool put the game beyond Arsenal with Terry McDermott grabbing his second goal of the game.
Although, Alan Sunderland scored a consolation goal for the Gunners, Liverpool hung on to secure a commanding 3-1 win over FA Cup winners Arsenal. Liverpool might have scored more than three on the day but for some fine goalkeeping by Arsenal‘s Pat Jennings.
It was another brilliant performance from Bob Paisley team, a day Kopites will never ever forget!
Liverpool: Clemence, Neal, Kennedy, Thompson, Kennedy, Hansen, Dalglish, Case, Johnson, McDermott, Souness.
Arsenal: Jennings, Rice, Nelson (Young), Talbot, O’Leary, Walford, Brady, Sunderland, Stapleton, Price (Hollins), Rix.
:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf:scarf
still my favourite game.
the sun was out,we were magnificant,3 great goals.
after our 5 nil over forest,this for me one of our greatest ever games.
and what a team. :scarf
That's easy for you to say Boston! :eek:
:D
still my favourite game.
the sun was out,we were magnificant,3 great goals.
after our 5 nil over forest,this for me one of our greatest ever games.
and what a team. :scarf
Thankyou for your feedback :)
Thankyou for your feedback :)
ANYTIME,EVEN LOVED THE ARSENAL YELLOW TOPS BLUE SHORTS STRIP.
my 2nd summer as a liverpool fan,had posters on my bedroom wall of that game for years,charity shield seemed to mean more back then?
terry mac a beast from midfield,he always killed the london clubs.:)
Reds storm Palace
Six-hitters Liverpool ruthlessly punished suicidal defending by a shell_shocked Crystal Palace side slaughtered on their Premiership return.
Alan Smith's first division champions will clearly face a struggle to establish themselves in the top flight if they continue to produce horror shows like this.
As Liverpool's goals flew in, Palace fans feared a repeat of the club's worst nightmare - the nine-goal defeat by Liverpool at Anfield five years ago.
It was a desperate day for Palace's three summer signings.
Former Stockport County striker Andy Preece was taken to hospital with back trouble after 24 minutes. Former England captain Ray Wilkins was booked and limped off eight minutes early and uncertain Darren Pitcher, signed from Charlton, presented Liverpool with their crucial third goal.
The goals timetable went like this :
Twelve minutes : Jan Molby, back in the first team for the first time since last December, fired Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot after Simon Rodger bundled over Rob Jones.
Fourteen minutes : Steve McManaman grabbed the second from the edge of the Liverpool penalty area to beat Nigel Martyn.
Forty-four minutes : Robbie Fowler side-footed the third after Pitcher miskicked into his path.
Forty-nine minutes : Chris Armstrong headed Palace briefly back into the game by connecting with a Dean Gordon cross.
Sixty minutes : Ian Rush headed in a Stig Bjornebye cross with the Palace defence absent.
Seventy minutes : McManaman tapped in his second and Liverpool's fifth from a Jamie Redknapp pass.
Seventy-four minutes : Rush again took advantage of sloppy defending by heading the sixth after John Barnes nodded on a Redknapp corner.
Manager Alan Smith ordered his Palace team to report on Sunday so they can watch a horror video of themselves in action.
Unhappy Smith refused to slate his players in the dressing room afterwards but will analyse their failings after watching the video with them.
"Our defending was horrific," snapped Smith. "The goals were going in at will. It was a painful lesson for us and I have told the chaps to come in tomorrow and watch a video of it. I think they must have been listening to Terry Venables talk about his Christmas tree plan. We had the tree with all the presents on it. It wasn't naivety - just bad play. I can't really talk my way out of it. Liverpool scored some great goals and their goalkeeper made marvellous saves when he had to. But it was not a freak result. We just defended so poorly. It is going to be a ****** hard season for us. This was a rude awakening and I hope we have got it out of our system now."
Amazingly, Liverpool boss Roy Evans admitted to a tinge of disappointment over the result.
Perfectionist Evans was unhappy that Liverpool had conceded a goal to 6 million pound Everton target Chris Armstrong.
He said: "I'm a bit disappointed we lost a goal but obviously I'm pleased with such a convincing scoreline on the first day - we are capable of beating teams heavily if we keep our consistency. But we started the second half badly, allowed Palace to get back into it and it wasn't until we started passing the ball around that I began to feel happier."
Evans is planning to bring in at least two new players but claims he is still waiting to hear from Coventry about his bid for Republic Of Ireland defender Phil Babb.
WILKINS REFLECTS ON LOSS
Ray Wilkins left Selhurst Park on Saturday bruised, battered but mainly bewildered by Liverpool's treatment from the critics.
Crystal Palace's new midfield general eagerly praised a Liverpool team stung by their dismissal as title candidates into handing out a 6-1 opening day hiding.
"Liverpool deserve all the credit they can get after a performance like that," said Wilkins. "They scored some marvellous goals and are still a force to be reckoned with."
But didn't Palace contribute hugely to their own downfall with suicidal defending?
"There was probably a bit of nerves and tension on our part," added Wilkins diplomatically.
Palace's Premiership return became a nightmare instead of the celebration they had planned.
Liverpool ruthlessly exploited a catalogue of errors to top the Premiership by virtue of the greatest victory margin.
It was a painful debut for former England captain Wilkins. The sight of him weaving unsteadily on crutches to his car afterwards somehow summed up Palace's torrid afternoon. "This hasn't been the best of starts for me," he said.
Wilkins, 38 next month, struggled to fit in with a young Palace side who frequently bypassed midfield on their way to the First Division championship last season.
Instead, it was Jan Molby, looking considerably heavier than Wilkins, who ran this six-goal show. Delighted Liverpool boss Roy Evans said: "There is a determination among the lads to prove people wrong."
Today In History
August 20th
Extra Info
CRYSTAL PALACE V LIVERPOOL
PREMIER LEAGUE
SELHURST PARK
20-8-1994
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
David James
Steve Nicol
Neil Ruddock
Stig Inge Bjornebye
Rob Jones
Steve McManaman
Jan Molby (Michael Thomas)
Jamie Redknapp
John Barnes
Robbie Fowler
Ian Rush
Won 6-1
Molby 12' (Pen)
McManaman 14' 70'
Fowler 45'
Rush 60' 73'
Att
18,084
Reds go nap
Liverpool made it a Merseyside monopoly as they strode back to the summit of English football for the first time in more than two years. These are early days for manager Graeme Souness' red revolution but the signs of a bristling return to former glories were ominous as his team leapfrogged local rivals Everton at the top and cruelly underlined newly promoted Swindon's struggle to adjust to life in the fast lane.
Barnstorming centre-half Neil Ruddock, Souness' 2.5 million pound buy from Tottenham, scored his first league goal for Liverpool to end Swindon's early promise of an upset. But it was Steve McManaman, the leggy, local discovery on the left wing, who sealed the result with a pair of smartly-taken goals either side of half-time.
Swindon, brave and combative and still full of the good intentions implanted by former manager Glenn Hoddle, found themselves on the end of a comprehensive defeat - their third in a row - after Ronnie Whelan and substitute Mike Marsh drilled home emphatic shots from the edge of the box in the final 20 minutes.
And new boss John Gorman is left looking up from the foot of the table under no elusions already about the size of his task to keep the Wiltshire team afloat in their first Premiership season. It could have been so different had his 250,000 pound former Wolves striker Andy Mutch accepted the early chances he was given to make a glorious debut. In only four minutes, Mutch hesitated over a through ball from Nicky Summerbee which sent him clear to the edge of the Liverpool box and allowed goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar to race out and dispossess him.
Then Norwegian striker Jan Aage Fjortoft put a spectacular overhead shot just wide when Mutch nodded down John Moncur's cross and Mutch rammed another opportunity beyond the far post after swooping in on another opening provided by Moncur.
Swindon were left regretting their wastefulness when in the 18th minute, the powerful Ruddock muscled his way into the six yard box, knocked down a free-kick from Stig Inge Bjornebye and forced the ball home. McManaman, jeered relentlessly by the home crowd who felt he made a meal of the foul by Summerbee that lead to the free-kick, popped up unmarked on the end of Steve Nicol's low cross to slot in Liverpool's second goal in the 36th minute.
There was no way back for Swindon after that, especially losing the influential Moncur through injury early in the second half. McManaman skipped past two challenges to register a third goal with a measured shot over 'keeper Fraser Digby just after the hour.
Even after Whelan and Marsh added further punishment in the 70th and 80th minutes there were ample opportunities for Liverpool to grab more goals in what had already become a rout. Delighted Souness said: "We can only get better." The Anfield boss added: "I have some of the best players in the country and if they have the desire we have a chance in all three domestic competitions this season." But Souness said: "Why is everybody talking about a revival? The time for that usually comes after Christmas."
Today In History
August 22ed
Extra Info
SWINDON TOWN V LIVERPOOL
PREMIER LEAGUE
COUNTY GROUND
22-8-1993
Bruce Grobbelaar
Mark Wright
Stig Inge Bjornebye (David Burrows)
Rob Jones
Steve Nicol
Neil Ruddock (Mike Marsh)
Jan Molby
Steve McManaman
Nigel Clough
Ronnie Whelan
Ian Rush
Won 5-0
Ruddock 19'
McManaman 36' 61'
Whelan 70'
Marsh 80'
Att
17,017
Reds go nap
Liverpool made it a Merseyside monopoly as they strode back to the summit of English football for the first time in more than two years. These are early days for manager Graeme Souness' red revolution but the signs of a bristling return to former glories were ominous as his team leapfrogged local rivals Everton at the top and cruelly underlined newly promoted Swindon's struggle to adjust to life in the fast lane.
Barnstorming centre-half Neil Ruddock, Souness' 2.5 million pound buy from Tottenham, scored his first league goal for Liverpool to end Swindon's early promise of an upset. But it was Steve McManaman, the leggy, local discovery on the left wing, who sealed the result with a pair of smartly-taken goals either side of half-time.
Swindon, brave and combative and still full of the good intentions implanted by former manager Glenn Hoddle, found themselves on the end of a comprehensive defeat - their third in a row - after Ronnie Whelan and substitute Mike Marsh drilled home emphatic shots from the edge of the box in the final 20 minutes.
And new boss John Gorman is left looking up from the foot of the table under no elusions already about the size of his task to keep the Wiltshire team afloat in their first Premiership season. It could have been so different had his 250,000 pound former Wolves striker Andy Mutch accepted the early chances he was given to make a glorious debut. In only four minutes, Mutch hesitated over a through ball from Nicky Summerbee which sent him clear to the edge of the Liverpool box and allowed goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar to race out and dispossess him.
Then Norwegian striker Jan Aage Fjortoft put a spectacular overhead shot just wide when Mutch nodded down John Moncur's cross and Mutch rammed another opportunity beyond the far post after swooping in on another opening provided by Moncur.
Swindon were left regretting their wastefulness when in the 18th minute, the powerful Ruddock muscled his way into the six yard box, knocked down a free-kick from Stig Inge Bjornebye and forced the ball home. McManaman, jeered relentlessly by the home crowd who felt he made a meal of the foul by Summerbee that lead to the free-kick, popped up unmarked on the end of Steve Nicol's low cross to slot in Liverpool's second goal in the 36th minute.
There was no way back for Swindon after that, especially losing the influential Moncur through injury early in the second half. McManaman skipped past two challenges to register a third goal with a measured shot over 'keeper Fraser Digby just after the hour.
Even after Whelan and Marsh added further punishment in the 70th and 80th minutes there were ample opportunities for Liverpool to grab more goals in what had already become a rout. Delighted Souness said: "We can only get better." The Anfield boss added: "I have some of the best players in the country and if they have the desire we have a chance in all three domestic competitions this season." But Souness said: "Why is everybody talking about a revival? The time for that usually comes after Christmas."
Today In History
August 22ed
Extra Info
SWINDON TOWN V LIVERPOOL
PREMIER LEAGUE
COUNTY GROUND
22-8-1993
Bruce Grobbelaar
Mark Wright
Stig Inge Bjornebye (David Burrows)
Rob Jones
Steve Nicol
Neil Ruddock (Mike Marsh)
Jan Molby
Steve McManaman
Nigel Clough
Ronnie Whelan
Ian Rush
Won 5-0
Ruddock 19'
McManaman 36' 61'
Whelan 70'
Marsh 80'
Att
17,017
Jones,could have been englands greatest right back.
clough,never reached the heights he should have.
recall this game,one of our better efforts under souness.
John Arne Riise, Michael Owen and Emile Heskey put Liverpool into a 3-0 lead. Salihamidzic and Jancker pulled two back for the European Champions who despite some late efforts couldn't draw level.
The game started rather slowly with Liverpool passing the ball around at the back and Bayern pressing for possession. The first real chance arrived after three minutes when Michael Owen broke down the right and entered the Munich box. The England forward curled a pass in for Heskey, who was offside when the move began, yet the giant striker couldn't connect and Sagnol kneed over the crossbar.
Bayern's first opportunity came after eight minutes when Brazilian Giovane Elber took the ball down the right and lifted an interesting ball into the Liverpool box. Westerveld, however, collected easily.
Dietmar Hamann made a crunching tackle from behind on Bosnian international Hassan Salihamidzic just before the quarter hour and got booked. The worrying aspect for the UEFA Cup holders is that cards follow through to the upcoming Champions League.
The opening goal came after 23 minutes when Steven Gerrard hit a fabulous looping pass from the centre of midfield and found Owen on the right. Owen sprinted forward and curled a pass in towards the six-yard area where Riise slid and connected to thump the ball into the roof of the Bayern net.
With Liverpool well in command by this stage it looked like more goals were on the way. Heskey, who was playing admirably, freed Owen through the centre Owen sprinted past Kovac and ran through on goal before trying to chip Kahn who had come out to meet the ball. Kahn stood up firm and won the battle, palming the ball down before clearing.
Bayern, becoming more frustrated with Liverpool's growing dominance, surged forward. Willy Sagnol, menacing down the right flank, crossed in for Elber who glanced a header back towards the far post which dropped inches wide of the target. Westerveld had his hands up to claim he had it covered, butthose inside the stadium weren't so convinced.
Then, just before half-time, Heskey doubled his team's lead. The big man took possession slightly left of centre and 35 yards from goal before surging through the non existent challenges of Linke and Kovacs and deftly flicking the ball past Oliver Kahn.
With the whistle for the second half shrilling through the warm Monaco evening, Bayern, with furrowed brows, looked determined to eat into Liverpool's lead, yet within a minute they found themselves 3-0 down. Another looping ball over the top caught the Bayern defence asleep, Owen raced through before calmly controlling and passing the ball past Kahn and into the bottom corner of the net.
Some severe barking bellowed from the touchline and the source was found to be Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld lashing his tongue at the weary Munich plodders on the field. They duly picked up their game and had pulled a goal back after 56 minutes when Salihamidzic simply headed an Owen Hargreaves corner past Westerveld's hand and high into the goal.
Bayern began to put some consistent pressure on the Liverpool 18-yard box and won several corners as Liverpool sat back. Salihamidzic went close a couple of times with some low drives but Liverpool regained their composure soon afterwards and defended strongly.
With nine minutes remaining, Bayern pulled another goal back when Elber flicked up a pass in the Liverpool box. Jancker, under pressure from Babbel watched the ball all the way and headed across Westerveld and into the goal.
The Bayern fans went wild and their team responded by storming forward again and again. Lizarazu hit the deck in the Liverpool box after a being followed by Biscan and there were protests for a penalty, the referee waved play on.
Shortly afterwards, Babbel had a good chance to make it 4-2 but he headed poorly at the target while unmarked in the centre of the Munich area.
Despite some late frantic activity in The Reds half, Liverpool held outto claim their second trophy of the season so far and their fifth in the last six months.
Today In History
August 24th
Extra Info
LIVERPOOL V BAYERN MUNICH
UEFA SUPER CUP FINAL
STADE LOUIS 11
MONACO
24-8-2001
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Sander Westerveld
Jamie Carragher
Markus Babbel
Sami Hyypia
Stephane Henchoz
John Arne Riise (Danny Murphy)
Steven Gerrard (Igor Biscan)
Dietmar Hamann
Gary McAllister
Michael Owen (Robbie Fowler)
Emile Heskey
Won 3-2
Riise 23'
Heskey 45'
Owen 46'
Att
13,824
Jones,could have been englands greatest right back.
clough,never reached the heights he should have.
recall this game,one of our better efforts under souness.
True
DowningShots
24-8-11, 15:05
As an American supporter, I was not a fan of Liverpool (or the Premier League in general) until I reached high school age. I had played Soccer recreationally from the age of 4 but at the time it was rare to find a match on in the United States and the MLS was still a pipe dream. However, I was still absorbed in the game itself and can remember vividly crying anytime that we lost, which I'm sorry to say was more often than I like to remember. :)
What really got me interested in Liverpool was the play of Michael Owen, who reminded me a lot of myself as a player (though I certainly would never be able to dribble through Argentina's defense). In fact, I purchased the black Umbro cleats that were named after him simply because I liked the player. To my great and utter despair, we sold him to Real Madrid not long after that. Luckily, Steven Gerrard took that as his cue to become one of the best players in the world and so became my favorite.
That brings me to the memory itself; Istanbul 2005 when Liverpool successfully navigated the best teams in the world to become Champions of the world's greatest competition. I remember clearly that I was extremely busy on the day and was going to miss it (this is before we had DVR :)). Luckily, my girlfriend at the time recorded the entire match for me to watch a little later that day. I thought it strange that she would say, "I think you will like the result, but its not pretty to begin with." Pretty much one of the most understated things I've ever heard.
And, of course, the game did start horribly; Paolo Maldini and Hernan Crespo had us on the ropes before half-time. However, rather than being crushed as I would have been watching it live, I remembered my girlfriend's words and did my best to remain calm. Something amazing would happen surely?
Six minutes of magic - Gerrard, Smicer and Alonso brought us back into the game and gave all of the supporters belief. The save that Jerzy Dudek pulled off just before the end of extra time and his performance in the penalty shootout is the best I have ever seen in a game of that magnitude. Without him and Gerrard we would have been the laughing stock of the entire Earth and subsequently would not have qualified for the next year's tournament.
Amazing memory and its as sharp in my mind as it was twenty minutes after. I have never watched that match again and I don't need to... That goal Gerrard scored at Olympiakos is a completely different story. :)
YNWA
DowningShots - North Carolina, USA
10 years on Thursday 1st September, Germany 1 England/Liverpool 5
Would be my greatest ever game I attended if it wasn't for Istanbul.
ON THIS DAY IN 2005
Liverpool have won their 3rd Super Cup after super sub Djibril Cisse came off the bench to score the goals to beat CSKA Moscow 3-1 after extra time in Monaco tonight.
It wasn't quite Istanbul, but the Reds produced another second half fight back, before growing in strength as the game went into extra time and making another prestige addition to the Anfield trophy cabinet.
It had looked like it would be a night of frustration for Rafa ?s men as they trailed to Daniel Carvalho's 28th minute strike. But they were saved by substitute Djibril Cisse, who needed just 3 minutes on the pitch to draw his side level.
Liverpool began the game looking very much the sharper side and Hamann tested the Moscow keeper within 2 minutes. They created an even better opportunity soon after when Hamann, again involved, found Garcia clear, but he couldn't control as the goal beckoned.
The Reds continued to dominate possession and Morientes and Garcia both went close. But they were rocked in the 28th minute when CSKA scored from a counter attack that Liverpool themselves would have been proud of.
There seemed to be little danger and little ambition from Moscow, but Wagner-Love suddenly found a defence splitting pass and Carvalho ran around Reina before finishing coolly as the angle narrowed.
The second half started much the same as the first, with Liverpool again in the ascendancy. But as hard as they tried they just couldn't find a way passed CSKA's five man defence.
That was until the 79th minute introduction of Cisse, who had barely got his boots dirty before running passed goalkeeper Akinfeev and slotting into the empty net. There may have been a touch of controversy about Cisse's goal as the ball appeared to touch his hand, but he didn't care as he reeled away to celebrate.
Liverpool had deserved their equalizer and if Cisse's first goal was a timely reminder of his ability, his second 12 minutes into extra time not only won a 3rd Super Cup, but it also made him the hero of the night.
CSKA almost found a way back in the second period of extra time, but Reina saved well from Wagner-Love and the Cup waswon.
A late Luis Garcia header made it safe, with Cisse this time the provider and Rafa's men will return to Liverpool with not just the Super Cup, but with their confidence somewhat boosted as they once again proved their powers of recovery.
Today In History
August 26th
Extra Info
LIVERPOOL V CSKA MOSCOW
UEFA SUPER CUP FINAL
STADE LOUIS 11
MONACO
26-8-2005
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Jose Reina
Josemi Rey
John Arne Riise (Djibril Cisse)
Jamie Carragher
Sami Hyypia
Steve Finnan (Florent Sinama Pongolle)
Luis Garcia
Xabi Alonso (Mohamed Sissoko)
Dietmar Hamann
Boudewijn Zenden
Fernando Morientes
Won 3-1
Cisse 82' 103'
Garcia 119'
Att
17,000
Fantastic Fowler's net profit
Robbie Fowler, who cost the price of Liverpool's best football education, put the millionaires in the shade yesterday with the precious performance of a goal scoring natural.
The 19-year-old scored a hat-trick in four minutes, 35 seconds -- one of the fastest in top-flight football -- and admitted: 'I didn't really have a clue today's goals came so quickly. I thought they were 15 minutes apart.'
While the English game decided to spend itself into a state of apoplectic frenzy, the boy from the back streets was being taught the game at one of its finest cradles of learning. To Liverpool yesterday went a delicious profit. Sutton and Shearer, Cole and Colleymore have gone for fortunes. The price tags get attached to them whenever they take the field and their performances are judged in terms of cost and investment, not their talent.
The most refreshing aspect of Fowler's high-speed hat-trick was the sheer delight that one of Liverpool's own should score with such relish for the club he undoubtedly loves. He took part a defence of mean intent, occupied by four internationals of varying quality, with scoring of the highest pedigree.
The outcome was of scorching importance, giving Liverpool the belief that this start can really lead to something. With Coventry City's 3.75 million pound defender Phil Babb likely to make his last appearance for the sky blues against Aston Villa tonight and join the red campaign later this week, there is a buzz of anticipation at Anfield.
Arsenal are left to contemplate two defeats in six days -- with Blackburn to come on Wednesday, smelling blood. The surprise was that defeat arrived so much out of the blue, just at the time Arsenal seemed to have everything nearly packaged and parcelled. There was nothing between them -- then suddenly the difference was astonishing. It isn't often that Arsenal are mugged.
It wasn't all Fowler, by any means. But any move of note, any string of passes so blissfully laced together, any positive intent, requires someone special to grace it with a finishing touch. Fowler graced three and just could have had a few more just to put the boot in.
The goals were lapped up by a Liverpool crowd driven to ecstasy and quite forgetting the first sight of Anfield without a standing Kop.
Arsenal contributed considerably to their own downfall. The loss of Steve Bould to an injury which may deprive him of an England squad place meant that Martin Keown was moved into central defence. He was to have a game he'd rather forget. It was his mistimed clumsy lunge on Rob Jones, who was moving with no great threat towards the touchline, which gifted Liverpool with a free kick. The precision in Jamie Redknapp's kick was followed by a touch from Ian Rush which granted Fowler the chance to swing a left-footed shot past David Seaman.
The impact of that had not died when Steve McManaman, let loose to roam at his discretion, cut a swathe through the middle and slipped the ball sideways to Fowler. He had all of a yard to aim at but his aim was true, his left-foot shot driven in against the foot of the far post.
The coup de grace followed almost immediately as John Barnes -- as good as his word in these pages on Saturday -- clipped a delightful ball over the befuddled heads of the Arsenal defence for Fowler to slip in, hold off Keown, collect a rebound from the fallen Seaman and arrogantly clip the ball in from the byline.
The goals were over but the joy had only just begun. For this was a Liverpool performance to blow away the cobwebs of the distressing Souness era and indicate that, in Roy Evans, they have a manager with all the Boot Room savvy and the quiet resolve to play the Liverpool way.
Arsenal weren't at the races. Sluggish at the back, indifferent in midfield, lacking any bite up front, this was a ghoulish display which brought the expected condemnation from manager George Graham. 'It was way, way below the level of performance we expect at the club,' he said. 'We were a yard slow today'. ' We looked like a side that had played an away game with a long journey in midweek, they looked like a side who had a break in midweek. I thought their front was excellent, they caused us problems and we couldn't handle them.'
You could see the pleasure brimming inside the Liverpool manager, but Evans is not one to bow to hyperbole. 'The lad Fowler is obviously an immense talent, frightening,' he said. 'but it's about other people as well and he's got to learn to appreciate what they do for him. I think he's getting there.' He's getting there fast. Liverpool expects, and one day England will too.
Today In History
August 28th
Extra Info
LIVERPOOL V ARSENAL
PREMIER LEAGUE
ANFIELD
28-8-1994
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
David James
Steve Nicol
Neil Ruddock
Sting Inge Bjornebye
Rob Jones
Steve McManaman
Jan Molby (Michael Thomas)
Jamie Redknapp
John Barnes
Robbie Fowler
Ian Rush
Won 3-0
Fowler 26' 29' 31'
Att
30,017
Liverpool are through to the group stages of the Champions League after goals from Peter Crouch, Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt (2) gave them a 4-0 victory over Toulouse at Anfield on Tuesday and a 5-0 win on aggregate.
The Reds will now wait until Thursday's draw in Monaco to see which three teams they will be grouped with after Crouch struck in the first half and Hyypia and Kuyt struck in the second to add to Andriy Voronin's strike in France a fortnight ago.
This game was preceded by a moving tribute to Everton fanatic Rhys Jones, whose tragic death has touched the hearts of the whole city. Rhys's beloved Z-Cars anthem was played ahead of the traditional You'll Never Walk Alone, before the players, fans and Rhys's parents and brother stood through an emotional period of applause.
A sell out crowd gave Anfield a familiar feel for a European night, but there was an unfamiliar look to the team sheet because injuries to Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher meant this would be the first time in 103 Euro ties that the Reds have been without at least one of them. Rafa Benitez made six changes from the side that won at Sunderland, with one of them a debut for young Argentine Sebastian Leto.
It was Toulouse who started the game quickest when Emana warmed the hands of Reina with a hooked shot, but Liverpool were soon on the attack with Riise forcing Douchez into a save before Leto quickly endeared himself to the Kop by dancing in from the left and effortlessly beating two men.
Liverpool's 1-0 first leg lead meant Toulouse had to try force the issue here and they started with a good deal more ambition than they had shown in the game in France. But it was Liverpool who looked the more dangerous and they took a deserved lead through Peter Crouch in the 19th minute.
Crouch was making his first appearance of the season, but he was sharp from the start and was first to Dirk Kuyt's deep cross to hook the ball past the despairing dive of the goalkeeper and make Toulouse's task doubly difficult.
It was a goal that meant, because of Voronin's strike in France, Liverpool had one foot in the group stages. And they could have had the tie settled by half time had they taken at least one of the many chances they created before the break.
Crouch was in the action again in the 22nd minute when his drilled shot from a tight angle flashed just wide; and the England man was the scourge of the Toulouse defence again in the 29th minute when he rose highest to head Benayoun's corner just over the crossbar. Benayoun was having a good game on his Anfield debut and some more good work by him in the 33rd minute gave Kuyt a chance that he put just the wrong side of the post.
Any thoughts Toulouse had of a comeback were extinguished in the 49th minute when Sami Hyypia, who was captain for night, found himself free in the area and planted a firm header past Douchez and into the Kop net. Benayoun was again the provider with a pinpoint corner.
It was job done for Liverpool and Rafa had the luxury of making a couple of changes in the second half, with one of them meaning a debut for Lucas.
The Reds created a number of chances to increase their margin of victory, most notably when Dirk Kuyt smashed a shot against the crossbar and Crouch hit over. But Kuyt wasn't to be denied and he scored a superb third in the 87th minute before finishing the scoring with his second and Liverpool's fourth in stoppage time.
Today In History
August 28th
Extra Info
LIVERPOOL V TOULOUSE
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
3ERD QUALIFYING ROUND 2ED LEG
ANFIELD
28-8-2007
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Jose Reina
Alvaro Arbeloa
Sami Hyypia
Daniel Agger (Steve Finnan)
John Arne Riise
Yossi Benayoun
Sebastian Leto (Ryan Babel)
Mohamed Sissoko (Lucas Leiva)
Javier Mascherano
Peter Crouch
Dirk Kuyt
Won 4-0
Crouch 19'
Hyypia 49'
Kuyt 87' 90'
Att
43,118
There are many occasions in the life of the football fan that will remain in our own memories, our first match, our first final ofcourse, derby games and then there are the classic games against some of the top teams in the world. As Liverpool fans we are priveliged and proud to be able to say that we have played and beaten the very best and many of us can say " I was there".
One game that will always remain with me was my first ever evening game and what a game it was, one of the very best and definately one that has helped build what we now refer to as 'Those great Anfield european football nights'. But its a game that is rarely mentioned when fans like to talk about the classic games, something I never understood. I was just eleven years old when I walked with a couple of mates still in our school uniforms in the pouring rain up to Anfield for the European Cup Winners Cup semi final second leg at Anfield against Celtic in 1966.
It was the first time too that I'd witnessed at first hand so many away fans and for the life of me I couldn't understand a word any of them were saying. All I remember is that they frightened the life out of me and my mates and were the reason that we became seperated. We'd walked up from Broadway and got to the Arkles when we met the Celtic fans who were as bedraggled as I was but for some reason they seemed to be unbelievably happy and excited while I was trembling from head to foot not only from the cold and wet, but also from the fact that I was surrounded by thousands of screaming wild men from the north and had lost my mates who were all older than me and the experienced 'bunkers in'. The smell from the hot dog stands mixed in with a really unhealthy kind of sweaty, whisky/beer aroma and the wet, dark, misty night only added to the panic that set in when I realised I'd lost my mates and would have to get in alone. Something I'd done in daylight but only to get in the 'Pen' which was easy, but this was night and I'd promised myself I was going straight into the Kop instead of climbing the fence from the Pen. My escape came via the Kemlyn Road and my night changed in the matter of minutes from a nightmare to not only my real birth as a Kopite but also to one of the greatest nights of my life as a Red.
There was only an hour or so to go before the kickoff and as I approached the Flagpole corner of the Kop down the Kemlyn Rd I could already hear the chants of the Kop and the feeling inside reached a level I'd never yet experienced at a match. I was getting in there no matter what. All my plans went out the window to go down the Albert Alley and get in through the back left entrances when I saw the mad thousands of fans crowded around the turnstiles, there was no way I was going to waste time 'sussing out' the best option so I hung around the turnstiles at the flagpole corner psyching myself up to make the attempt to squeeze through with an unsuspecting fellow Red as he went through the turnstiles, easy for an eleven year old in those days. I got close a couple of times but to my horror every turnstile had a copper on the other side. My night seemed to be on the edge of ending when a copper who was standing between the turnstiles noticed me and called me over, he was just a yard or two away. I was eleven, so I did what i was told and stepped close to him, jeezuz he was gonna clobber me and send me on my way. He leaned down a bit and said " have you got a ticket for this match son?" I remember trying to speak but nothing came out, nothing. I just looked at him expecting a right but it didn't come. Instead, a huge, no, massive leather gloved hand pushed a piece of paper into my hand, I looked down and for the first time in my life I saw, let alone OWNED a ticket for The Kop. I don't even remember which turnstile I had to make my way to, for a short while I was gripping that ticket so hard in case I lost it, the next minutes were gone, I was somehow on autopilot. I will never EVER forget that copper, what a guy, if you're out there and reading this, THANKS.
Every Red who has been to those wintery night games will know what I mean when I say my heart nearly exploded when I reached the top of the Kop steps and caught my first ever glimpse of a floodlit Anfield. The contrast from the dark, misty Walton Breck to the bright, clear glorious green of the floodlit Anfield pitch couldn't be starker and with the loud and bustling hoardes on the Kop moving not only from side to side but also rushing at any given moment ten, fifteen yards down the steps towards the pitch I was in heaven, I was in The Kop.
I was at the St Etienne match years later and that was great too, but the atmosphere that night was something thats never been matched for me, partly because the Celtic fans in the Annie Rd were doing their best to outsing the Kop and to be fair they were doing a great job of it. The atmosphere really was electric. I was no longer dedraggled, wet and worried as I was just a breath ago, I was now a Kopite, proud, loud and part of the team, we were one down from the first leg and it was my job now to help my heros raise their game and beat a team from the city who were playing for the right to play a European final in their home town. This was THE GREAT Celtic team, this same team would go on to be the first ever British team to win the European Cup a year later and we were a goal down to them. The Kop were on top form that night and I like to think I did my bit to help, in fact I swear to this day that it was my psychic powers that lifted the injured Geoff Strong up to head in the winner just minutes after Tommy Smith had whacked in one of his rockets. I missed one of my heros Sir Roger Hunt that night and to be honest I didnt even see any of the goals, but I had many more, Willie Stevenson, Cally and the magnificent Peter Thompson amongst others, but my biggest hero that night was the copper outside who gave me my first chance to be a real Kopite on a night when I thought I was wandering around the corridors of hell. That gesture from him to some rag taggle kid trying to bunk in changed my life forever and I will never forget the guy for that.
The final? well that became a learning curve and one of the greatest lessons to the Liverpool setup which has helped us go on and conquer Europe like no other British club will ever match and we will return to those nights and triumphs, I feel it in my bones, its our destiny and Kenny is back to show us how to get back to where we belong. Bring it on.
A more recent on from me is Liverpool 8 - Besiktas 0.
We needed to pull it out of the bag and when I was leaving work for the afternoon off to avoid any traffic, my mate a fellow red said to me "hope you have a good night and haven't wasted £35 quid"
My mate was called to work away so I took his lad who was 8 at the time instead, first time I'd been trusted to take him out anywhere before.
The second half was just an immense demolition as their keeper was booed and hissed anytime he touched the ball, anfield harshly tore him a deserved new one!
5 - 0 and the kop are chanting "we want 6" then "we want 7" etc...
Babel (back in the days of him being a "supersub") had a great shot from the left wing which rattled the bar was unlucky to not get his hatrick too. Gerrards goal was awesome, the speed that he was running at the Kop made him look invincible.
I just remember the passing during the second half was that good, there was a moment I actually realised "oh god, there is actually another side on the pitch, forgot about them"
A brilliant display, even Voronin was that good he got a standing ovation when he was subbed!
A more recent on from me is Liverpool 8 - Besiktas 0.
We needed to pull it out of the bag and when I was leaving work for the afternoon off to avoid any traffic, my mate a fellow red said to me "hope you have a good night and haven't wasted £35 quid"
My mate was called to work away so I took his lad who was 8 at the time instead, first time I'd been trusted to take him out anywhere before.
The second half was just an immense demolition as their keeper was booed and hissed anytime he touched the ball, anfield harshly tore him a deserved new one!
5 - 0 and the kop are chanting "we want 6" then "we want 7" etc...
Babel (back in the days of him being a "supersub") had a great shot from the left wing which rattled the bar was unlucky to not get his hatrick too. Gerrards goal was awesome, the speed that he was running at the Kop made him look invincible.
I just remember the passing during the second half was that good, there was a moment I actually realised "oh god, there is actually another side on the pitch, forgot about them"
A brilliant display, even Voronin was that good he got a standing ovation when he was subbed!
Liverpool 8 - 0 Besiktas
Game date: 06.11.2007 Stadium: Anfield
Competition: Champions L. 1st Group Ph. Attendance: 41,143
Referee: Merk M (Germany)
Starting line-up
25 Jose Reina
4 Sami Hyypia
6 John Arne Riise
12 Fábio Aurélio
17 Álvaro Arbeloa
23 Jamie Carragher
8 Steven Gerrard
11 Yossi Benayoun
20 Javier Mascherano
10 Andriy Voronin
15 Peter Crouch
Subs
40 David Martin
3 Steve Finnan
7 Harry Kewell
19 Ryan Babel
21 Lucas Leiva
9 Fernando Torres
18 Dirk Kuyt
Goals
Peter Crouch 19'
Yossi Benayoun 32'
Yossi Benayoun 52'
Yossi Benayoun 56'
Steven Gerrard 69'
Ryan Babel 78'
Ryan Babel 81'
Peter Crouch 88'
Substitutions
Fábio Aurélio out for Ryan Babel 63'
Andriy Voronin out for Harry Kewell 72'
Steven Gerrard out for Lucas Leiva 72'
One down, two to go. Liverpool took an emphatic first step towards Champions League redemption with a record-breaking victory against Besiktas last night.
Rafael Benitez’s side followed the words of Steven Gerrard to the letter by going for the jugular and cutting loose in spectacular fashion to post the biggest win in the competition’s history.
The frustrations of their European campaign to date were taken out on the Turkish side as the Anfield outfit rattled eight goals past the disbelieving visitors.
Not a bad way for Benitez to celebrate his 50th game in charge at Liverpool in this tournament.
But the Spaniard’s continued impassive response as the goals flew in demonstrated the collective belief that his team shouldn’t be in this predicament in the first place.
Liverpool’s previous biggest win in the Champions League proper was the 5-0 thumping of Spartak Moscow in 2002. Of course, that season represented the only time the Anfield team have previously failed to progress beyond the group stage of the competition.
And as much of a boost for morale this victory will provide, Liverpool are aware that both Porto and Marseille must still be beaten to win through to the knockout stages.
Indeed, the ease at which they swatted aside Besiktas only served to underline how damaging their 2-1 reverse in Istanbul a fortnight ago may yet ultimately prove.
That defeat had prompted questions about Benitez’s team selection and whether Liverpool were capable of competing for any honours this season. The only debate last night was how many goals the home team would score, netting twice in the first half before letting loose after the break.
The supporters who had been screaming “attack, attack, attack” in despair at the showing for large parts of the goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday evening were sounding the same chant in delight.
Besiktas were admittedly awful, but Liverpool made them that way. Benitez’s side had 28 shots on goal in Istanbul and scored just once; last night they had 30 shots and scored eight.
Peter Crouch bookended the performance – sending a reminder to his manager in the process – while Yossi Benayoun rattled a hat-trick. Gerrard got in on the act and substitute Ryan Babel netted a late brace.
Now Liverpool need to transfer that ruthlessness into their Premier League performances and begin turning domestic draws into wins.
Star performer last night was Benayoun. The Israeli was bought as a replacement for Luis Garcia, and has seemingly inherited the departed Spaniard’s happy knack of producing in the Champions League, scoring three goals and having a hand in two others.
With the fit-again Fernando Torres loitering with intent on the bench, Crouch made the most of only his seventh start of the season following his positive impact as a substitute at Ewood Park.
The striker also caused Besiktas problems during his late cameo in Istanbul, and his sheer presence last night was too much for an increasingly disillusioned centre-back pairing of Ibrahim Uzulmez and Lamine Diatta. It was a compelling argument for Benitez to now make greater use of Crouch.
For their part, Besiktas barely threatened a Liverpool defence in which Sami Hyypia was making the 100th European appearance of his career.
Benitez had made four changes from the team that were held at Blackburn, Crouch coming in to partner Andriy Voronin up front while Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio filled the full-back positions.
And Crouch didn’t waste any time in putting Liverpool ahead in the 19th minute.
Voronin cut in from the left in search of Crouch, only for Edouard Cisse to take the ball off the striker’s feet with a sliding challenge.
However, the tackle inadvertently played Crouch in on goal and, after holding off Uzulmez, the Liverpool man stroked home at the second attempt after Besiktas goalkeeper Hakan Arikan’s initial parry.
Benitez’s side had threatened even before going ahead, Voronin dragging Crouch’s knockdown wide, Crouch off target from a John Arne Riise cross and Benayoun hitting the outside of a post after good work from Javier Mascherano and Arbeloa.
Spurred by his strike, Crouch flashed an ambitious volley across the face and Riise’s header was cleared off the line by Uzulmez from a corner by the impressive Aurelio.
The lead was eventually doubled on 32 minutes when Riise’s long throw down the left found Voronin, who cut inside and waited for reinforcements before picking out Benayoun at the far post, the Israeli taking one touch to control possession before lashing a volley beyond Arikan for Liverpool’s 500th goal in European competition.
Television replays suggested the initial throw-in should have been awarded to Besiktas. But given the fortunate nature of their opener a fortnight ago, the visitors couldn’t quibble about a lack of luck.
Crouch was denied by a fine block from Koray Avci as Liverpool ended the half in total control, a grip that was tightened eight minutes after the interval.
Again Voronin and Riise were instrumental down the left, the Ukrainian feeding his Norwegian team-mate to hit a trademark rasping left-foot shot that Arikan beat out straight to Benayoun, who tapped home.
And the Israeli capitalised on another keeper error three minutes later to complete his hat-trick after Arikan had feebly spilled Gerrard’s low free-kick.
Besiktas substitute Ali Tandogan was lucky to escape with a clear handball shortly afterwards as the visitors lost heart, Arikan redeeming himself slightly with saves in quick succession to deny Gerrard and substitute Babel.
Gerrard, though, wasn’t to be denied his goal which arrived in magnificent fashion on 69 minutes. Racing on to a clever Mascherano pass on the halfway line, the skipper burst forward, exchanged passes with Voronin and lashed a shot that deflected off Diatta past Arikan.
Benayoun turned provider in the 78th minute, taking a pass from Lucas and rolling the ball across the area for Babel to flick nonchalantly home off the back of his foot.
Babel’s second goal three minutes later was somewhat less intended, Toraman belting his clearance against the Dutchman with the ball looping over Arikan, who by now, like most of the Besiktas team, had given up.
Babel was then a crossbar’s width away from a quickfire treble after heading Harry Kewell’s cross and, with a minute remaining, Benayoun found Crouch to head home his second and Liverpool’s eighth.
Referee Markus Merk put Besiktas out of their misery by deciding not to add on any injury time.
But by then, Liverpool had ensured they will have extra time to extend their Champions League campaign.
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurelio ( Babel 63); Benayoun, Gerrard (Lucas 72), Mascherano, Riise; Voronin (Kewell 72), Crouch. Subs: Martin, Finnan, Kuyt, Torres.
BESIKTAS (4-2-3-1): Arikan; Kurtulus (Higuain 62), Diatta, Toraman, Uzulmez; Avci, Cisse; Ozkan (Tandogan 46), Delgado, Sedef (Ricardinho 78); Bobo. Subs: Recber, Yozgatli, Kas, Karadeniz.
BOOKING: Ozkan (unsporting behaviour).
REFEREE: Markus Merk (Germany).
ATT: 41,143.
Ruud Gullit arrived on Tyneside promising to bring "sexy football" to Newcastle - but today it came from Liverpool.
Michael Owen smashed a sensational hat-trick in 15 first-half minutes as the Merseysiders turned in a breathtaking display to surge to the top of the Premiership.
New Magpies boss Gullit sat down to watch the game from the directors' box in the stand, but by half-time he was forced to move down to the touchline as Liverpool threatened to run riot with Patrik Berger also on target.
The visiting fans taunted their hosts with chants of "Dalglish, Dalglish" in honour of the Anfield hero who was replaced by Gullit in a dramatic week of change on Tyneside.
And they also told Gullit what he could do with his "sexy football" - as Liverpool provided all the knee-trembling moments.
Gullit was presented with a nightmare by his new charges after being given a rapturous welcome by the expectant Toon Army, with Stephane Guivarc'h - Kenny Dalglish's most questioned buy - providing scant consolation with a debut goal.
In stark contrast, Liverpool are still unbeaten and under joint-bosses Gerard Houllier and Roy Evans are playing a brand of football that could well become the benchmark for the season.
They are playing to their strengths with Newcastle being stretched all over the place by blinding pace from the brilliant Owen to the inventive running Steve McManaman.
England hardman Paul Ince was an early victim as Liverpool set the pace. Gary Speed clattered into Ince's suspect ankle but Jamie Carragher's tackle on Dietmar Hamann resulted in the German midfielder limping off after 12 minutes as the visitors hit back.
The return of Jamie Redknapp had seen Jason McAteer left out - not the expected Berger - with Liverpool's desire to play attacking football plain to see. And how it worked.
They were ahead after 17 minutes when Ince's 25-yard drive was punched out by Shay Given. The angle was acute, but Owen was on the rebound in a flash to drive the ball back in first time.
Given did his best to get across, but he could not stop the ball squeezing inside the near post as the diminutive World Cup star opened his account.
A minute later the Geordies were stunned again, and Gullit was left head down, scribbling away furiously on a giant notepad after a second goal for Owen.
McManaman won possession in midfield and waited patiently before splitting the Newcastle defence with a superb through-ball. Owen was away again, keeping his cool and casually slipping the ball under the advancing Given.
Owen's pace was destroying a pedestrian defence, with Stuart Pearce and Philippe Albert looking badly out of touch, and he could easily have had another when his shot was blocked after a Berger cross-shot had skimmed across the area.
Newcastle's response was a goal of their own after 27 minutes. Rob Lee scrambled the ball away from a dithering Phil Babb, and the Newcastle midfielder surged into the box where Liverpool were hopelessly outnumbered.
The cut-back was met by French World Cup winner Guivarc'h and his scooped shot went in off the far post.
The home side might have been back within striking distance, but in reality Newcastle were hopelessly at sea against the pace and quick passing of Liverpool's imaginative attack.
Sure enough, Liverpool struck again with a magnificent third. It came after 32 minutes when Karlheinz Riedle caught Steve Watson in possession. His quick pass sent Owen scampering away again.
He rode Albert's blatant attempt to chop him down with arrogance, and glided away to clip a stunning right-foot shot into the top corner to seal his hat-trick.
The barrage continued when Riedle headed fractionally over from a sweeping three-man move with Newcastle in disarray and Gullit scribbling furiously.
The fourth came on the stroke of half-time, and once again defenders were punished for being slow in possession.
Berger robbed Laurent Charvet, surged on past Watson and drilled a fine shot across Given and in at the far post.
Gullit was gone from his seat by then, no doubt waiting for his new team in the dressing room.
The second half saw the Dutchman standing by the dug-out, having switched the side to 4-4-2 and replaced debutant Carl Serrant with Warren Barton.
The response from Newcastle was commendable, the fight and spirit was there, as Gullit paced the touchline. But even though the pressure was there from Newcastle, the goalscoring chances never came.
The best they constructed was a ball across the box from Gary Speed that found Alan Shearer unmarked on the six-yard line, but his lunge for the ball only took it past the post on a day that belonged to his England sidekick Owen.
Newcastle: Given, Watson (Dabizas, 77), Charvet, Pearce, Albert, Serrant (Barton, 45), Lee, Hamann (Glass, 12), Speed, Guivarc'h, Shearer.
Subs not used: Perez, Dalglish.
Booked: Albert, Lee.
Liverpool: Friedel, Staunton, Babb, Heggem, Carragher, Ince, Redknapp (McAteer, 85), McManaman (Thompson, 88), Riedle, Berger, Owen.
Subs not used: James, Kvarme, Harkness.
Booked: Babb, McManaman, Ince.
It was such a fine day on Merseyside that the crisis decided to take a stroll, crossing Stanley Park from Anfield to Goodison, bringing relief to Gerard Houllier and turning the pressure of anguished inquisition on to Bill Kenwright and his fellow Everton directors.
For the next few days, at least, those iniquitous phone-ins are likely to be concentrating more on why the Everton manager, David Moyes, has been unable to secure one or two of his transfer targets than the perceived shortcomings of Houllier's Liverpool, who obtained their first win of the season due to Michael Owen's capacity for scoring goals and, to a lesser but nonetheless significant extent, Jerzy Dudek's knack of preventing them.
Until the match swung conclusively towards the end, an impressive Harry Kewell finding the net for the first time since his arrival from Leeds, there was always hope for Everton. But in the post-match analysis it came down to the fact that Owen had been successful with his finishing on two occasions while Wayne Rooney, the victim of breathtaking saves immediately after each, had not. Even the most positive thing Moyes could think of to say - "we probably had more chances than Liverpool" - was tendered in a spirit of observation rather than consolation.
There is plenty of time for Rooney to win derbies but in the here and now few can dictate the course of these and other events with the facility of Owen. As half-time approached we were marvelling at how a world-class striker could look an ordinary footballer; we have done it before and, being slow learners, may do it again. Then Kewell stroked the ball through and Owen, having deftly touched the ball past Steve Simonsen, rolled it in off a post. His second, prompted by Milan Baros, came not long after the interval. "I don't recall him having any other chances up to that point," Moyes said, teeth grinding in admiration.
Houllier described Owen's contribution thus: "In big games, big players show big." The Liverpool manager had conceded in advance that this was an even bigger match for his team than the hosts, presumably because Liverpool were the ones falling below expectation. Afterwards, he was first into the press room to declare: "The Reds are not dead yet." A headline, bang on deadline, for the boys and girls who, with the assistance of many supporters and quite a few ex-players, had begun to write his regime off. It was always a shade early for that and, on a day of firsts, Houllier was entitled to remark, with as much nonchalance as he could summon in such satisfying circumstances: "I'm told I am the first Liverpool manager to have won here four times in a row."
Another of Houllier's big players, Steven Gerrard, stood his full height. Twice suspended after defacing derbies with ugly challenges, the England midfielder gave an outstanding display in front of the back four, acting as a platform from which El Hadji Diouf, Vladimir Smicer and Kewell could spring attacks. "In a derby," Houllier said, "you need emotional maturity, which I think the team are getting, probably through European experience." There was no better example than Gerrard, and none more pleasantly surprising; Sven-Goran Eriksson would have been almost as heartened as Houllier.
But some of Houllier's medium-sized players appeared to have grown, too. Diouf, in particular; I cannot understand why the Senegal attacker is still on lists of dubious Liverpool signings. He finished last season pretty well and has begun this one brightly. Here, having seen off poor David Unsworth in the first half, he continued to flourish in a flexible attacking system that may in time silence some of Liverpool's critics. Meanwhile, Igor Biscan did well in defence, even though his often hard-pressed side had to wait for Kewell to bring them comfort.
We had been told that Rooney, despite the brilliance of his goal at Charlton, remained some way off full match fitness. An early turn and flick through for Tomasz Radzinski, who cut inside and shot wide, indicated that the boy was still capable of doing damage. The next gasp of admiration, however, was induced by Biscan, who muscled Rooney off the ball: already quite a distiction. Then Biscan reacted to the sight of Radzinski flying into Liverpool's penalty with a marvellous tackle.
Rooney's frustration was to culminate in a caution, his third in four matches. It was caused by, among other things, Dudek's advance to parry minutes after Owen had opened the scoring. Then, minutes after Owen had taken advantage of Baros's outmanoeuvring of Joseph Yobo to drill home his second, Rooney rose to a corner, twisted and headed too close to the Polish goalkeeper, whose firm hands completed the job.
Rooney failed with another excellent aerial opportunity; the substitute Duncan Ferguson curled a superb free-kick against the underside of the crossbar. But it was Simonsen, deputising for the injured Richard Wright, who let the next and final goal in, leaving his charge in a vain attempt to stop Owen, whose cross found its way to Kewell, who drove past a desperately stretching Gary Naysmith on the line.
Team details
Everton: Simonsen, Pistone, Yobo, Stubbs, Unsworth (Gravesen 45), Watson, Linderoth (Ferguson 71), Pembridge, Naysmith, Radzinski, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Weir, Chadwick, Turner.
Booked: Naysmith, Watson, Rooney.
Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Biscan, Hyypia, Carragher, Gerrard, Diouf (Riise 89), Smicer (Murphy 72), Kewell, Baros (Heskey 73), Owen.
Subs Not Used: Diao, Kirkland.
Booked: Kewell, Finnan, Baros.
Goals: Owen 39, 52, Kewell 80.
Att: 40,200
Liverpool Daily Post report
DISCORD off the pitch at Anfield continues to be accompanied by harmony on it.
It was a more familiar, less troubled Rafael Benitez that greeted the media after Saturday’s victory than the figure which has raged against authority and adversaries in recent weeks.
Unsurprisingly, perhaps.
After all, his relentless Liverpool side had just routed Derby County 6-0 to go top of the Premier League for the first time in the Spaniard’s reign, with three of his new signings finding the back of the net in the impressive win.
Such small matters, of course, would cheer characters far more cantankerous than the usually affable Benitez.
While the manager’s mood will not have been lightened by the timing of his assistant Pako Ayesteran’s surprising decision to quit the club, this slick performance provided the perfect tonic.
A series of running disagreements between the pair has brought an end to a union which has spanned some 11 years, just as the project they set in motion in 2004 – to bring a close to Liverpool’s long wait for the title – has begun to gather pace.
A welcomed return of Benitez’s post-match bonhomie then, as the Anfield outfit revisited a position they have not occupied since 2002, when El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao combined for the latter to fire Liverpool to the summit of the league with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United.
It proved to be something of a false dawn for Gerrard Houllier’s regime and his expensive summer signings, as the Frenchman oversaw a disappointing fifth-placed finish that term.
Four of the six strikes on Saturday were collected by Benitez’s new arrivals. But should goalscorers Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres call time on their Anfield careers tomorrow, they will have already shown more promise in a month than Houllier’s Senegalese misfits did in their entire stay.
Torres in particular caught the eye, the Spain striker continuing his seamless introduction into English football with a powerful display which brought him a second-half double.
More than any of the summer captures, the 22-year-old has transformed Benitez’s men as an attacking force, adding pace, strength and guile to the Spaniard’s forward line.
Torres’s appetite for graft has also helped the marksman to settle quickly to life in the Premier League. On one of the few occasions a Liverpool move broke down at his feet, the youngster harried and chased Derby’s players until he won back possession for his side.
This was also Babel’s most impressive showing to date, the Dutch forward adding Liverpool’s second on the stroke of half-time after Xabi Alonso, who also collected a brace, had opened the scoring with a floated free-kick on 26 minutes.
Babel’s international coach, Marco van Basten, has hailed the 20-year-old as the next Thierry Henry.
And, just as the France front-runner struggled with life on the wing at Juventus before excelling at Arsenal as a striker, Liverpool are unlikely to see the best of Babel until he is afforded greater opportunities in his favoured central role.
As his delightful goal proved, Babel, who began on the left, is clearly blessed with an abundance of talent.
Yet, he does not always look particularly comfortable in wide positions, performing the majority of his work from an infield position.
It would not be overstating the point to say that he bears the look of a striker playing on the wing. It was only after switching flanks with this game’s outstanding performer, Jermaine Pennant, in the first half that his influence grew.
Pennant was exceptional, all pace and purpose along both wings, giving further credibility to the flier’s England prospects which at the turn of the year had seemed fanciful.
Being the most in-form Englishman in your position is still no guarantee of selection, however, with a manager as incompetent as Steve McClaren at the helm. As the injured Jamie Carragher, who sat alongside fellow crock Steven Gerrard in the directors’ box, could testify.
More than one wag leaving Anfield on Saturday suggested that after such a display the captain and vice captain would struggle to get back in the first team.
It is testament to Pennant’s recent showings that when Gerrard does return to fitness, the 27-year-old will be competing only for a role in the centre, where Javier Mascherano and Alonso both excelled against the Rams.
Alonso began the scoring on 26 minutes, after Torres had earlier tested Steven Bywater with a towering header from Pennant’s centre, the keeper’s save greeted with chants of “England’s number one” from the visiting supporters in the Anfield Road end.
If, as recent evidence suggests, a propensity for blunders is a pre-requisite for Three Lions shot-stoppers, then Bywater certainly has the credentials, the Derby keeper flapping at Alonso’s 35-yards set-piece which drifted in at the far post unchallenged. A comparatively close-range strike by the Spaniard’s usual standards.
Pennant, who won the free-kick for the opener, had by now taken control of the game on the left, ghosting past Derby full-back Tyrone Mears at will.
The former Birmingham and Arsenal man twice crafted openings for Dirk Kuyt with pin-point centres, but the Dutchman was off target on both occasions.
Unsurprisingly, Pennant, who was withdrawn on 61-minutes with a slight groin strain, was involved in Liverpool’s second and the pick of the six, unleashing Alvaro Arbeloa into the penalty box with a cutting throughball. The one-time Deportivo defender, a revelation at left-back this term, cut the ball back for the lurking Babel, who took lumbering centre-backs Andy Todd and Claude Davis out of the equation with a neat shift of the ball from his left foot to his right before firing home with aplomb.
The goal did much for Babel’s self belief, the £11m signing coming alive after the break.
When Liverpool’s inevitable third arrived on 55 minutes, however, it was from the boot of another newcomer, Torres.
Not since Michael Owen departed for Real Madrid in 2004 have the Anfield outfit possessed a striker who could create chances for himself with such ease.
Mascherano’s snapping tackle on the dawdling Robert Malcolm gave the £18m man possession on the edge of the box, Torres drifting across the face of goal before picking his spot with his left foot.
The former Atletico Madrid captain was then guilty of missing a far simpler chance, however, when Babel’s stinging shot ricocheted into his path.
Alonso added a fourth on 69 minutes after James McEveley’s fierce challenge on substitute Yossi Benayoun gave the midfielder the opportunity to stroke home from inside the area.
The tireless Kuyt, however, continued to be frustrated by Bywater, although Andriy Voronin, on from the bench, was alert to take advantage of the keeper’s save from the Dutch striker’s 76th-minute effort, prodding home from close range.
Voronin then had a hand in Torres’s second and Liverpool’s sixth when the Spaniard seized on his throughball, which the Derby defence failed to deal with, to complete the scoring two minutes later.
There was to be no first Premier League strike of the season for Kuyt, however, Bywater again thwarting the former Feyenoord man after Benayoun had given him a sight of goal with two minutes remaining.
It was, admitted Benitez afterwards, the only aspect which took the shine off this impressive display for the manager.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Arbeloa, Pennant (Benayoun 61), Mascherano (Sissoko 77), Alonso, Babel (Voronin 73), Torres, Kuyt. Subs: Itandje, Riise.
DERBY: Bywater, Griffin (Moore 80), Malcolm (Teale 59), Davis, Camara (McEveley 63), Todd, Fagan, Oakley, Mears, Pearson, Howard. Subs: Price, Earnshaw.
BOOKING: Griffin.
REFEREE: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).
ATT: 44,076
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post
ON THIS DAY IN 1978
Great matches: 7 & out for Tottenham
Tottenham, strengthened by the arrival of World Cup-winner Osvaldo Ardiles and his countryman Ricardo Villa, arrived at Anfield hopeful of winning at Anfield for the first time since the year in which the Titanic sank - 1912! But they returned to London smarting from their biggest-ever League defeat, outclassed from the first minute to the last, conceding seven goals and providing the home public with the memory of one of Liverpool's greatest-ever goals. Liverpool had already found the net 9 times in their three-match winning start to the season with Kenny Dalglish a scorer in all 3 games. It only took him 8 minutes to get off the mark in this one, turning to slide a low shot under Barry Daines after Jimmy Case had mis-directed his shot. Dalglish repeated that effort after 20 minutes to put the home team in firm control of the match. Once again Case was involved with a long shot being diverted just inside the post by Liverpool's No. 7. Before half-time Ray Kennedy had headed the Reds further in front, although his far-post effort appeared to get a touch off Liverpool-born John Lacy before it found the net.
It was in the second-half that Liverpool really took Spurs apart. David Johnson, making his first appearance of the season as a first-half substitute for the injured Emlyn Hughes, took full advantage of his chance by scoring the 4th and 5th goals. After 64 minutes John Duncan made a miraculous clearance off the line to save a certain goal but then undid all his good work a few seconds later by tripping Heighway inside the box. Daines dived to his right to block Phil Neal's penalty-kick but the referee decided that the Spurs 'keeper had moved before the kick was taken. Neal's second attempt went to the same side of the goal but higher up; although Daines got close, there was too much power and accuracy in the shot for him to make a save for a second time. With about a quarter of an hour left came the goal that is still talked about in awe today. It started deep inside Liverpool's penalty-area during a rare spell of Spurs pressure. Clemence to Ray Kennedy, then on to Dalglish for a quick pass up towards the centre-circle where Johnson was waiting. Quick control and a smart turn then a wonderful pass out towards Heighway who was galloping up the left touchline. Heighway never broke stride as he crossed the ball first-time and Terry McDermott, who had run almost the whole length of the pitch while all this was going on, met the cross at the far post with a bullet header which flashed past Daines before he could move. It really was a wonderful moment and typified Liverpool's style not just in this match but during a season in which they played some wonderful football with great consistency.
Footnote
-----------
There was only one poor spell this season when successive away matches were lost in December at Bristol City and Arsenal. There was another defeat in the Super Cup at Anderlecht in between those two League losses. But only 4 League games were lost all season, with 30 wins and 8 draws making up Liverpool's points total of 68 points. At home they were almost invincible. Only four clubs even scored at Anfield and only Leeds and Everton escaped with a point. There was a new points record (2 points for a win in those days of course) and a "reward" from a newspaper for achieving an average of 2 goals per League game, reached by Jimmy Case shortly before half-time in the final match at Elland Road. Other clubs have won the championship by losing less matches than Liverpool did in 1978-79 but it is doubtful if any team has ever won the title in such a positive way. Although Dalglish and Johnson accounted for 37 of the goals, there were important contributions from the midfield - no fewer than 33 came from the quartet of Ray Kennedy, Graeme Souness, Terry McDermott and Jimmy Case. Although the team was disappointed at their early exits from the Champions' Cup to Nottingham Forest and the League Cup to Sheffield United, they more than made up for it with some breathtaking performances in the League. The Double would have to wait for another 7 seasons when Manchester United won the semi-final after a Goodison replay. But Liverpool were only beaten once in the League (at Villa Park) after the turn of the year as they marched on to increase their record number of English championships to eleven.
Liverpool : Clemence, Neal, Alan Kennedy, Thompson, Ray Kennedy, Hughes (Johnson), Dalglish, Case, Heighway, Souness, McDermott.
Tottenham : Daines, McAllister, Naylor, Hoddle, Lacy, Perryman, Villa, Ardiles, Taylor, Duncan, McNab
London Bridge Is Falling Down
Throughout the season Liverpool handed out a fair number of hammerings. Man City, Norwich and Bolton were all beaten 4-1 on their own grounds, Derby let in 5 at Anfield while Norwich (again) were blitzed 6-0 in front of the Kop (and John Bond heh heh).
It's the Tottenham game that everyone will remember. On 2nd September 1978, the Londoners arrived with their World Cup winners Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricky Villa, along with some chap called Glenn Hoddle. The game has had a rather tight-fisted 10 minute segment featured on a few videos like Best & Marsh The Perfect Nightmare and Greavie's 70's Memories (short tape, that) but it is to be hoped that our link with Granada will ensure that treasures like the St Etienne 3-1 and the Bruges 3-2 will once more see the light of day. For those who simply cannot remember that brilliant day, here are the goals again.
ONE NIL: Liverpool were kicking towards the Kop first half. Presumably the Spurs captain won the toss and decided to defend at the Kop first to take the sting out of our attack. Oops! Jimmy Case tries a long-range shot, mis-hits it to Kenny, brilliant turn and shot under Barry Danes from twelve yards.
TWO NIL: Another mis-hit shot by Case to Dalglish who deliberately re-directs the ball into the net.
THREE NIL: Deep cross from Terry Mac, Ray Kennedy rises majestically to head and, er, Lacey makes no mistake helping it in. It gets better, believe me.
Second half, with Liverpool now attacking the Anny Road end. FOUR NIL: Dalglish shot saved by Danes but Johnson (on as sub) blasts in the rebound.
FIVE NIL: Kenny puts Johnson in for his second, a left foot shot under Danes from the edge of the box. Bit of a girlie goal celebration, but you can't have everything.
SIX NIL: After constant Liverpool pressure, Heighway is fouled in the area and Danes saves Neal's initial penalty. So the referee, quite rightly, decided 5 isn't enough and gives Phil another crack at it. The Kop starts to sing "We're going to win the league" to the tune of Boney M's 'Brown Girl In The Ring'……..Puts 'Go West' into perspective, I suppose!
SEVEN NIL: Along with the third at Wembley in 1974, the goal that most accurately epitomises The Liverpool Way. It was voted the best goal that the Reds have ever scored, and you will not find me arguing the point. An apology is due in advance, as the written word will never do any goal justice, certainly not this one. Ray Kennedy heads the ball clear on the edge of our box. Dalglish collects, turns and passes to Johnson on the right side of the centre circle. He sweeps the ball diagonally forward to the left touchline - they would canonise Beckham for such a pass, and this is David Johnson. Heighway meets the ball on the run and he crosses it first time to the far post. Terry McDermott has taken 8 seconds to get from the edge of his own box to the opposition six yard box (Linford Christie knows the secret) and heads emphatically home."Poetry in motion, tra la la la la". DH
ON THIS DAY IN 1978
Great matches: 7 & out for Tottenham
Tottenham, strengthened by the arrival of World Cup-winner Osvaldo Ardiles and his countryman Ricardo Villa, arrived at Anfield hopeful of winning at Anfield for the first time since the year in which the Titanic sank - 1912! But they returned to London smarting from their biggest-ever League defeat, outclassed from the first minute to the last, conceding seven goals and providing the home public with the memory of one of Liverpool's greatest-ever goals. Liverpool had already found the net 9 times in their three-match winning start to the season with Kenny Dalglish a scorer in all 3 games. It only took him 8 minutes to get off the mark in this one, turning to slide a low shot under Barry Daines after Jimmy Case had mis-directed his shot. Dalglish repeated that effort after 20 minutes to put the home team in firm control of the match. Once again Case was involved with a long shot being diverted just inside the post by Liverpool's No. 7. Before half-time Ray Kennedy had headed the Reds further in front, although his far-post effort appeared to get a touch off Liverpool-born John Lacy before it found the net.
It was in the second-half that Liverpool really took Spurs apart. David Johnson, making his first appearance of the season as a first-half substitute for the injured Emlyn Hughes, took full advantage of his chance by scoring the 4th and 5th goals. After 64 minutes John Duncan made a miraculous clearance off the line to save a certain goal but then undid all his good work a few seconds later by tripping Heighway inside the box. Daines dived to his right to block Phil Neal's penalty-kick but the referee decided that the Spurs 'keeper had moved before the kick was taken. Neal's second attempt went to the same side of the goal but higher up; although Daines got close, there was too much power and accuracy in the shot for him to make a save for a second time. With about a quarter of an hour left came the goal that is still talked about in awe today. It started deep inside Liverpool's penalty-area during a rare spell of Spurs pressure. Clemence to Ray Kennedy, then on to Dalglish for a quick pass up towards the centre-circle where Johnson was waiting. Quick control and a smart turn then a wonderful pass out towards Heighway who was galloping up the left touchline. Heighway never broke stride as he crossed the ball first-time and Terry McDermott, who had run almost the whole length of the pitch while all this was going on, met the cross at the far post with a bullet header which flashed past Daines before he could move. It really was a wonderful moment and typified Liverpool's style not just in this match but during a season in which they played some wonderful football with great consistency.
Footnote
-----------
There was only one poor spell this season when successive away matches were lost in December at Bristol City and Arsenal. There was another defeat in the Super Cup at Anderlecht in between those two League losses. But only 4 League games were lost all season, with 30 wins and 8 draws making up Liverpool's points total of 68 points. At home they were almost invincible. Only four clubs even scored at Anfield and only Leeds and Everton escaped with a point. There was a new points record (2 points for a win in those days of course) and a "reward" from a newspaper for achieving an average of 2 goals per League game, reached by Jimmy Case shortly before half-time in the final match at Elland Road. Other clubs have won the championship by losing less matches than Liverpool did in 1978-79 but it is doubtful if any team has ever won the title in such a positive way. Although Dalglish and Johnson accounted for 37 of the goals, there were important contributions from the midfield - no fewer than 33 came from the quartet of Ray Kennedy, Graeme Souness, Terry McDermott and Jimmy Case. Although the team was disappointed at their early exits from the Champions' Cup to Nottingham Forest and the League Cup to Sheffield United, they more than made up for it with some breathtaking performances in the League. The Double would have to wait for another 7 seasons when Manchester United won the semi-final after a Goodison replay. But Liverpool were only beaten once in the League (at Villa Park) after the turn of the year as they marched on to increase their record number of English championships to eleven.
Liverpool : Clemence, Neal, Alan Kennedy, Thompson, Ray Kennedy, Hughes (Johnson), Dalglish, Case, Heighway, Souness, McDermott.
Tottenham : Daines, McAllister, Naylor, Hoddle, Lacy, Perryman, Villa, Ardiles, Taylor, Duncan, McNab
London Bridge Is Falling Down
Throughout the season Liverpool handed out a fair number of hammerings. Man City, Norwich and Bolton were all beaten 4-1 on their own grounds, Derby let in 5 at Anfield while Norwich (again) were blitzed 6-0 in front of the Kop (and John Bond heh heh).
It's the Tottenham game that everyone will remember. On 2nd September 1978, the Londoners arrived with their World Cup winners Osvaldo Ardiles and Ricky Villa, along with some chap called Glenn Hoddle. The game has had a rather tight-fisted 10 minute segment featured on a few videos like Best & Marsh The Perfect Nightmare and Greavie's 70's Memories (short tape, that) but it is to be hoped that our link with Granada will ensure that treasures like the St Etienne 3-1 and the Bruges 3-2 will once more see the light of day. For those who simply cannot remember that brilliant day, here are the goals again.
ONE NIL: Liverpool were kicking towards the Kop first half. Presumably the Spurs captain won the toss and decided to defend at the Kop first to take the sting out of our attack. Oops! Jimmy Case tries a long-range shot, mis-hits it to Kenny, brilliant turn and shot under Barry Danes from twelve yards.
TWO NIL: Another mis-hit shot by Case to Dalglish who deliberately re-directs the ball into the net.
THREE NIL: Deep cross from Terry Mac, Ray Kennedy rises majestically to head and, er, Lacey makes no mistake helping it in. It gets better, believe me.
Second half, with Liverpool now attacking the Anny Road end. FOUR NIL: Dalglish shot saved by Danes but Johnson (on as sub) blasts in the rebound.
FIVE NIL: Kenny puts Johnson in for his second, a left foot shot under Danes from the edge of the box. Bit of a girlie goal celebration, but you can't have everything.
SIX NIL: After constant Liverpool pressure, Heighway is fouled in the area and Danes saves Neal's initial penalty. So the referee, quite rightly, decided 5 isn't enough and gives Phil another crack at it. The Kop starts to sing "We're going to win the league" to the tune of Boney M's 'Brown Girl In The Ring'……..Puts 'Go West' into perspective, I suppose!
SEVEN NIL: Along with the third at Wembley in 1974, the goal that most accurately epitomises The Liverpool Way. It was voted the best goal that the Reds have ever scored, and you will not find me arguing the point. An apology is due in advance, as the written word will never do any goal justice, certainly not this one. Ray Kennedy heads the ball clear on the edge of our box. Dalglish collects, turns and passes to Johnson on the right side of the centre circle. He sweeps the ball diagonally forward to the left touchline - they would canonise Beckham for such a pass, and this is David Johnson. Heighway meets the ball on the run and he crosses it first time to the far post. Terry McDermott has taken 8 seconds to get from the edge of his own box to the opposition six yard box (Linford Christie knows the secret) and heads emphatically home."Poetry in motion, tra la la la la". DH
this for me beats our 5 nil over forest?
mainly because i was ten years old,still in total awe of my hero,Dalglish,reason why Liverpool are my team still today.
just the whole day,sun was hitting the pitch all game,great players,great goals.hammered the london lot.
the last goal STILL the best ever seen at our ground.
YNWA
ON THIS DAY IN 1989
Liverpool 9 Crystal Palace 0
A 9-0 demolition over newly promoted Palace gave a great send off to John Aldridge. Aldo came off the bench to score a penalty in his final game at Anfield before his move to Real Sociedad. It was a night to remember that's for sure anyway.
Steve Nicol curled in the opening goal after just eight minutes and the floodgates opened. Steve McMahon lobbed Suckling eight minutes later to double the lead. Palace however managed to contain the Reds until just before half time when Ian Rush made it 3-0.
In the second half the Reds didn't ease off the gas either as they ran in another six goals. Eleven minutes in to the half and Gary Gillespie scored a diving header. Peter Beardsley was the next one on the scoresheet when he scored just after the hour mark.
The Reds were awarded a penalty in front of the Kop. The crowd all chanted for Also to come on and Kenny sent him on. His first touch was to place the ball on the spot turn around and then score to make it 6-0 to the Reds. It was party time now.
At the other end Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty but in capping off a miserable night for the Londoners Geoff Thomas missed from the spot. The Reds went up to the other end and scored a seventh through John Barnes. Barnes himself then setup Glenn Hysen from a corner for the eighth. Finally it was Steve Nicol, who had started the scoring, who would finish it by bagging the ninth and final goal of the night.
Liverpool Grobbelaar, Hysen, Burrows, Nicol, Whelan, Hansen, Beardsley (Aldridge 66), Gillespie, Rush, Barnes, McMahon (Molby 79)
Unused Subs -
Goal(s) Nicol 2 (7, 90), McMahon (15), Rush (45), Gillespie (56), Beardsley (61), Aldridge (pen 67), Barnes (79), Hysen (82)
Shirt Worn Home-Red
Crystal Palace Suckling, Pemberton, Burke, Gray, Hopkins, O'Reilly, McGoldrick, Thomas, Bright, Wright, Pardew
Unused Subs Shaw, Dyer
Referee Keren Barratt
Att 35779
Venue Anfield
Kick Off
Date 12/09/1989
ON THIS DAY IN 1989
Liverpool 9 Crystal Palace 0
A 9-0 demolition over newly promoted Palace gave a great send off to John Aldridge. Aldo came off the bench to score a penalty in his final game at Anfield before his move to Real Sociedad. It was a night to remember that's for sure anyway.
Steve Nicol curled in the opening goal after just eight minutes and the floodgates opened. Steve McMahon lobbed Suckling eight minutes later to double the lead. Palace however managed to contain the Reds until just before half time when Ian Rush made it 3-0.
In the second half the Reds didn't ease off the gas either as they ran in another six goals. Eleven minutes in to the half and Gary Gillespie scored a diving header. Peter Beardsley was the next one on the scoresheet when he scored just after the hour mark.
The Reds were awarded a penalty in front of the Kop. The crowd all chanted for Also to come on and Kenny sent him on. His first touch was to place the ball on the spot turn around and then score to make it 6-0 to the Reds. It was party time now.
At the other end Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty but in capping off a miserable night for the Londoners Geoff Thomas missed from the spot. The Reds went up to the other end and scored a seventh through John Barnes. Barnes himself then setup Glenn Hysen from a corner for the eighth. Finally it was Steve Nicol, who had started the scoring, who would finish it by bagging the ninth and final goal of the night.
Liverpool Grobbelaar, Hysen, Burrows, Nicol, Whelan, Hansen, Beardsley (Aldridge 66), Gillespie, Rush, Barnes, McMahon (Molby 79)
Unused Subs -
Goal(s) Nicol 2 (7, 90), McMahon (15), Rush (45), Gillespie (56), Beardsley (61), Aldridge (pen 67), Barnes (79), Hysen (82)
Shirt Worn Home-Red
Crystal Palace Suckling, Pemberton, Burke, Gray, Hopkins, O'Reilly, McGoldrick, Thomas, Bright, Wright, Pardew
Unused Subs Shaw, Dyer
Referee Keren Barratt
Att 35779
Venue Anfield
Kick Off
Date 12/09/1989
not sure why? but i always thougt we had nine DIFFERENT scores that evening.silly me.
now thats a starting eleven:)
not sure why? but i always thougt we had nine DIFFERENT scores that evening.silly me.
now thats a starting eleven:)
I think you may be thinking of Strømsgodset IF that was 11-0
Alec Lindsay 3' pen
Phil Boersma 13'
Phil Thompson 30'
Phil Boersma 40'
Steve Heighway 42'
Peter Cormack 65'
Phil Thompson 74'
Emlyn Hughes 76'
Tommy Smith 85'
Ian Callaghan 87'
Ray Kennedy 88'
Brian Hall was the only outfield player not to score
The first European night at Anfield
Forty-Seven years ago Liverpool played their first European game at Anfield Road. The game was played on the Monday the 14th of September 1964. Their opponents were the Icelandic champions K.R. (Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur - The Reykjavík Football Club). The first leg in Reykjavík ended with a 5:0 victory for Liverpool. It was clear for everyone that the Icelanders were going to be up against it the second leg.
The K.R party arrived in Liverpool firmly in the public eye. After all they were the first foreign club to play at Anfield Road in a competitive game. The local papers wrote a lot about the visitors. Focusing not least on their wives! The K.R. players had taken their wives and girlfriends with them for a bit of a holiday!
Liverpool had lost their league game on Saturday 1-0 away against Sheffield Wednesday. Liverpool had in fact only won two of their first seven league games of the season. Peter Thompson and Gordon Wallace were not fit. The Scot Bobby Graham came in for his debut. Alan A´Court took the other available place for a game that proved to be his last in a great career for Liverpool.
The Anfield faithful were in good spirit looking forward to their first European night at Anfield Road. The announcer welcomed the visitors from Iceland before the game. In one Icelandic newspaper, Tíminn (The Time), it was reported that the national anthems of England and Iceland were played before kick off, just like before an international game. The Icelandic journalist reported. "It was strange to hear long haired Liverpudlians - Beatles singing God save the queen." Ron Yeats won the toss and K.R. played towards The Kop in the first half. The Icelandic side played much better than in the first game and according to the Icelandic newspapers played their best game of their season.
Liverpool played in their red shirts and white shorts. The all red kit was not yet in place. K.R. played in as always in their Newcastle like strip. The first half was especially good by the Icelanders. The visitors had the first chance in the opening minutes. But Liverpool opened the scoring in the 13th minute and it was Gerry Byrne who had the honour of scoring Liverpool´s first European goal at Anfield Road. His long range effort from 30 yards up in the top corner was indeed a historic moment. Ten minutes later Ian St. John scored with a good shot from inside the penalty area. But in the 30th minute the Icelanders managed to reply. A good passing move ended with Gunnar Felixson scoring in front of The Kop. The Anfield crowd applauded Gunnar after he had scored.
The second half turned out to be constant Liverpool pressure. Wave after wave of Liverpool attacks came towards The Kop throughout the half. Roger Hunt scored Liverpool´s third in the 50th minute. His shot was not too good and Heimir Gudjónsson should have saved it. This was the keeper's only mistake in the game. The debutant Bobby Graham scored the next goal in the 65th minute. He headed the ball home after a cross from the left. Two minutes later Willie Stevenson scored with a powerful long-range drive. He was even further out than Gerry Byrne when he opened the scoring. Willie´s strike was the best goal of the game! Ian St. John scored the last goal in the 74th minute. He scored from a close range after the visitors didn´t manage to clear their box. Liverpool could have scored more goals, but K.R.'s keeper, Heimir Guðjónsson, was his side´s best player and was often applauded by The Kop for his heroics. The Kop even cheered the K.R. players and booed their own with smile on their faces. But the heat was on the K.R. keeper but he managed some fine saves from Roger Hunt, Ron Yeats and Bobby Graham in the second half. Bobby had the last chance in the final minute when he hit the crossbar. Liverpool had won with a lot to spare.
The Kop celebrated a win on the debut European night at Anfield. But the Liverpool crowd had also taken to the fighting spirit of the Icelanders and applauded them when the final whistle sounded. The Kop even chanted "Reykjavík, Reykjavík, Reykjavík" at the end! The Icelandic newspaper, Tíminn, reported "It was obvious that the crowd had liked how K.R. played." The Liverpool players made a guard of honor and clapped the Icelanders off the pitch. An Icelandic reporter said Liverpool´s captain Ron Yeats shook every K.R. player´s hand. A wonderful sporting gesture on and off the pitch. The players of K.R had made themselves proud in spite of losing 11-1 on aggregrate to the English champions.
The final assement in Tíminn was this. "This game marked the end of our first European experience. All things considered it can be said that all went well. Of course Liverpool won 11-1 on aggregate. But it couldn´t be expected to lose any less to the English champions."
ON THIS DAY IN 1969
– Liverpool 10-0 Dundalk -
On the 16th of September 1969, Liverpool hosted part timers Irish side Dundalk at Anfield for the European Fairs Cup First round first leg. It became a night when Anfield witnessed their biggest victory. A strong 32,656 supporters were at Anfield that night to witness at the time Liverpool’s biggest victory ‘“ a record which wouldn’t be broken until Strormsgodset visited in 1974….
On entering Anfield nobody ever considered they were about to witness one of the Greatest Anfield European nights ever that would have immortality bestowed on it!. The whole of Anfield were in full chorus. The Kop fully expected a Liverpool but nobody expected the Reds to win in such style. The Liverpool Echo’s Chris James summed the night up with the following words: 'Dundalk were hopelessly outclassed, out-paced, in fact out-everythinged. It wasn’t so much a football match as an exhibition of torture by Liverpool.’
Liverpool were 5-0 up by half time, but had started the goalscoring spree almost instantly within the first minute from kick off through Alun Evans. Further goals from Chris Lawler, Tommy Smith, Bobby Graham and a second goal for Alun Evans sent the Reds in at half time five goals to nil.
The second half saw another five goals, eleven minutes into the second half young Alec Lindsay grabbed his first goal on his debut for the club. Tommy Smith scored his second goal in the 67 minute, while Peter Thompson scored another two minutes later. With just under fourteen minutes remaining Liverpool had gained an 8-0 advantage but were still determined to go forward looking for more goals. Next to score was Ian Callaghan while a second goal for Bobby Graham ensured their names were wrote into one of the most famous Liverpool victorys in the clubs history!
Liverpools Team:
Ray Clemence, Chris Lawler, Geoff Strong, Tommy Smith, Ron Yeats, Emlyn Hughes, Ian Callaghan, Bobby Graham, Alec Lindsay, Alun Evans, Peter Thompson
Goals
Alun Evans (1), (38)
Chris Lawler (10)
Tommy Smith (24), (67)
Bobby Graham (36), (82)
Alec Lindsay (56)
Peter Thompson (69)
Ian Callaghan (76)
ON THIS DAY IN 1990
Today In History
September 16th
Extra Info
LIVERPOOL V MANCHESTER UNITED
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
ANFIELD
16-9-1990
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Glenn Hysen
3 David Burrows
4 Steve Nicol
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Gary Gillespie
7 Peter Beardsley
8 Ray Houghton
9 Ian Rush
10 John Barnes
11 Steve McMahon
Won 4-0
Beardsley 11' 32' 81'
Barnes 44'
Att
35,726
Sorry I can not find a match report of this game anywhere
Liverpool 11-0 Strormsgodset
On the 17th of September 1974, Liverpool hosted part timers Norwegian side Stormsgodset at Anfield for the European Cup Winners’ Cup first round first leg. 24,743 spectators attended the match at Anfield, but little did anybody know that 37 years later, this match would be written in Liverpool’s history books never to be forgotten….
Its still currently Liverpool’s record win, Stormsgodset were beaten 11-0 with nine Liverpool players getting their names on the scoresheet.
Alec Lindsay, Steve Heighway, Peter Cormack, Emlyn Hughes, Tommy Smith, Ian Callaghan, Ray Kennedy and a brace from both Phil Boersma and Phil Thompson wrote their names into the most famous Liverpool victory in the clubs history!
Only two players, Brian Hall and Ray Clemence failed to find the net for the Reds that night.
Liverpools Team
Ray Clemence, Tommy Smith, Alec Lindsay, Phil Thompson, Peter Cormack, Emlyn Hughes, Phil Boersma, Brian Hall, Steve Heighway, Ray Kennedy, Ian Callaghan
Liverpools Goals
Alec Lindsay (3 pen)
Phil Boersma (13) (40)
Phil Thompson (30) (74)
Steve Heighway (42)
Peter Cormack (65)
Emlyn Hughes (76)
Tommy Smith (85)
Ian Callaghan (87)
Ray Kennedy (88)
1987 Newcastle United (Division One) St James Park 4-1
Steve Nicol 20' 47' 70' John Aldridge 37'
Att 24,141
- From Kenny Dalglish's diary: "Our first appearance on live television this season was at Newcastle in front of the BBC cameras. Media attention has been focused on Peter Beardsley’s return to his native Tyneside to face his former club – and on the home debut of Francisco Ernandi Limada Silva, the Brazilian who prefers to call himself Mirandinha. It was a bold decision by Newcastle to sign him. Every transfer is a calculated risk but with a foreigner, especially a non-European, that risk is even greater. The extra factors of acclimatization, environment and the rigours of English season have to be considered.
Mirandinha has started well, scoring both goals in last week’s 2-2 draw at Manchester United. His appearance today, and Peter’s undoubtedly added something extra to an already attractive fixture. We decided to keep the side that had finished our game against Charlton in such breathtaking style. Mark Lawrenson started a match for the first time since March and Steve Nicol - Chico as we call him - was on the right of midfield, with Nigel Spackman and Paul Walsh as substitutes.
It proved to be quite an afternoon for Steve Nicol who stood out as the star of an entertaining team performance. John Barnes combined with Peter Beardsley in the 21st minute to send in a cross that deflected off John Anderson for Nicol to open the scoring. We went two up in 38 minutes when Barnesie’s header down from Barry Venison’s cross gave John Aldridge his chance to make it seven successive matches in which he has scored – one more game than the best sequence Ian Rush put together for Liverpool. We are not really interested in statistics of this nature and I doubt if it is high on Aldridge’s list of priorities. He - like us - is just happy to score.
A couple of minutes before half-time, we put the ball in the net again: Nicol curled it superbly over goalkeeper Gary Kelly, but we were desperately unlucky to see it chalked out for offside. Fortunately, though, we did not have to wait long for another that did count and, fittingly, Steve Nicol was the scorer, three minutes after the interval. Peter Beardsley, underlining his unselfish talent as a creator and provider, supplied the final pass.
Despite our domination of the game, Mirandinha impressed me with his speed and close control. His chances of proving an asset to Newcastle – and the First Division appear very good. One of his runs resulted in a Newcastle penalty in the 61st minute, when referee Keith Hackett decided that Gary Gillespie had fouled the Brazilian. A harsh decision perhaps, but the referee’s word must always be final. Neil McDonald scored from the spot to make the scoreline 3-1. Five minutes later we restored our three-goal advantage thanks to a great goal by Steve Nicol which clinched his hat-trick and his sixth goal of the season. He ran on to John Aldridge’s pass and chipped the keeper brilliantly. The final score was 4-1, making us the only unbeaten team in the First Division. Although we are pleased with the way things have been going we do not intend to fall into the trap of looking too far ahead, only as far as the next game."
Today In History
September 20th
NEWCASTLE UNITED V LIVERPOOL
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
ST JAMES PARK
20-9-1987
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Gary Gillespie (Nigel Spackman)
3 Barry Venison
4 Steve Nicol
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Alan Hansen
7 Peter Beardsley
8 John Aldridge
9 Mark Lawrenson
10 John Barnes
11 Steve McMahon
Won 4-1
Nicol 20' 47' 70'
Aldridge 37'
Att
24,141
robinredshanks
20-9-11, 14:55
Nice Boston. :scarf:scarf:scarf
1987 Newcastle United (Division One) St James Park 4-1
Steve Nicol 20' 47' 70' John Aldridge 37'
Att 24,141
- From Kenny Dalglish's diary: "Our first appearance on live television this season was at Newcastle in front of the BBC cameras. Media attention has been focused on Peter Beardsley’s return to his native Tyneside to face his former club – and on the home debut of Francisco Ernandi Limada Silva, the Brazilian who prefers to call himself Mirandinha. It was a bold decision by Newcastle to sign him. Every transfer is a calculated risk but with a foreigner, especially a non-European, that risk is even greater. The extra factors of acclimatization, environment and the rigours of English season have to be considered.
Mirandinha has started well, scoring both goals in last week’s 2-2 draw at Manchester United. His appearance today, and Peter’s undoubtedly added something extra to an already attractive fixture. We decided to keep the side that had finished our game against Charlton in such breathtaking style. Mark Lawrenson started a match for the first time since March and Steve Nicol - Chico as we call him - was on the right of midfield, with Nigel Spackman and Paul Walsh as substitutes.
It proved to be quite an afternoon for Steve Nicol who stood out as the star of an entertaining team performance. John Barnes combined with Peter Beardsley in the 21st minute to send in a cross that deflected off John Anderson for Nicol to open the scoring. We went two up in 38 minutes when Barnesie’s header down from Barry Venison’s cross gave John Aldridge his chance to make it seven successive matches in which he has scored – one more game than the best sequence Ian Rush put together for Liverpool. We are not really interested in statistics of this nature and I doubt if it is high on Aldridge’s list of priorities. He - like us - is just happy to score.
A couple of minutes before half-time, we put the ball in the net again: Nicol curled it superbly over goalkeeper Gary Kelly, but we were desperately unlucky to see it chalked out for offside. Fortunately, though, we did not have to wait long for another that did count and, fittingly, Steve Nicol was the scorer, three minutes after the interval. Peter Beardsley, underlining his unselfish talent as a creator and provider, supplied the final pass.
Despite our domination of the game, Mirandinha impressed me with his speed and close control. His chances of proving an asset to Newcastle – and the First Division appear very good. One of his runs resulted in a Newcastle penalty in the 61st minute, when referee Keith Hackett decided that Gary Gillespie had fouled the Brazilian. A harsh decision perhaps, but the referee’s word must always be final. Neil McDonald scored from the spot to make the scoreline 3-1. Five minutes later we restored our three-goal advantage thanks to a great goal by Steve Nicol which clinched his hat-trick and his sixth goal of the season. He ran on to John Aldridge’s pass and chipped the keeper brilliantly. The final score was 4-1, making us the only unbeaten team in the First Division. Although we are pleased with the way things have been going we do not intend to fall into the trap of looking too far ahead, only as far as the next game."
Today In History
September 20th
NEWCASTLE UNITED V LIVERPOOL
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
ST JAMES PARK
20-9-1987
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Gary Gillespie (Nigel Spackman)
3 Barry Venison
4 Steve Nicol
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Alan Hansen
7 Peter Beardsley
8 John Aldridge
9 Mark Lawrenson
10 John Barnes
11 Steve McMahon
Won 4-1
Nicol 20' 47' 70'
Aldridge 37'
Att
24,141
the Nicol game:):)
oh yes.
player of the year?of course.
ON THIS DAY IN 1996
Patrik Berger celebrated his first start for Liverpool with a double blast in this goal feast, as Chelsea were beaten for the first time this season. Manager Ruud Gullit was left shaking his head in disbelief after seeing his expensive side ripped apart.
Berger was called into the team in place of Stan Collymore, who was relegated to the substitute bench. The Czech Republic star had scored twice on Sunday in the 3-0 victory against Leicester, and followed that with two more goals in an international against Malta in mid-week. Today he was back in the mood scoring twice again, although some of Chelsea's wounds were self inflicted.
Italian star Gianluca Vialli and French centre-half Frank Leboeuf returned to the team after missing the Coca-Cola Cup victory at Blackpool in mid-week because of minor injuries. But they were unable to halt the Liverpool steamroller with the opening goal coming after just 15 minutes.
Stig Bjornebye drove in a marvellous cross and Robbie Fowler headed the ball powerfully home in front of watching England boss Glenn Hoddle. Berger opened his account three minutes before half time after Dominic Matteo had won the ball and raced on. He released Berger, who rounded keeper Kevin Hitchcock, for a clinical finish.
Chelsea conceded a third goal in bizarre circumstances right on the stroke of half time. Bjornebye drove in another driving cross and this time there seemed little danger. However defender Andy Myers tried to deliver a cushioned header to keeper Hitchcock -- only to power it into the corner beyond his reach.
Myers was replaced by Michael Duberry at the start of the second half but Chelsea couldn't plug the gaps. Berger scored his second after 48 minutes when Wise carelessly lost possession and the £3 million buy from Borussia Dortmund raced on to steer the ball home. Chelsea, had lost the plot completely and Vialli was one of seven players booked as the game threatened to turn ugly.
Liverpool skipper John Barnes added a fifth after 57 minutes when his 20-yard shot seemed to take a deflection off the unfortunate Wise. Berger almost had a hat-trick, Hitchcock making a good block from his fierce drive. Manager Roy Evans then replaced him with Jamie Redknapp with 12 minutes to go and he was given a standing ovation by the crowd. Chelsea got a consolation goal five minutes from the end when Leboeuf scored from the penalty spot after Mark Wright was penalised for a challenge on Mark Hughes.
Liverpool manager Roy Evans sent out a chilling warning to the rest of the Premiership today after the 5-1 defeat of Chelsea at Anfield. "We can play better than this. I was pleased with our movement but our passing was sloppy. I was delighted with the result in the end but only reasonably pleased with the performance."
Patrik Berger marked his first start for Liverpool with two goals as the Anfield club consolidate their position at the top of the table. Robbie Fowler, John Barnes and an own goal by Andy Myers completed Chelsea's downfall. But manager Ruud Gullitt criticised referee Steve Dunn for allowing the second goal to stand. Dominic Matteo released Berger after winning a stiff challenge. The Czech Republic star ran on to beat keeper Kevin Hitchcock. But Gullitt said: "It was clearly off-side and it broke us. You can't do anything about that. We played more against ourselves than Liverpool today. The goals came from individuals and mistakes."
Berger has now scored six goals this week and replaced Stan Collymore who was relegated to the subs' bench. The Kop's new hero scored twice in the 3-0 victory against Leicester on Sunday then followed it with another double blast in the 6-0 victory over Malta in the World Cup qualifier in midweek. Evans said: "You're under a bit of pressure to keep a player in the team after he's scored two goals and we were a bit short up front. He's now got four goals in our last two games and that's a good start for the lad, although he appreciates the help he gets from other players."
The result must have sent shock waves all the way to Finland with Liverpool due to face My Pa-47 in the Cup Winners' Cup next Thursday. Gullit, meanwhile, has to rally his Chelsea side, although he believes they are not yet ready to challenge for the title. He said: "Everybody it seems expects us to be up there. But I know we are not yet ready and it takes games like this to find that out. We must avoid similar performances if we are to improve. None of my players did what I know they can do today."
Today In History
September 21st
LIVERPOOL V CHELSEA
PREMIER LEAGUE
ANFIELD
21-9-1996
David James
Stig Inge Bjornebye
Mark Wright
Phil Babb
Dominic Matteo
Jason McAteer
Steve McManaman
John Barnes
Michael Thomas
Robbie Fowler
Patrik Berger (Jamie Redknapp)
Won 5-1
Fowler 15'
Berger 42' 49'
Myers (OG) 45'
Barnes 57'
Att
40,739
ON THIS DAY IN 1986
Today In History
September 23erd
LIVERPOOL V FULHAM
LITTLEWOODS CUP 2ED ROUND 1ST LEG
ANFIELD
23-9-1986
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Gary Gillespie
3 Jim Beglin
4 Mark Lawrenson
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Alan Hansen
7 Kenny Dalgllish
8 Steve Nicol
9 Ian Rush
10 John Wark
11 Steve McMahon (John Durnin) (Debut)
Won 10-0
Rush 8' 76'
Wark 10' 76'
Whelan 28'
McMahon 44' 66' 71' 79'
Nicol 83'
Att
13,498
*** Steve McMahon also missed a penalty ***
I am sorry I can't find a match report on this game
ON THIS DAY IN 2008
Keane gets off the mark on a night of Anfield milestones
Pistols were drawn in the salute that accompanied Robbie Keane's first goal for Liverpool but that was as close as Anfield came to witnessing a duel last night. This was a procession for Rafael Benítez's team and a self-indulgent one at that, as Liverpool used PSV Eindhoven to reach several personal landmarks while easing towards the Champions League knockout stage almost as an afterthought.
The 250th game of Benítez's Anfield reign yielded first the 100th Liverpool goal in the Champions League, qualifiers included, since the Spaniard arrived at the club, then Keane's first since his £20.3m move from Tottenham Hotspur and finally the 100th goal of Steven Gerrard's glorious Liverpool career. The outlook in Group D appeared inconsequential next to the roll-call of milestones but, with Marseille losing to Atlético Madrid, Liverpool are close to a comfort zone after only two games. Or as close as it is possible to be with Benítez in charge. "It was almost the perfect night. A clean sheet would have been better," said the Liverpool manager.
Hard on the heels of Steve McClaren's "Dutsch" accent PSV provided the latest feeble offering from the Netherlands and their performance was a sad indictment of a proud football heritage. "I think the financial gap is too big now," said the PSV coach, Huub Stevens. "When you see the players in England, Spain and Italy now compared to the players in the Netherlands, there is a big difference. We are just happy to be in the Champions League, which I think is a problem for the Netherlands not the Champions League."
Confidence is gathering apace at Liverpool and this, their 11th game unbeaten this season, developed into an exhibition for the movement and pace of Fernando Torres, the intelligence of Xabi Alonso and the leadership of their captain, Gerrard. It was also reflected in Stevens' defensive line-up, with five men strung across the Dutch defence. After just four minutes, however, they trailed to a familiar foe.
The former Feyenoord striker, Dirk Kuyt, extended his outstanding goals record in the Champions League following the first corner of the game from Gerrard. Torres easily escaped his marker, Jérémie Bréchet, to force the goalkeeper, Andreas Isaksson, to save with his legs but the rebound fell kindly for Kuyt who drove Liverpool ahead through a crowded area. The former Manchester City keeper Isaksson must have feared a repeat of his last appearance on English soil, the 8-1 humiliation that Middlesbrough served up to Sven-Goran Eriksson on the final day of last season.
It was Kuyt who scored the late extra-time goal that took Benítez's team into the group stage at the expense of Standard Liège in the third qualifying round, and whose seven goals in last season's Champions League were instrumental in Liverpool's advance to the semi-finals. Remarkable then, that the £10m Dutchman has not scored a Premier League goal for Liverpool since November last year. Yet this was not a night for ruminating over Anfield goal droughts.
Torres, Gerrard and Benítez had all showered Keane with praise for his derby display at Everton but the love-in could never satisfy the striker's lust for goals, no matter the calibre of the company kept, and there was extra depth to Anfield's roar when the Republic of Ireland captain opened his account after 10 games and 34 minutes for his boyhood club. Again Kuyt and Torres were involved, the latter delivering an inviting cross from the right wing that Keane converted with an instinctive flick of his instep into the far corner. "It's a monkey off my back," he admitted. "He could have been feeling the pressure because all strikers are ambitious for goals," added his manager. "This was important but it was just one step forward."
It fell to Gerrard to complete Liverpool's evening when, with a 25-yard free-kick into the Kop goal, the captain reached his century in characteristically emphatic style. A swift reply from the PSV substitute Danny Koevermans barely qualified as a consolation.
Final score Liverpool 3 – 1
(HT 2 – 0)
PSV Eindhoven
Kuyt 4
Keane 34
Gerrard 76
Koevermans 78
Bookings Marcellis 75
Liverpool's Percentage PSV Eindhoven's Percentage
Corners 3 75% 1 25%
Goal attempts 11 55% 9 45%
On target 6 75% 2 25%
Fouls 8 36% 14 64%
Offside 1 14% 6 86%
Liverpool Jose Manuel Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Alvaro Arbeloa, Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard (Ryan Babel, 82), Robbie Keane (Lucas Leiva, 75), Fernando Torres, Albert Riera (Yossi Benayoun, 68)
PSV Eindhoven Andreas Isaksson, Jan Kromkamp, Carlos Salcido, Dirk Marcellis, Jeremie Brechet (Erik Pieters, 46), Timmy Simons, Stijn Wuytens (Danny Koevermans, 60), Edison Mendez (Balazs Dzsudzsak, 76), Otman Bakkal, Nordin Amrabat, Jason Culina
Referee Brych, F
Venue Anfield
Attendance 41,097
Robbie Keane 5th slowest to his debut goal
When Robbie Keane scored against PSV in the Champions League he had a good reason to celebrate. He had after all scored his first goal for his favourite club since childhood. The joy on his face were for all to see. The media had put unfair pressure on him getting his first goal, Liverpool fans knew he would come good. He had already contributed to Liverpool's cause without getting on the scoresheet.
Those who are interested in stats might want to know where Robbie Keane is on the list of Liverpool strikers who have been the slowest to score their debut goal. Peter Crouch is miles ahead of everybody else after failing to score in his first 17 games, finally scoring against Wigan in the Premier League after 1228 minutes. He scored on average in every 2,7 games since then.
Though you take your time to score your first goal, it won't necessarily predict how your career will materialise as you can tell from the presence of a certain Ian Rush who is high on the list and above Keane. Liverpool's greatest goalscorer couldn't stop scoring from the moment he scored his first in the 1981/82 season and scored 30 goals in his full debut season.
Here is the list of strikers who had to play more than 200 minutes to score their debut goal for Liverpool.
Player Minutes Games Debut goal
1 Peter Crouch 1228 18 03.12.2005
2 Arthur Rowley 1019 11 no goal!
3 Ian Rush 813 10 30.09.1981
4 Michael Robinson 784 10 28.09.1983
5 Robbie Keane 688 11 01.10.2008
6 Jack Balmer 531 6 07.12.1935
7 Kevin Baron 527 6 08.11.1947
8 Phil Boersma 480 7 04.11.1970
9 Emile Heskey 436 5 01.04.2000
10 Les Shannon 382 5 30.08.1948
11 Alf Arrowsmith 361 5 16.09.1963
12 Karl-Heinz Riedle 342 4 26.08.1997
13 Alan Waddle 337 4 08.12.1973
14 Dean Saunders 332 4 27.08.1991
15 Fernando Morientes 316 4 01.02.2005
16 Ian St John 309 4 30.08.1961
17 Sammy Smyth 292 4 07.02.1953
18 Eric Anderson 261 3 06.02.1954
19 David Johnson 255 3 28.08.1976
20 Neil Mellor 254 4 08.01.2003
21 Bobby Murdoch 252 3 08.02.1958
22 David Hodgson 242 4 04.09.1982
23 Nicolas Anelka 218 4 05.01.2002
Note: The list only includes strikers since the 1945-46 season as we do not always have scoring minutes from way back in time.
pArTlYdAvE-
1-10-11, 14:52
this for me beats our 5 nil over forest?
mainly because i was ten years old,still in total awe of my hero,Dalglish,reason why Liverpool are my team still today.
just the whole day,sun was hitting the pitch all game,great players,great goals.hammered the london lot.
the last goal STILL the best ever seen at our ground.
YNWA
correct:scarf like a knife through butter. It makes the shivers shake my spine every time I watch it, which is often:D
ON THIS DAY IN 2002
Two-goal Heskey writes off Spartak
Life among Europe's elite will seem rosier for Liverpool and Gérard Houllier this morning.
Spartak Moscow may have been weak to the point of humiliation here last night but this was still a statement of intent rammed home by late goals from Salif Diao and Emile Heskey - his second of the night.
Where once Liverpool's European challenge appeared to be stuttering, it is clearly alive and well again after the exorcism of the memory of last week's profligacy against the Swiss champions Basel.
On that occasion the visitors' goal had been peppered to the tune of 33 attempts with their defence breached, ridiculously, only once. But the Swiss, and particularly their goalkeeper, had defended heroically; Moscow, faced by a similar barrage, merely capitulated.
Liverpool had never previously scored against Russian opponents, let alone prevailed, but they had surely never been confronted by such feeble resistance as that offered by Oleg Romantsev's side.
Spartak were a shambles, their miserable excuse at defence torn to shreds from the start. Houllier's side, vibrant and overwhelming, ran riot.
The attacking intent was obvious from the start when the Brazilian Moises, sprawled on the goal-line, somehow blocked Steven Gerrard's hammered attempt from John-Arne Riise's cross.
The miss mattered little, with the Norwegian's floated diagonal cross bypassing dithering defenders seconds later for Heskey and Michael Owen to chase.
The strikers appeared to cramp each other's style before the more muscular prevailed, Heskey waiting for the goalkeeper, Stanislav Cherchesov, to commit before placing his second goal of the season.
That concession was all it took for Russian heads to drop effectively for good. Moises denied Owen at the last, while Gerrard's vicious volley was deflected behind, but a second goal was only ever a simple pass away.
Heskey dispossessed the ponderous Dmitry Khlestov, with Owen finding Murphy who slid in Bruno Cheyrou. The Frenchman kept his nerve to guide in his first competitive goal for the club.
The gulf in class was embarrassing. Moscow had not won a game in this competition in 13 attempts, their last success being a 4-1 drubbing of Arsenal two years ago, and it showed. Their domestic form has been so sluggish that they had not celebrated a win of any kind since mid-August. Third in the Russian league, they will relinquish their title for the first time since 1995.
On this evidence, it may take them some time to return to the Champions League.
When they caught their breath, the visitors were occasionally cute amid the midfield clutter, with Dmitri Kudryashov dancing through dizzy opponents only to have a shot deflected wide. But while their defending was so abysmal any attacking bite hardly mattered.
Owen teased and tormented Khlestov and Igor Mitreski before lifting a shot over the goalkeeper only for the effort to rebound off the post and back into Cherchesov's hands.
Heskey and Cheyrou both had headers from Gerrard centres saved while, when the England midfielder kept the ball to himself - his mesmeric feet leaving the Russians dazed and confused - he attracted illegal challenges like a magnet. True to depressing form, Moises chopped Gerrard down and Danny Murphy, outstanding yet again, spun a free-kick into the six-yard box. Up leaped Sami Hyypia above grounded, wide-eyed defenders, to nod in his first goal of the campaign and Liverpool's third of the evening.
That effectively rendered the contest won and lost, though Heskey's lay-off and Gerrard's shot wide 35 seconds after the resumption suggested Liverpool's appetite was yet to be satisfied. The visitors roused themselves thereafter at least to attempt to suffocate midfield, though invariably even that involved resorting to desperate hacks to halt the home tide. Baye Kebe's crunching tackle on Gerrard prompted a third Spartak booking for fouls on the midfielder - Cheyrou and Heskey were also floored illegally - and virtually every free-kick threatened further reward. In the 81st minute Owen and Heskey combined for the substitute Salif Diao to amble forward, leap above Igor Mitreski and add a fourth. Then Heskey scored his own second from Owen's pass with two minutes to go.
Liverpool (4-1-2-1-2): Dudek; Carragher, Hyypia, Henchoz (Traoré, 67), Riise; Hamann; Gerrard (Diao, 76), Murphy; Cheyrou (Diouf, 83); Heskey, Owen.
Spartak Moscow (4-4-2): Cherchesov; Mitreski, Moises, Kovtun (Abramidze, 63), Khlestov (Bezrodny, 24); Beschastnykh, Kalynychenko, Kudryashov (Da Silva, 49), Kebe; Pavlenko, Danishevskiy.
Referee: A Hamer (Luxembourg).
ON THIS DAY IN 2002
Two-goal Heskey writes off Spartak
Life among Europe's elite will seem rosier for Liverpool and Gérard Houllier this morning.
Spartak Moscow may have been weak to the point of humiliation here last night but this was still a statement of intent rammed home by late goals from Salif Diao and Emile Heskey - his second of the night.
Where once Liverpool's European challenge appeared to be stuttering, it is clearly alive and well again after the exorcism of the memory of last week's profligacy against the Swiss champions Basel.
On that occasion the visitors' goal had been peppered to the tune of 33 attempts with their defence breached, ridiculously, only once. But the Swiss, and particularly their goalkeeper, had defended heroically; Moscow, faced by a similar barrage, merely capitulated.
Liverpool had never previously scored against Russian opponents, let alone prevailed, but they had surely never been confronted by such feeble resistance as that offered by Oleg Romantsev's side.
Spartak were a shambles, their miserable excuse at defence torn to shreds from the start. Houllier's side, vibrant and overwhelming, ran riot.
The attacking intent was obvious from the start when the Brazilian Moises, sprawled on the goal-line, somehow blocked Steven Gerrard's hammered attempt from John-Arne Riise's cross.
The miss mattered little, with the Norwegian's floated diagonal cross bypassing dithering defenders seconds later for Heskey and Michael Owen to chase.
The strikers appeared to cramp each other's style before the more muscular prevailed, Heskey waiting for the goalkeeper, Stanislav Cherchesov, to commit before placing his second goal of the season.
That concession was all it took for Russian heads to drop effectively for good. Moises denied Owen at the last, while Gerrard's vicious volley was deflected behind, but a second goal was only ever a simple pass away.
Heskey dispossessed the ponderous Dmitry Khlestov, with Owen finding Murphy who slid in Bruno Cheyrou. The Frenchman kept his nerve to guide in his first competitive goal for the club.
The gulf in class was embarrassing. Moscow had not won a game in this competition in 13 attempts, their last success being a 4-1 drubbing of Arsenal two years ago, and it showed. Their domestic form has been so sluggish that they had not celebrated a win of any kind since mid-August. Third in the Russian league, they will relinquish their title for the first time since 1995.
On this evidence, it may take them some time to return to the Champions League.
When they caught their breath, the visitors were occasionally cute amid the midfield clutter, with Dmitri Kudryashov dancing through dizzy opponents only to have a shot deflected wide. But while their defending was so abysmal any attacking bite hardly mattered.
Owen teased and tormented Khlestov and Igor Mitreski before lifting a shot over the goalkeeper only for the effort to rebound off the post and back into Cherchesov's hands.
Heskey and Cheyrou both had headers from Gerrard centres saved while, when the England midfielder kept the ball to himself - his mesmeric feet leaving the Russians dazed and confused - he attracted illegal challenges like a magnet. True to depressing form, Moises chopped Gerrard down and Danny Murphy, outstanding yet again, spun a free-kick into the six-yard box. Up leaped Sami Hyypia above grounded, wide-eyed defenders, to nod in his first goal of the campaign and Liverpool's third of the evening.
That effectively rendered the contest won and lost, though Heskey's lay-off and Gerrard's shot wide 35 seconds after the resumption suggested Liverpool's appetite was yet to be satisfied. The visitors roused themselves thereafter at least to attempt to suffocate midfield, though invariably even that involved resorting to desperate hacks to halt the home tide. Baye Kebe's crunching tackle on Gerrard prompted a third Spartak booking for fouls on the midfielder - Cheyrou and Heskey were also floored illegally - and virtually every free-kick threatened further reward. In the 81st minute Owen and Heskey combined for the substitute Salif Diao to amble forward, leap above Igor Mitreski and add a fourth. Then Heskey scored his own second from Owen's pass with two minutes to go.
Liverpool (4-1-2-1-2): Dudek; Carragher, Hyypia, Henchoz (Traoré, 67), Riise; Hamann; Gerrard (Diao, 76), Murphy; Cheyrou (Diouf, 83); Heskey, Owen.
Spartak Moscow (4-4-2): Cherchesov; Mitreski, Moises, Kovtun (Abramidze, 63), Khlestov (Bezrodny, 24); Beschastnykh, Kalynychenko, Kudryashov (Da Silva, 49), Kebe; Pavlenko, Danishevskiy.
Referee: A Hamer (Luxembourg).
diao,cheyrou,diouf......
still,at least we won.
wish murphy had been retained here.sold on too soon?
diao,cheyrou,diouf......
still,at least we won.
wish murphy had been retained here.sold on too soon?
Yes I think Murphy was sold too soon
TODAY IN 1993
Young star blasts five past Fulham
Robbie Fowler rediscovered Liverpool's scoring touch by notching five super goals to defeat plucky Fulham at a sparsely populated Anfield. Each time he got the ball Liverpool's new goal machine hit the back of the net - three times with his left foot, once with his head and once with his right-foot.
And while the Premiership team's performance was never classy enough to repeat their 10-0 drubbing of Fulham back in 1986, the stylish passing movements of old returned in their full glory.
After seeing off a spirited spell from the Londoners, the home side took control with young Fowler outshining Ian Rush in attack. The England youth man's first strike came after an opening 13 minutes in which Fulham had matched their more illustrious rivals. A 25-yard shot from England full-back Rob Jones was parried by keeper Jim Stannard and the youngster pounced like a flash to open the scoring. And then from a disputed free-kick Fowler fired home from inside the six-yard box.
A superb double save from Grobbelaar denied Fulham's Eckhardt and Onwere before Fowler completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half - again benefiting from good work by Jones.
As Fulham paid for their first-half exertions, Liverpool found their rhythm and tore the visitors to shreds. The amazing Fowler headed home from a Julian Dicks cross to put the home side 4-0 up on 55 minutes. And within 15 minutes Fowler had done it again - this time slotting past Stannard with ease following a clever through ball from Jamie Redknapp. It was a shame that only 12,541 turned out to see a dazzling display from a young man who looks to have the ability to become the best England striker since Gary Lineker.
Fowler's five-star performance
Robbie Fowler turned on a five-star show as Liverpool beat Fulham 5-0 in their Coca-Cola Cup second round second leg tie at Anfield. The 18-year-old striker grabbed all five goals to end Liverpool's recent goal drought.
Fowler scored twice in the first half and rapped in three more after the break as Graeme Souness' side ran out 8-1 winners on aggregate. Souness said: "He's played four games now and everyone is going to know his name. We will do our best to make sure his life does not change one bit, I do not want to go overboard about him, but I think he's going to be very special."
TODAY IN 1997
Patrik Berger proved history can repeat itself in spades as Liverpool handed 10-man Chelsea another Merseyside mauling. A year ago the Czech midfielder had been the two-goal inspiration of the 5-1 defeat that had been the worst result of Ruud Gullit's managerial career. And this time he went one better with his first hat-trick in English football to prove reports of Liverpool's demise are greatly exaggerated - and put Stamford Bridge title hopes in better perspective.
Berger's first goal of the season had put Roy Evans' side on their way, even though Chelsea controversially equalised instantly when Gianfranco Zola slotted home after David Elleray ignored the clearest of pushes by Mark Hughes.
But after Frenchman Bernard Lambourde had picked up Chelsea's third record card of the season not even Gullit's first appearance for seven months could stem the red tide.
And it was Berger who took centre stage with a glittering personal show which illuminated a frantic and at times downright unpleasant match.
Ten minutes before the break, Berger's emphatic finish from Stig Bjornebye's low cross restored Liverpool's advantage, and when he ghosted through soon after the interval the points were secure.
To celebrate his hat-trick, Berger then laid the fourth on a plate for Robbie Fowler as Liverpool made the most of their extra man.
And although Gustavo Poyet slotted home a late spot kick - Chelsea had more valid claims rejected - there could be no denying the Reds their win - and Berger his afternoon of personal triumph.
Gullit had suggested that last year's Anfield thumping had been what his team needed, and it did look that way as the much-changed Chelsea side - just five of the same starters - controlled the early tempo.
Liverpool's possession was taking them nowhere, while the Blues looked to get Hughes and Zola, back after being rested in Bratislava, beyond the Liverpool backline. But from the outset there had been undercurrents of nastiness, scores to be settled, and Mr Elleray was always going to be busy.
So it proved, with Lambourde picking up his first caution for the clearest of tugs on Karlheinz Riedle, the German partnering Fowler for the first tme as Michael Owen reverted to the bench.
Ed De Goey saved from Riedle's header but there was nothing De Goey could do when Berger put the Reds ahead in the 20th minute, although Graeme Le Saux was decidedly more culpable.
Paul Ince's long ball looked to be covered by the England defender, but he allowed it to bounce, and the off-break spin back over his head left Berger in the clear. It still needed a cool head - and there were not many in Anfield by this time - but Berger had precisely that, exquisitely lobbing over De Goey and into the net.
Anfield was ecstatic, but within two minutes the emotion had changed to outright fury.
Gustavo Poyet played through the middle and Hughes, surely from an offside position, body-checked Bjorn Kvarme. Even Zola, at first, could not believe neither Mr Elleray nor his linesman had spotted something wrong, but as Liverpool stood waiting for the whistle, the Sardinian rounded David James to slide home.
The Liverpool fans erupted, the players likewise, with Ince incurring the wrath of the referee for his comments, but the goal stood.
Zola's assured finish had been ominous for Glenn Hoddle - surely wincing at home as he watched the television footage of the increasingly ugly tackles - but that was to be his last act after Lambourde's crude block on McManaman.
Gullit, sensing the need for a clear head, decided it was time for his first appearance since being injured at Derby on March 1. Zola was sacrificed as Gullit slotted into a defensive role, but Liverpool were determined to press home their advantage. And it took them just eight more minutes to do exactly that. Bjornebye played to McManaman and went for the return, beating Frank Sinclair for pace. The Norwegian looked up and spotted Berger standing on the penalty spot, with the Czech's first-time shot proving he does have a right foot after all as he rammed it home.
Chelsea, with Hughes alone up front, might have feared the worst, yet bizarrely it was they who went in at the break complaining about the officials. Rob Jones jumped through from behind Poyet after Dennis Wise - who, to no great surprise, had been booked as well - had clipped into the box. Poyet, Roberto Di Matteo and Le Saux surrounded the referee, but in vain.
Jones, however, did not appear after the interval, Jason McAteer coming on, but even Gullit's experience could not save the Blues in this situation. Fowler shot across the face of goal from McAteer's centre, and McManaman's strike from outside box was held by the keeper.
But when Berger completed his trio before the hour the writing was firmly on the wall.
Again there were appeals for a flag, as McManaman's ball found both Berger and Riedle through on goal. Berger could have slipped to the German, but it is hard to pass up the opportunity of a Premiership hat-trick, and a jink past De Goey was followed by a simple roll into the net.
Having completed that three-timer, Berger turned provider when next put through in the 64th minute, rolling back for Fowler to crash home his third in as many Premiership starts.
The game won, even the jeers that had greeted Gullit's every touch were ended, all the more so when his response to a chant of ``Ruudy, what's the score?'' was to point at the No 4 on his back.
Everybody knew the game was up - most evidently the home players, who collectively went to sleep. Gullit - through on goal then falling over the ball - and Tore Andre Flo, who had replaced Dan Petrescu, wasted chances before Poyet did convert after McAteer had hauled down the Norwegian beanpole.
Not that it really mattered. Now it is just one Anfield win in 61 years for Chelsea. Liverpool, however, announced in the best way that they are back in the title race.
TODAY IN 2008
Last-gasp Kuyt keeps Liverpool flying high
Some days in football are just golden. For Liverpool, this was one of those rare occasions when everything came together and an admiring audience was left to wonder whether they might, after all, have the wit and gumption to sustain an authentic Premier League challenge rather than just flit around the edges.
What other conclusion can be drawn from the way Rafael Benítez's players responded to going two goals down by dismantling Manchester City? Their passing was stylish, their spirit one of togetherness and, in arguably the most dramatic game in England's top division so far this season, it culminated in that most dramatic and brutal of football moments - the stoppage-time winner that leaves opponents helpless to do anything about.
By then, the blood had drained from the faces of those City supporters who, at half-time, were giddily asking each other when, if ever, they had seen their team play so exquisitely. For it to end this way represents a bruising experience. Typical City, you could say. Yet that would be doing a huge disservice to the way Liverpool played in the second half and, in particular, Fernando Torres's ability to penetrate English defences. The Spaniard was majestic, his fourth and fifth goals of the season bringing the game level, and it was his deflected shot that fell to Dirk Kuyt to complete this remarkable comeback.
"The reaction we showed in the second half was fantastic," said Benítez, eyes sparkling. "The character, the determination. The thing our players showed is that they always believe. They went out in the second half believing they could win. It was a result that came from their mentality."
He was entitled to eulogise about the quality of Liverpool's play and City's supporters were wrong to try to pin the blame on the referee, Peter Walton, for sending off Pablo Zabaleta for his challenge on Xabi Alonso midway through the second half, with the score at 2-1. The red card badly undermined City's chances of holding on but the video replays do not support the Argentinian's protests. "I've seen it in slow-motion and I can understand why the referee has gone for his red card," Mark Hughes, the City manager, who was indignant at the time, acknowledged.
Liverpool were level within six minutes, Torres heading Steven Gerrard's corner past Joe Hart after a diagonal run to the near post. Torres, paradoxically, then skied his easiest chance of the game but the second half had become a story of near-unremitting pressure on Hart's goal. The game had been turned upside down. "I've seen a lot of Liverpool and in the first half I think we caused them as many problems as any other team this season," Hughes reflected. "We took the game to a very good side and I think we were excellent."
Stephen Ireland had volleyed City into a 19th-minute lead and when Javier Garrido curled a wonderful free-kick past Pepe Reina four minutes before the break, at the height of their superiority, it was starting to feel like this was the day that the Premier League's newest billionaires gave the Big Four a jolt where it matters most: on the pitch. Everyone's eyes naturally fall on Robinho but it was another Brazilian, Elano, who was running the game. It was not that Liverpool played badly, just that City were magnificent.
But then it changed. Ten minutes into the second half, Gerrard played in Alvaro Arbeloa who crossed for Torres to slide in Liverpool's first goal. And thereafter Gerrard, Alonso and Kuyt dominated in midfield. Benítez brought on another striker, Robbie Keane, to help out Torres and, a man down, City could not cope with the speed and accuracy with which their opponents moved the ball.
Finally, the substitute Yossi Benayoun slipped in Torres for another shot at goal, his effort clipped Richard Dunne and Kuyt swept in the rebound to consign City, these Champions League wannabes, to the highly unsatisfactory statistic of four defeats in seven league fixtures.
Liverpool are unbeaten and they did a lot here to suggest they might have the durability not to drift out of the title race in the same way as previous seasons. The perfect day? Not quite, on an afternoon that saw Martin Skrtel carried off on a stretcher with a knee injury. He will have a scan today to ascertain whether there is knee ligament damage.
Their team may never pull off another comeback to compare with the 2005 Champions League final but this recovery will live in the memory.
Man of the match: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
MATCH FACTS
Score line
Final score Manchester City 2 – 3
(HT 2 – 0)
Liverpool
Ireland 19
Garrido 41
Torres 55
Torres 73
Kuyt 90
Bookings Dunne 86
Arbeloa 90
Sent off Zabaleta 67
Manchester City's Percentage Liverpool's Percentage
Corners 1 12% 7 88%
Goal attempts 7 33% 14 67%
On target 5 41% 7 59%
Fouls 11 47% 12 53%
Offside 1 14% 6 86%
Manchester City Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Javier Garrido, Richard Dunne, Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Blumer Elano (Martin Petrov, 85), Stephen Ireland, Robson de Souza Robinho (Ched Evans, 80), Joao Alves Jo (Gelson Fernandes, 70)
Liverpool Jose Manuel Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio (Andrea Dossena, 70), Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Albert Riera (Yossi Benayoun, 81), Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano (Robbie Keane, 71), Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres
Referee Walton, P
Venue City of Manchester Stadium
Attendance 47,280
Boston-Sox
16-10-11, 07:17
ON THIS DAY IN 2001
Teams
Dynamo Kiev: Reva, Khatskevitch, Holovko, Vaschuk, Melashchenko, Belkevich, Ghioane, Cernat, Bodnar, Nesmachnyi, Gavrancic. Subs: Filimonov, Peev, Husin, Fedorov, Idahor, Venhlinskyy, Serebrennikov.
Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Riise, Murphy, Gerrard, McAllister, Barmby, Smicer, Heskey. Subs: Kirkland, Fowler, Redknapp, Berger, Partridge, Wright, Litmanen.
Referee: C Colombo (France)
1 Phil Thompson is in charge, but it is Gerard Houllier's team that takes the field following a discussion between the two men last week as to tactics for this game. If ever there was going to be nightmare with names, it is fixture. Kiev get things underway with someone whose name ends in "yi". I think.
2 Liverpool move things around well in the as things start to flow, but Heskey playing pretty much as a right-sided midfielder, the gameplan is surely to hold firm at the rear. Kiev break but Hyypia challenges well on the edge of the area as Liverpool players flood back.
8 First chance for Liverpool when Smicer breaks down the left and whips in a cross for Heskey in the six-yard box. Heskey can't make it work and Barmby follows up from the right; Kiev make a hash of the clearance.
9 McAllister a little over-ambitious with a pass from midfield and gives possession away when Liverpool are up in numbers. Other than that, not a bad start for Houllier's, sorrry, Thompson's men.
13 This time it is Murphy who stuffs up his pass to give away possession but Liverpool are let off when Gerard is fouled. Free-kick comes to nothing.
14 Danger for Liverpool after Cernat is sliced down by Henchoz 20 yards out; Kiev gather around the ball, Khatskevitch blasts it in but Dudek stands up well to parry.
16 Gerard plays a great ball through to Smicer on the edge of the area; Smicer checks and then wastes the chance by curling it wide of the far post. The hands on his head tell the story.
20 Melashchenko has a crack from 25 yards - straight at Dudek.
21 Heskey in possession just outside the area; Vaschuk tackles and sweeps the ball to Barmby on his right, Barmby goes down - no penalty. Kiev break and Dudek keeps Liverpool in it with two fine saves, one from a blistering volley by Belkevich.
26 Corner to Kiev; Cernat takes and Dudek claims.
30 Heskey doing a good job of holding things up well as Smicer forages around the edge of the area before shooting high.
34 Liverpool win a corner after a massive throw by Riise into the area - comes to nothing.
36 Kiev with a corner; Hyypia leaps up to head clear. Kiev finding it very hard to break through the wall of red shirts shielding Liverpool's goal.
38 Riise with another huge throw into the area; Heskey gets some of it and although the big man is doing a good job of unsettling the home side, Kiev scramble it clear.
41 Belkevich streaks away into space after Liverpool sell themselves short; Hyypia sticks out a leg, Belkevich looks for the free-kick and wins it. Cernat steps up to put it wide of the right-hand post.
43 GOAL: Dynamo Kiev 0 - 1 Liverpool A raking pass from Gerard out on the right finds Murphy running into the area; Murphy catches it on the volley with his left foot for the opener. Blinder.
45 Liverpool back in numbers for a Kiev corner; comes to nothing.Half-time All in all, not a bad half for Liverpool.
46 Liverpool get the second 45 underway, looking good for something of an historic victory. The advice from the dressing room can only have been 'more of the same, please'.
49 Kiev look no closer to breaking down Liverpool's defence.
53 There is definite pattern to play, and surely no one can be sursprised - Kiev pile forward and get to the edge of the Liverpool area only for the visitors to calmly bring the ball out for the cycle to start all over again.
56 Substitution Husin on for Bodnar.
59 GOAL: Dynamo Kiev 1 - 1 Liverpool Ghioane sneaks in at the far post to convert a great ball from wide on the left. Riise possibly at fault for leaving Ghioane in too much space.
62 Substitution Berger on for Barmby.
64 Booking Heskey.
67 GOAL: Dynamo Kiev 1 - 2 Liverpool Liverpool sweep down the left; the cross is long for Heskey at the far post but the big man heads it back and it falls for Gerard on the edge of the area to put the visitors back in the lead courtesy of a Kiev elbow.
70 Cernat has a crack from 30 yards but Liverpool have 10 men behind the ball and, not surprisingly, the shot hits one of them.
80 Substitutions Idahor on for Melashchenko; Redknapp on for Smicer.
82 Kiev free-kick 25 yards out; played short to Khatskevitch and eventually goes for a corner. Cernat takes and the move ends with a looping ball to the far post - only to be headed wide. A bad miss for Kiev and they know it.
85 Kiev throwing everything at Liverpool now, including making the most of every challenge in the hope of winning a jammy free-kick.
90 Heskey still running around up front as if it was the first half an hour. Three minutes of additional time to play before Liverpool can record a famous victory. Kiev flood the Liverpool half and Cernat is unlucky to see his shoot drift just wide of the far post, although Dudek had it covered. Idahor then releases Cernat on the right; he finds the net, only to see it ruled offside. Full-time Well done Liverpool, the first British team to have won in this stadium in 13 attempts.
Boston-Sox
29-10-11, 08:27
ON THIS DAY IN 1983
Liverpool defeated Luton Town in October 1983 in the treble season when the Reds won the European Cup, League title and the League Cup. Rush scored an incredible 47 goals in this season and five on this occasion vs. Luton. This is the match report from this historic game in October 1983.
Liverpool destroyed Luton with an avalanche of goals at Anfield this afternoon. Ian Rush hitting five and Kenny Dalglish also joining in the champions super-show.
The Reds made two changes from the side that put four goals past Brentford in midweek. Rush, rested for the Milk Cup tie, returned up front in place of Hodgson, who was named as substitute. Nicol won the battle for the left midfield slot, replacing the suspended Johnston. Manager Fagan had fought long and hard about the possibilty of recalling Whelan, fit again after his pelvic operation, but finally banked on the young player who scored that superb winner at Q.P.R. last week.
The visitors were boosted by the return up front of England U-21 star Walsh, who had served out a two match ban.
The champions got off to a flying start, taking the lead after just 75 seconds with a goal from Rush. It was the Reds' first attack and full-back Neal tried a low shot from 20 yards that was actually blocked by the Welsh international in the area. The ball fell to Lee, who attempted to turn it back in but it dropped loose to Rush, who scored from close range.
It was a lightning strike and before Luton could catch their breath they found themselves two goals in arrears. The Reds had gained a free kick to the right of the box, played short by Lee and Dalglish. He chipped in a perfect centre, skipper Souness arriving to a direct a header against the crossbar. As the ball dropped, Rush was perfectly positioned to grab his second goal from close range.
We saw six goals in this encounter last season when the sides drew 3-3, but Liverpool had only scored four goals in their opening four League games at Anfield this season. The double strike by Rush changed all that, and the Welshman seemed in the mood to get a bundle. He latched on to a ball from Dalglish to the left of the box, before hammering an angled shot across the face of goal and just wide of the post.
The Reds came forward again when Lee tried his luck from 25 yards with Sealey clawing the ball round the post for a corner. It was virtually shots in, with Sealey feeling as if he was one on the wrong end of a coconut shy in the Luton goal. A stunning shot from Lee looked a goal all the way until it crashed into the side netting.
But the Liverpool fans didn't have to wait long for their side's third goal, Rush grabbing his hat-trick in style after 36 minutes. Nicol had reached the goal line on the left and his pinpoint cross was headed home firmly by the delighted Welshman.
Poor Sealey was shell-shocked in the visitor's goal and it showed inside two minutes when he blundered badly to give Liverpool their fourth goal. Dalglish had tried a low shot that seemed to be covered all the way by the keeper, but the ball bobbled over his body and into the net.
The first half had been a sunshine carnival for the champions and total frustration for the visitors who arrived on Merseyside in good spirits and fourth place in the League. The despair showed when skipper Horton sent Neal tumbling with an over-robust challenge for which he was booked.
Half-time: Liverpool 4, Luton Town 0
It didn't take Liverpool long to get back into their stride after the break. Robinson showed his pace down the right, crossing in hard and low only for Horton to make an important interception and clear his lines. A long and high ball towards the box sent the tide of red shirts towards the the visitors goal once again. Dalglish showed his vision, heading back a perfect ball into the path of Nicol whose first-time effort went straight into the arms of Sealey.
Liverpool's emphatic response was to sweep into a 5-0 lead after 55 minutes with the best goal of the game from the rampant Rush. Kennedy had floated a long ball into the box and the striker arrived to meet it first time with a stunning right foot volley that gave Sealey no chance at all. The vistors were demoralised by the efficiency of the Welshman's finishing. When the visitors did find themselves with a shooting opportunity, Hill sliced his effort well wide of the target.
Nicol looked for a penalty when he was brought down in the area by Elliott. All he got was a corner on the left, but the Scottish under-21 international almost turned that into another goal. Dalglish played it short, and the midfield man hit a tremendous shot that was well saved by Sealey. A rare attack from the unhappy visitors saw Hill's header deflected over for a corner on the left. Horton's free kick was cleared with little difficulty, but there was an anxious moment for the Reds when Rush needed treatment after being caught by Antic.
To the relief of the crowd, the four-goal hero was soon back. The Reds should have made it 6-0 when Robinson did well to to beat Antic with a speedy run into the Luton area, only to somehow slice his right foot shot well wide. with just two mins left, Souness had a pointblank effort blocked by Sealey, Rush being on hand once again to rap in his fifth to make it 6-0.
Boston-Sox
29-10-11, 08:28
ON THIS DAY IN 2000
DERBIES aren't meant to be like this.
Amid the frenzied atmosphere and tension, creativity is usually stifled and raw aggression wins the derby day.
But this was a superb spectacle in which both sides played their part to produce a quality yet hugely passionate game of football.
Liverpool took their time to get going, but when they did they bossed the game and were well worth their victory.
The Blues were left to rue missed opportunities in the early stages.
Indeed, after a passive first half by the Reds, there was a certain sense of relief on their part they were level at the interval.
It was the visitors who created the best chances in the first half and they should have had a lead to protect when the second half barrage began.
Mark Pembridge will be left to ponder how he missed two glaring chances to give the Blues the perfect start.
His first came within five minutes when Thomas Gravesen sent him one on one with Sander Westerveld.
The finish was awful.
Pembridge did find his target six minutes later with a lunge on Nick Barmby which brought the game's first yellow card.
Barmby would have his answer within 60 seconds.
It was inevitable Barmby would score his first Premiership goal against his former club.
The script was pre-ordained as he headed Christian Ziege's wayward shot into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations.
Barmby milked the moment and on home territory he was suitably inspired to produce one of his best displays in a Liverpool shirt.
After all the hype and attention, he revelled in his second of glory.
His timing was immaculate too as he drowned out the chants of "Judas" and worse to give Liverpool an 11th minute lead.
It was a welcome bonus for the Reds who'd been slowest to get into their stride.
But rather than give them the platform on which to settle into a more fluent game, they remained second best for long periods of the opening 45 minutes.
Pembridge should have equalised immediately, but he hit wastefully wide with the goal at his mercy after Idan Tal's head back.
It was no surprise when the equaliser finally arrived.
Westerveld's indecision with high balls into the box was exposed again as David Weir headed Tal's corner across the six yard box for Campbell to nod in.
Chances were at a premium for the rest of the half, although it was Everton who were enjoying greater possession.
For the first 45 minutes, Paul Gascoigne was running the midfield while Didi Hamann and Gary McAllister struggled to get a grip on the game.
One imagined the half-time pep talk gave one or two of the red shirts a wake-up call in derby reality.
Liverpool had to earn the right to get their passing game going and that's precisely what they did.
Things changed radically in the second half as Liverpool dominated, took control and buried the game.
Heskey was leading the improvement with yet another monumental performance.
His touch, movement and ability to hurt opponents has advanced his game beyond recognition to that which he showed when he first arrived.
Heskey struck his sixth goal in four games to give Liverpool the ascendency on 55 minutes.
Paul Gerrard may have been taken by surprise by the speed of the shot as it flew into his bottom corner.
From that point on there was no way back for Everton as Liverpool started to find their form.
When the lively substitute Vladimir Smicer accepted Westerveld's clever throw to race through on goal, a third looked inevitable until Gravesen's ill-fated intervention ended the contest.
Berger blasted in the 76th minute penalty and the ten men waited for the final whistle in the hope of avoiding further damage.
Everton could reflect on what might have been had they taken their chances, but for Liverpool it was another encouraging display with signs they are a genuine Premiership force again.
Michael Owen apart, this was arguably the best eleven Liverpool has and they found the extra gears required to turn the game in their favour.
In Steven Gerrard, Liverpool also had the game's outstanding performer.
Even at right back his ferocious tackling and distribution shone.
Gerrard is a magnificent player. A gem. He could play anywhere, and has, and while the label "central midfielder" should be stuck to him with extra-adhesive tape, it's clear he's the best right back in the country too. And left back for that matter.
Gerard Houllier explained he was playing him on the right to protect him from the more demanding midfield areas where his niggling injury takes its toll.
Understandable if it means the side aren't going to be regularly deprived of his services.
When a right back can dominate the game in such a fashion, he must be a special talent.
The celebrations on the final whistle vividly highlighted how much this victory meant to Liverpool.
There's a lot of nonsense talked about this being "just another game".
It isn't and never will be.
Winning it gives Houllier's side another huge injection of confidence and belief ahead of more crucial games this week.
If they continue to battle this hard, and play such quality football, it can only be a matter of time before a new era of success comes the club's way.
Liverpool: Westerveld; Gerrard (Carragher 86), Hyypia, Babbel, Ziege; Barmby, Hamann, McAllister, Berger; Fowler (Smicer 68), Heskey not used: Arphexad, Murphy, Traore.
Everton: Gerrard; Watson, Weir, Xavier, Ball (Naysmith 53); Gravesen, Nyarko, Gascoigne, Pembridge, Tal (Max-Moore 66); Campbell.
Subs not used: Unsworth, Simonsen, Gemmill.
Referee: Paul Durkin.
Bookings: Pembridge (foul).
Sent off: Gravesen (professional foul).
Goals: Barmby (11), Campbell (17), Heskey (55), Berger (76).
Attendance: 44,718.
Liverpool Star Man: Steven Gerrard. Sensational display by the youngster. Nothing got past him. Showed physical strength and skill to shine.
Everton Star Man: Paul Gascoigne. Competitive and controlled throughout.
How they rated
Liverpool
SANDER WESTERVELD: Still looks far from comfortable. Didn't dominate his area enough, especially on Everton's equaliser, but saved well from Pembridge in the second half and his quick thinking led to Liverpool's third. Score 6.
STEVEN GERRARD: Outstanding. Grew in stature as the match progressed and in the second half especially he looked the complete full back. Which he's not, he's a midfielder of course. Man of the match. Score 9.
MARKUS BABBEL: Steady and assured at the back. Held the defence together well during a rocky opening half hour. Score 7.
SAMI HYYPIA: Uncharacteristically shaky at the start, when his passing letting him down. Second half was more like his accomplished self, however, as he stifled the threat of Campbell. Score 7.
CHRISTIAN ZIEGE: Distribution very sloppy in the first half but remained dangerous when he found himself with the ball in advanced positions. Given a hard time by Gravesen for the first hour. Score 6.
NICK BARMBY: Scored one, made one - talk about letting the occasion get to him! Industrious as ever, was a key link in the opening 45 minutes when his team-mates struggled to impose themselves. Score 8.
DIETMAR HAMANN: Failed to impose himself on proceedings, but helped shackle Gascoigne more effectively as the match wore on. Score 6.
GARY McALLISTER: Never allowed the time and space to control play as in recent weeks as the packed Everton midfield deliberately closed him down. Escaped their attentions after the break and was instrumental in his side's second half dominance. Score 7.
PATRIK BERGER: So often a potent weapon against Everton but not this time. Started sluggishly but recovered late on, linking up well with substitute Smicer. A fine penalty to seal the victory as well. Score 7.
EMILE HESKEY: Once the passes started to find him, the big man was a constant menace to Everton, pulling their defence everywhere at times. Scored an exceptional goal which helped turn the tide the Reds way. Score 8.
ROBBIE FOWLER: Cannot be faulted for effort at the moment, but still a long way off match pace. Substituted with 20 minutes remaining. Score 6.
.
Boston-Sox
29-10-11, 08:29
Gerrard revels in the role of winner
Derby joy wipes away memory of sending-off
Report by IAN DOYLE
STEVEN GERRARD turned from derby villain to derby hero yesterday to help Liverpool to a 3-1 victory over Mersey neighbours Everton.
The last time the two sides met at Anfield in September 1999, Gerrard was sent off in the dying moments for an X-rated lunge on Kevin Campbell in a 1-0 defeat.
But yesterday the Reds starlet put in a man-of-the-match performance as goals from Nick Barmby, Emile Heskey and Patrik Berger ensured Liverpool have now lost just one of their last six derby encounters.
Gerrard was outstanding at right-back, nullifying the threat of Everton's tricky Israeli winger Idan Tal with some meaty challenges and earning fulsome praise from boss Gerard Houllier.
However, the England international was typically modest about his starring role.
"I haven't been playing at right-back all my life," admitted the 20-year-old.
"But I have played there for the last few games and have enjoyed it.
"I've done quite well and hopefully I can remain in the starting XI.
"I prefer to play in central midfield, but if I keep playing like I have today at right-back and keep my place in the team, then I will be happy."
Hailing from Huyton, Gerrard is well aware of the significance a derby victory means to the fans and revealed that this will to win had been transmitted to the rest of the Liverpool dressing room.
"We were buzzing after the game," he added.
"Everyone was delighted, particularly as we'd beaten our local rivals.
The players were up for this one.
"I enjoyed myself, but I wouldn't be saying I had enjoyed myself if we had been beaten, no matter how well I would have played.
"The first half was fast and furious and we were expecting that, but we knew things would settle down in the second half and we dominated possession.
"Everton matched us in those early stages, both physically and playing-wise.
But I thought they tired the more the game went on and that is when we began to dominate."
Gerrard praised team-mates Nick Barmby and Emile Heskey for their goalscoring exploits.
"Nick was in dreamland when he scored - but so was I as well," he beamed.
"I helped him celebrate the goal, and he deserved it because he worked hard and played very well on the day.
"And Emile is on fire at the moment.
He just can't stop scoring goals.
People had written him enough before the season saying he wouldn't score enough, but he has proven them wrong - and he's playing well too."
The youngster also moved to allay fears of a fresh injury blow after being forced off the field seven minutes from time.
"It's definitely not my groin," he insisted.
"It is just a touch of cramp and hopefully I will be okay for Wednesday."
Liverpool entertain Chelsea that night in the Worthington Cup, and with the Reds lying third in the Premiership and taking a one-goal lead to the Czech Republic for their UEFA Cup clash with Slovan Liberec next week, things are beginning to gel for Houllier's side.
"We have won four games on the run now and kept three clean sheets and only conceded the one goal against Everton, so things are looking good," enthused Gerrard.
"We are defending well as a team and we have important games coming up and it is our aim to stay in the top three between now and the end of the season."
Copyright - Liverpool Daily Post
Boston-Sox
29-10-11, 08:30
ON THIS DAY IN 2005
Liverpool find scoring touch
Liverpool don't really do demolitions any more, so they will gratefully take this painstakingly, chipped out victory and move on.
A deflected shot from Xavi Alonso and Bolo Zenden's late strike off a post separated them from West Ham, although they had the opportunities to put the issue beyond dispute long before the Dutchman's goal. Fernando Morientes squandered two, second half chances and West Ham's goalkeeper, Shaka Hislop saved athletically from Louis Garcia to prolong the semblance of a contest.
But therein lies what should be the lingering concern from Liverpool and their manager, Rafael Benitez. Goals remain elusive for their strikers. Morientes is a shadow of the once majestic player, a yard too slow in the frenzy of the English game and lacking the conviction to capitalise on his aerial prowess. His partner in this match, Djibril Cisse, had one of those exasperatingly ineffectual days. The Frenchman does, at least, have the pace essential to outstrip Premiership defences but he ultimately made way for Zenden's arrival.
Steven Gerrard's restoration to the starting line-up inevitably raised expectations, although his impact was compromised by being stationed wide on the right. As a consequence, he was able to make fewer of those familiar, surging runs through the middle that inspired colleagues and terrorised opponents in equal measure.
Even so, his very presence palpably unsettled West Ham and eventually Liverpool's superiority subdued Alan Pardew's side. West Ham started with admirably positive intent and Nigel Rao-Coker again demonstrated his obvious talent. Yossi Benayoun fleetingly gave glimpses of his skills, too, but by the second half, he had become an almost anonymous figure, leaving Marlon Harewood, West Ham's sole out and out striker, an ever-more forlorn and remote figure. Just like their faded bubbles, West Ham faded and died as a force.
Benitez, not unreasonably, argued he would settle for this result every week, regardless of the scorers, but behind that stoic countenance he will surely be frantically trying to work out how he can find a consistent source of goals.
He said: "The strikers worked hard and if we win 2-0 every game it's okay. Even if (Jose, the Liverpool goalkeeper) Reina scores. All Morientes needs is to score.
It was an idea to use Steve wide and he did a good job. He can still come inside and he had the freedom to do that. It's possible we will play him there again."
Gerrard did have the freedom to step in to a more accustomed role when Zenden came on and the Dutchman made the most of Pardew's decision to take off his right back, Tomas Repka.
Pardew conceded: "You could blame me for the second goal. But we tried to do something. We were up against the European champions and we had some brilliant individual performance.
"But we didn't do enough to warrant getting back in the game after their first goal. We're a little disappointed we didn't show more relief to go and hurt them. They were focussed and Steve and Gerrard made a massive difference."
West Ham failed to muster a serious threat to Reina's goal and survived a few scares before Liverpool went ahead in the 18th minute. Alonso took careful aim from 25-yards but his shot still took a deflection off Repka on its way past Hislop.
Sami Hyypia had a shot cleared off the West Ham line by Paul Konchesky as Liverpool at last began to flick through the gears.
Morientes could have claimed that second goal but wanted more time than Anton Ferdinand prepared to permit him.
The Spaniard met Steve Finnan's centre with a characteristic header, only for Hislop, lunging down to his right, to save.
The goalkeeper made an even better save to deny Garcier but couldn't respond to Zenden's drilled effort in the 82nd minute.
pArTlYdAvE-
29-10-11, 08:51
Liverpool are through to the group stages of the Champions League after goals from Peter Crouch, Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt (2) gave them a 4-0 victory over Toulouse at Anfield on Tuesday and a 5-0 win on aggregate.
The Reds will now wait until Thursday's draw in Monaco to see which three teams they will be grouped with after Crouch struck in the first half and Hyypia and Kuyt struck in the second to add to Andriy Voronin's strike in France a fortnight ago.
This game was preceded by a moving tribute to Everton fanatic Rhys Jones, whose tragic death has touched the hearts of the whole city. Rhys's beloved Z-Cars anthem was played ahead of the traditional You'll Never Walk Alone, before the players, fans and Rhys's parents and brother stood through an emotional period of applause.A sell out crowd gave Anfield a familiar feel for a European night, but there was an unfamiliar look to the team sheet because injuries to Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher meant this would be the first time in 103 Euro ties that the Reds have been without at least one of them. Rafa Benitez made six changes from the side that won at Sunderland, with one of them a debut for young Argentine Sebastian Leto.
It was Toulouse who started the game quickest when Emana warmed the hands of Reina with a hooked shot, but Liverpool were soon on the attack with Riise forcing Douchez into a save before Leto quickly endeared himself to the Kop by dancing in from the left and effortlessly beating two men.
Liverpool's 1-0 first leg lead meant Toulouse had to try force the issue here and they started with a good deal more ambition than they had shown in the game in France. But it was Liverpool who looked the more dangerous and they took a deserved lead through Peter Crouch in the 19th minute.
Crouch was making his first appearance of the season, but he was sharp from the start and was first to Dirk Kuyt's deep cross to hook the ball past the despairing dive of the goalkeeper and make Toulouse's task doubly difficult.
It was a goal that meant, because of Voronin's strike in France, Liverpool had one foot in the group stages. And they could have had the tie settled by half time had they taken at least one of the many chances they created before the break.
Crouch was in the action again in the 22nd minute when his drilled shot from a tight angle flashed just wide; and the England man was the scourge of the Toulouse defence again in the 29th minute when he rose highest to head Benayoun's corner just over the crossbar. Benayoun was having a good game on his Anfield debut and some more good work by him in the 33rd minute gave Kuyt a chance that he put just the wrong side of the post.
Any thoughts Toulouse had of a comeback were extinguished in the 49th minute when Sami Hyypia, who was captain for night, found himself free in the area and planted a firm header past Douchez and into the Kop net. Benayoun was again the provider with a pinpoint corner.
It was job done for Liverpool and Rafa had the luxury of making a couple of changes in the second half, with one of them meaning a debut for Lucas.
The Reds created a number of chances to increase their margin of victory, most notably when Dirk Kuyt smashed a shot against the crossbar and Crouch hit over. But Kuyt wasn't to be denied and he scored a superb third in the 87th minute before finishing the scoring with his second and Liverpool's fourth in stoppage time.
Today In History
August 28th
Extra Info
LIVERPOOL V TOULOUSE
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
3ERD QUALIFYING ROUND 2ED LEG
ANFIELD
28-8-2007
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Jose Reina
Alvaro Arbeloa
Sami Hyypia
Daniel Agger (Steve Finnan)
John Arne Riise
Yossi Benayoun
Sebastian Leto (Ryan Babel)
Mohamed Sissoko (Lucas Leiva)
Javier Mascherano
Peter Crouch
Dirk Kuyt
Won 4-0
Crouch 19'
Hyypia 49'
Kuyt 87' 90'
Att
43,118
I was on the front row of the lower Annie for this game almost behind the right hand goal post and had a good view of the Jones family and the dignified way they handled the occasion. I remember the Toulouse fans being great and joining in the applause.
I'll always remember this game.
I also got wacked in the stomach by the ball from the Toulouse players warming up despite the nets being up to stop the ball going into the crowd I was stood too close the the wall. I pretended to my friends I was with it didnt hurt:o:FP:
Boston-Sox
29-10-11, 11:10
I was on the front row of the lower Annie for this game almost behind the right hand goal post and had a good view of the Jones family and the dignified way they handled the occasion. I remember the Toulouse fans being great and joining in the applause.
I'll always remember this game.
I also got wacked in the stomach by the ball from the Toulouse players warming up despite the nets being up to stop the ball going into the crowd I was stood too close the the wall. I pretended to my friends I was with it didnt hurt:o:FP:
Reminds me of the great European night at Anfield when we played St Etienne we were in the Kemlyn Road stand when Ray Kennedy sliced the ball into the stand and it hit my brother in the face :eek::FP: :D
pArTlYdAvE-
29-10-11, 11:42
Reminds me of the great European night at Anfield when we played St Etienne we were in the Kemlyn Road stand when Ray Kennedy sliced the ball into the stand and it hit my brother in the face :eek::FP: :D
that was some night wasnt it bud :scarf:D
Derby matches are usually so tight that it is remarkable indeed when one of the clubs has the satisfaction of really thrashing their neighbours. But to score 5 away from home, and it could have been 10, is rare indeed. Sure, Liverpool had a GREAT team at this time whereas their city rivals were still a few years short of becoming a real force in the land again. But Welshman Ian Rush was the man who destroyed his boyhood heroes with the most clinical display of finishing that could have been seen in a match of such importance. His pace and accuracy tore the home team apart.
Oddly enough, Liverpool only scored once in the first half, when Alan Hansen's delicate through ball dissected the home defence for Rush to run on to and drill a low shot past his countryman Neville Southall. It was a deserved lead because Rush had hit the bar in the opening seconds and Sammy Lee was also denied by the woodwork in the first period. Evertonians will claim that the sending-off of Glenn Keeley after 37 minutes in his one and only appearance for the Blues contributed greatly to their side's downfall. But the truth is that Keeley deserved to go for cynically holding back Kenny Dalglish when the Scot appeared to have a clear run on goal. Dalglish was also furious at having a first-half header from Alan Kennedy's left-wing cross mysteriously disallowed for offside. The players had actually lined up again for the kick-off before the referee noticed a linesman waving his flag in the air. Television replays later showed that the linesman made no effort to lift his flag as Dalglish timed his run perfectly to ram his header beyond Southall. It was only a second or two later that he decided that Kenny must have been offside!
A one-goal lead is always precarious but Everton's luck ran out in the second half. However, Liverpool didn't need much luck of their own. They played some mesmerising football and ran the home defence ragged. Six minutes into the second half Rush scored his second with a shot from the edge of the area which was slightly deflected away from Southall's dive. Four minutes later the home defence went to sleep as Liverpool took a throw-in on the right and the unmarked Dalglish crossed for Mark Lawrenson to steer the ball in at the back post in front of the delirious visiting fans. Other chances came and went but Rush wrote himself into the history books when he raced from half-way to beat Southall again, showing coolness beyond his years to steer his second shot into goal after the first had rebounded from the post. But even he wasn't finished and completed the rout five minutes from time with another run from the halfway line which ended with him rounding the goalkeeper and stroking the ball into an unguarded net.
Many of the home support had already gone home to lick their wounds by this time but the Liverpool fans knew this was a moment to savour. Yes, they were defending champions and would go on to retain their crown but to score 5 against the Blues on their own ground was a sweet moment indeed. Ian Rush was in some of the best form of his career at that time, even though it was only his second full season in the First Division. He scored another hat-trick 7 days later against Coventry and ended up with 24 League goals from 34 matches. But few will have given him as much pleasure as the four he grabbed at Goodison in one of the biggest-ever derby wins.
Everton: Southall, Borrows, Bailey, Wright, Keeley, McMahon, Heath, Johnson (Richardson), Sharp, King, Sheedy.
Liverpool: Grobbelaar, Neal, Kennedy, Thompson, Johnston, Hansen, Dalglish, (Hodgson), Lee, Rush, Lawrenson, Souness.
IAN RUSH MEMORIES 25 YEARS ON IN 2007
I RECEIVED a phone call last week from someone who told me that today marked the 25th anniversary of Liverpool’s famous 5-0 win against Everton at Goodison Park.
The first thing that struck me was I couldn’t believe that a quarter of a century had passed since that day because I can still remember it like it was yesterday.
I was lucky enough to score four goals in that game and doing that ranks as one of my greatest personal achievements, right up there with the goals I scored in cup finals.
Before the game I was really keen to do well because it was my first real involvement in the Merseyside derby and the fact I was playing against the team I supported as a boy only added to my desire.
Bob Paisley had taken me to one side beforehand and told me that no-one had scored a hat-trick in the derby for 40 or 50 years.
He may have just been trying to fire me up but part of me thinks Bob being Bob he had spotted something in the way Everton set up that made him believe I could get at them a bit.
But I don’t think even he could have predicted what followed.
To win a derby 5-0 is an incredible achievement and ever since that day I’ve had Evertonians tell me that the scoreline would have been different if they hadn’t gone down to ten men when Glenn Keeley was sent off.
But I’ve always joked that they are right – we probably would have won by six or seven!
It was just one of those games when you feel you can score with every attack and I was lucky enough to get the four goals and Mark Lawrenson got the other.
What a lot of people don’t remember, though, is Neville Southall was absolutely brilliant that day.
He made some unbelievable saves and without him we probably would have scored even more.
My favourite goal from that game was the one for my hat-trick. I can remember being put through and thinking ‘this is my big chance’ but my shot hit the post.
But before I knew it the ball was back at my feet and I scored the rebound. That was my favourite because I knew how important it was and also because it happened in front of the Liverpool fans in the Park End.
It was a fantastic moment and something that will live with me for ever.
After the game I had to get back home to Wales but I was banned from driving at the time so the funny thing was I had to get a lift off Kevin Ratcliffe.
As we were walking back to his car none of the Evertonians were giving me stick but they were all giving him loads!
We got in the car and there was me, Kevin and the match ball so you can imagine what that journey must have been like for him.
I asked him if he’d get the ball signed by the Everton lads for me and I couldn’t repeat what he told me to do in a family newspaper. But Kevin being the kind of fella he is, he did get it signed for me and that’s a gesture I will always appreciate.
It was a great day and I just hope the anniversary brings back as many happy memories for the Liverpool fans as it has for me.
Kop that!
Liverpool staged the most magnificent recovery of their 21-year European history at a near-hysterical Anfield.
Mark Walters' 83rd minute strike enabled Liverpool's patched-up team to achieve a feat that had been beyond all their illustrious predecessors.
Never before had any Liverpool side overturned a two-goal first-leg lead in European combat.
But the Kop saluted their heroes with a rousing chorus of "You'll Never Walk Alone" as Liverpool warned the rest of Europe that they are still a force to be reckoned with.
The Reds had the breaks but they were richly deserved by players who were keen to atone for their abysmal first-leg display.
Auxerre lost Hungarian international striker Kalman Kovacs through injury after 16 minutes and defender Frederic Darras sent off in the 75th minute for a second bookable offence - a foul on Walters.
But Liverpool made a dream start with Jan Molby slotting in a fourth minute penalty after Stephane Mahe tripped Steve McManaman.
Auxerre should have equalised five minutes later when Jean-Marc Ferreri sped down the right and crossed for the unmarked Kovacs.
But his stab for goal was blocked by the diving Bruce Grobbelaar.
The Zimbabwean had kept the score down in France and was to rescue Liverpool again after the break when he stuck out a leg to foil an Alain Roche volley.
Souness omitted Glenn Hysen and Dean Saunders, moving Mike Marsh to an unfamiliar right-back role. But Marsh was one of the outstanding players in a performance full of spirit. He mastered lively winger Pascal Vahirua and stole forward for the 30th minute goal which levelled the aggregate scores heading in a Houghton cross.
Goalkeeper Bruno Martini tipped around a swerving Molby free-kick before the first-half ended on a farcical note.
Two supporters were involved in a skirmish with stewards and police in the back of the French goal as a Steve McMahon shot cleared the cross bar with Martini impeded by the struggling figures beside him.
Extra-time looked a certainty despite Nick Tanner almost turning a Vashirua shot into his own goal before Walters provided the explosive finish.
Match-winner Walters paid tribute to the Kop after the historic win.
Walters insisted the volume of support from Liverpool's fans was crucial: "The fans were the vital factor. The noise they created put fear on the faces of the French players. You could see it. It was nice for us to give them something to shout about as we have had to take a lot of flak recently. We had a dream start with a goal after four minutes and didn't panic when it would have been easy to start pumping the ball upfield. We showed patience and got our reward."
Jubilant manager Graeme Souness also appreciated the value of the Mersey sound but also recognised the Herculean efforts of his players. He said: "Considering our injuries and the four foreigners regulation the performance was immense. In terms of the silky football this club is famous for, there wasn't much of that. But in terms of grit, determination and will to win I could not have asked for more. Everybody had written us off but we showed this club is made of sterner stuff than some people would have you believe. The crowd was superb, we have a young team and they need to know they have the backing of supporters. I feel more tired now than when I was playing on one of the old European night here."
Liverpool 3 - 0 Auxerre
Game date: 06.11.1991 Stadium: Anfield
Competition: UEFA Cup 2nd round 2L Attendance: 23,094
Referee: da Silva Valente CA (Portugal)
Starting line-up
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Gary Ablett
3 David Burrows
4 Mike Marsh
5 Jan Mølby
6 Nick Tanner
7 Steve McManaman
8 Ray Houghton
9 Ian Rush
10 Mark Walters
11 Steve McMahon
Subs
17 Robbie Holcroft
12 Steve Harkness
14 Jamie Redknapp
15 Barry Jones
Goals
Jan Mølby 4' pen
Mike Marsh 29'
Mark Walters 83'
- Mike Marsh scores his debut goal for LFC
- Only 4 subs due to injuries.
Liverpool 8 - 0 Besiktas
Game date: 06.11.2007 Stadium: Anfield
Competition: Champions L. 1st Group Ph. Attendance: 41,143
Referee: Merk M (Germany)
Starting line-up
25 Jose Reina
4 Sami Hyypia
6 John Arne Riise
12 Fábio Aurélio
17 Álvaro Arbeloa
23 Jamie Carragher
8 Steven Gerrard
11 Yossi Benayoun
20 Javier Mascherano
10 Andriy Voronin
15 Peter Crouch
Subs
40 David Martin
3 Steve Finnan
7 Harry Kewell
19 Ryan Babel
21 Lucas Leiva
9 Fernando Torres
18 Dirk Kuyt
Goals
Peter Crouch 19'
Yossi Benayoun 32'
Yossi Benayoun 52'
Yossi Benayoun 56'
Steven Gerrard 69'
Ryan Babel 78'
Ryan Babel 81'
Peter Crouch 88'
Substitutions
Fábio Aurélio out for Ryan Babel 63'
Andriy Voronin out for Harry Kewell 72'
Steven Gerrard out for Lucas Leiva 72'
It was impossible for Liverpool to do anything more in Group A of the Champions League than hoist themselves into third place but they have raised their confidence level to the very heavens. That self-belief is essential none the less because Marseille's defeat by Porto means that Rafael Benitez's side are three points short of the second qualifying place with two fixtures to be completed.
Liverpool and Marseille could, in the end, be tied on 10 points in the group. This would happen if both win their next fixture and the English side then complete the programme with victory in France. Were that outcome to be reached by a 1-0 result, reversing exactly the Anfield defeat by Marseille, a different criterion would separate them. The goals scored by each club over the whole group would decide the matter and, in view of this 8-0 rout, Liverpool would surely trump Marseille.
All of that is, for the time being, in the realms of convoluted speculation. Liverpool would be wiser to confine themselves to recognising the immediate benefit of setting the record result in Champions League history. It attests to the abrupt expressiveness of a side who have usually had too little to say for themselves.
Besiktas, of course, have to be disparaged as a team of minimal resilience. Their victory against Liverpool in Istanbul must now seem all the more maddening to the Premier League club.
Prior to this fixture the Anfield team had hit a mere two goals in the group. Peter Crouch alone got as many here and even he seemed sluggish when Yossi Benayoun pocketed one hat-trick and the substitute Ryan Babel almost had another but the ball hit the bar. Oddly the performer who outdid even Benayoun could not himself score. The irrepressible movement of Andriy Voronin was, none the less, traumatic for Besiktas.
The Turkish club were brutalised and clemency was nowhere to be found. With two minutes to go, Crouch was gleeful as he nodded in a delivery from Benayoun. The England forward basked in the limelight after months in which he had sometimes been confined to the shadows.
The entire line-up made sense, with Javier Mascherano keeping the midfield in balance while team-mates concentrated on knocking Besiktas off their feet. Despite the pyrotechnics this was a mature display, with Liverpool methodically building their dominance prior to the interval.
There had not, admittedly, been all that much reason lately for exuberance over events on this pitch. Apart from being beaten by Marseille here, Liverpool have won only a single Premier League game in five attempts at home in the current programme. It was, therefore, a breach of the pattern for Liverpool to be leading 2-0 with slightly over half an hour completed.
Besiktas, missing their best defender, the centre-back Gokhan Zan, ultimately surrendered to despair. It was Crouch who initially nudged them towards capitulation. Voronin aimed a pass towards him after 19 minutes and when the holding midfielder Edouard Cissé sought to intercept he simply prodded the ball into the path of Crouch. The first attempt by the striker was saved by the hapless Hakan Arikan but he knocked in the rebound.
With 32 minutes gone the visitors should have been awarded a throw-in after the ball broke from John Arne Riise, but the Norwegian shamelessly took it himself. Voronin crossed deep and Benayoun finished well with a low drive.
Besiktas, disheartened, became ever more fragile and Voronin, in this mood, would have smashed tougher visitors than these. The energy of the Ukrainian was a marvel but that vitality was applied with discernment. His pass set up Riise for the typically bullish shot which Arikan pushed out as far as Benayoun, who snatched his second goal after 52 minutes.
The hat-trick for the Israeli was an inevitability. When Lamine Diatta brought down Voronin, Steven Gerrard's free-kick came back off the goalkeeper to the waiting Benayoun. Liverpool wishes were coming true at a frenetic rate and the singing welled up in acclaim of Benítez.
Jubilation also gushed out for a beautiful goal by Gerrard, who completed a pair of one-twos with Mascherano and Voronin before smashing home his finish after 69 minutes. Not to be outdone, Babel recorded the sixth by flicking in a Benayoun cut-back with the inside of his heel. After 81 minutes Ibrahim Toraman's clearance bounced off the Dutchman to float high into the net.
Anfield ignominy assumed a multitude of forms for Besiktas.
Match Facts
11' Ozkan
19' Crouch 1-0
32' Benayoun 2-0
53' Benayoun 3-0
56' Benayoun 4-0
69' Gerrard 5-0
78' Babel 6-0
81' Babel 7-0
89' Crouch 8-0
Liverpool
Jose Manuel Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio (Ryan Babel), Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise, Yossi Benayoun, Steven Gerrard (Lucas Leiva), Javier Mascherano, Peter Crouch, Andriy Voronin (Harry Kewell)
Besiktas
Hakan Arikan, Lamine Diatta, Serdar Kurtulus (Federico Martin Higuain), Ibrahim Toraman, Edouard Cisse, Matias Emilio Delgado, Mustafa Koray Avci, Serdar Ozkan (Ali Tandogan), Mehmet Sedef (Luis Ricardinho), Ibrahim Uzulmez, Rogerio Da Silva Bobo
Referee: Merk, M
Venue: Anfield
Attendance: 41,143
Corners:
Liverpool 3
Besiktas 2
Goal Attempts:
Liverpool 28
Besiktas 3
On Target:
Liverpool 19
Besiktas 1
Boston-Sox
29-11-11, 11:37
ON THIS DAY IN 2000
No more holidays in their homeland for the men from the land of fire and ice, surely. The entire population of Iceland was apparently glued to their sets for live transmission of what amounted to a home international, according to the commentator.
What they witnessed was a Second Division team owned, managed and in no small part staffed by their countrymen being humiliated by eight goals, three from Robbie Fowler, as Liverpool ran riot.
After being knocked out of the FA Cup recently by Nuneaton Borough these are not good times for for Stoke.
Barely four minutes had elapsed when Peter Thorne made himself the simplest chance. Chasing down a short back-pass he came out of a 50-50 tackle with Pegguy Arphexad with the ball at his feet and the goal empty. Somehow he hit the post.
Within 90 seconds Liverpool were ahead. Breaking quickly, Robbie Fowler made space on the left and drove in a low cross. Christian Ziege, closing unmarked on the six-yard line, sidefooted high into the net.
Determined to make a game of it but unable to rely on Thorne, Liverpool's defence handed Kyle Lightbourne an immediate chance to square it up, St?phane Henchoz slicing the ball to the big striker with no one but Arphexad to beat.
Unfortunately for Stoke Lightbourne's first touch was criminally wooden, allowing the goalkeeper enough time to block at his feet. Suddenly you began to see how it was they had failed to score in two games against Nuneaton.
Having laid siege to Liverpool's goal for 10 minutes, Stoke immediately conceded twice. First they failed to clear a Gary McAllister hoof clear, allowing Markus Babbel, slightly fortuitously, to find Vladimir Smicer, who duly scored.
Within a couple of minutes the tie was completely over. Fowler was allowed to return a half-cleared corner into the area with a scissors-kick and, with Stoke's defence admiring that, Babbel smacked home.
Liverpool made it four before half-time. McAllister sent over a corner, Sammi Hyypia flicked on and Fowler nodded in.
Hyppia delivered the fifth goal on the hour, prodding home Danny Murphy's cross after Brynjar Gunnarsson slipped; Murphy himself hit the sixth, courtesy of Fowler, both striking in less than splendid isolation.
Fowler completed his hat-trick, first seizing on a Ziege through ball and then burying a penalty. Then as the highest football crowd the Brittannia Stadium has ever drawn began to empty, the diehards sang the club anthem Delilah, laying emphasis on the line: "I just couldn't take any more."
Worthington Cup
Wednesday November 29, 2000
Stoke (0) 0 - 8 (4) Liverpool
Ziege (6)
Smicer (26)
Babbel (28)
Fowler (39)
Hyypia (59)
Murphy (65)
Fowler (82)
Fowler (84) pen
Stoke City
Muggleton; Clarke, Dorigo, Gunnarsson, Hansson (Petty), Mohan; Kavanagh, Risom; Gudjonsson, Lightbourne (Thordarson), Thorne (Goodfellow).
Liverpool
Arphexad; Babbel (Wright, S), Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Ziege; McAllister, Murphy, Partridge (Barmby); Fowler, Smicer (Hamann).
Referee: A. P. D'Urso (Billericay)
Attendance: 27,109
Bookings
Stoke City: None
Liverpool: Ziege (19) Henchoz (79)
Sent off
None
Free-kicks
Stoke City: 6
Liverpool: 9
Corners
Stoke City: 1
Liverpool: 3
Goal attempts
Stoke City: 9
Liverpool: 18
On target
Stoke City: 2
Liverpool: 10
Hit woodwork
Stoke City: 1
Liverpool: 0
Offsides
Stoke City: 10
Liverpool: 5
Boston-Sox
29-11-11, 11:38
ON THIS DAY IN 2009
Happy Days for Rafa Benitez as the Fonz looks on
IT WAS almost as if Bill Kenwright was actively tempting fate. Never one to miss the opportunity of raising his club’s profile, the Everton owner invited Henry Winkler, better known as the Fonz, as a guest of honour at Goodison yesterday.
But this was anything but a happy day for the Blue half of Merseyside as Liverpool continued their hold over this Premier League fixture to kickstart their campaign and nudge their neighbours further towards a winter of discontent.
Winkler, who is playing Captain Hook in pantomime in the city this Christmas, looked on as Everton largely dominated a frenetic, sub-standard derby only to be undermined by poor fortune and poor finishing.
As Esther Ranzten, another celebrity to drop in on the local spat, might well say, that’s life.
Certainly, Rafael Benitez is unlikely to feel much sympathy towards Goodison counterpart David Moyes having grown tired of dwelling on his team’s ill fortune in recent times.
There could be no such complaints yesterday, however. From the moment Javier Mascherano’s speculative 25-yard effort struck the boot of Joseph Yobo and looped beyond Tim Howard into the goal in the 12th minute, the evidence was there to suggest Liverpool’s luck was finally beginning to change.
Of course, it will take more than one scrappy, fortuitous victory to convince that a hugely disappointing season has turned a decisive corner.
But the confidence taken from this victory – Liverpool’s eighth in their last 10 league visits to Goodison – cannot be underestimated, particularly given the manner in which a much-derided defence held firm in the face of concerted Everton pressure.
How apt Pepe Reina should emerge as an influential figure yesterday, the goalkeeper having been one of the few consistently shining lights during a gloomy autumn for Benitez.
It was his stupendous double save from Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini 20 minutes from time that ensured an all-too-rare Premier League clean sheet for Liverpool and knock the wind out of Everton’s sails.
Few could have quibbled had the home side earned at least a point. Moyes’s men played the better football in responding to their manager’s call to stand up and be counted after the horrors at Hull City last Wednesday.
No more so than Steven Pienaar, by far the game’s most creative force until understandably fading in the soggy conditions.
The South African was aided by Fellaini, who produced by some distance his best display of the season and whose aerial prowess – which overstepped the mark with one challenge that drew blood from Lucas – caused Liverpool continued problems.
But for all their application, effort and desire, the touch of class and guile that may have made the difference was lacking, Everton eventually resorting to punting long balls into the area in the forlorn hope Liverpool’s defence would cough up a mistake.
Yes, the harsh facts make for painful reading. One win in 11. Six points from a possible 24. Three points off the relegation places. Not to mention the failure of the Destination Kirkby project. Yet despite being dragged ever nearer the drop zone, surely Everton will only be looking up the table if they can build on this form in the coming weeks.
Liverpool, too, can afford to realign their sights with the top four now within touching distance once again after responding well to their Champions League exit five days earlier.
With Fernando Torres having failed a fitness test on his sportsman’s hernia and Steven Gerrard patently half-fit, the visitors were forced to dig deep and demonstrate a resilience and character that has been curiously lacking at times during this campaign.
Whether this proves a turning point in their campaign is entirely in their own hands. Benitez has always stated a run of wins could transform his team’s season, and it would be unforgivable to waste this platform.
Mascherano’s excessive celebrations after his Yobo-assisted opener, the midfielder running almost the full length of the field to gesticulate wildly in front of the travelling support, could be perceived as one in the eye for those who believe he would rather have been at the Camp Nou for Europe’s other big derby yesterday.
Clearly, the Argentine has rediscovered his mojo and was again Liverpool’s most impressive performer, followed closely by Jamie Carragher, another to have attracted criticism after an indifferent opening few months to the campaign.
This was the Carragher of old, revelling in his favourite fixture by launching into tackles and blocks while never giving an inch, complimented by the cool, composed but no less effective approach of centre-back partner Daniel Agger.
And the pair needed to be at their best with Everton’s search for an equaliser pushing Liverpool back for most of the first half. Jo, preferred as the lone striker by Moyes, twice had the ball in the net only to be correctly adjudged offside on each occasion, and also came close to connecting with Fellaini’s flick on from a Hibbert long ball.
A similar combination fashioned Everton’s best chance before the break, Hibbert’s long throw nodded on by Fellaini and eventually reaching the far post where an unmarked Diniyar Bilyaletdinov scuffed horribly wide from six yards.
Other than the goal, Liverpool’s only threat of note in the opening period came when Glen Johnson’s first real foray forward in the 41st minute culminated to the far post where an Emiliano Insua header was batted clear by a strong left arm from Howard.
After the interval, Reina, who had earlier spilled a Bilyaletdinov effort in the incessant rain, was almost embarrassed by a long-range Pienaar effort that momentarily slipped from his grasp.
But the goalkeeper made amends when making a fine save down to his left to keep out Cahill’s header from a clipped Heitinga free-kick before getting to his feet swift enough to block Fellaini’s follow-up from point blank range.
Everton were deflated. And their – and Yobo’s – misery was made complete 10 minutes from time when, after the Nigerian miscued while attempting to clear a Dirk Kuyt header from Reina’s deep free-kick, Gerrard retrieved the ball and teed up substitute Albert Riera, whose shot was parried by Howard into the path of Kuyt to stab home.
The Everton goalkeeper then saved from Riera to prevent a third goal that would have been faintly ridiculous in the context of the game. Happy days for Benitez and Liverpool, then. Everton, meanwhile, are still awaiting their good fortune.
Daily Post
Boston-Sox
29-11-11, 11:40
ON THIS DAY IN 2009
Liverpool Echo report
THINK of the Merseyside Derby and, in a flash, any number of sporting icons should come flooding into your thoughts.
They are names that will stand the test of time, men whose achievements on the field of battle will still be referred to when this generation is long gone, but never would you have considered linking the great golfer Gary Player with this contest. Until now, that is.
You will know where this is going. Player, of course, famously declared “the harder I work, the luckier I seem to get” and that quote could have been coined for the offering Liverpool served up at a rain-sodden Goodison Park yesterday.
Had this been a boxing match, the judges would, in all probability, have given the verdict to the Blue corner, such was their dominance in round 212 of this local squabble and not many would have been able to quibble with the assessment.
Hemmed against the ropes for most of the first period and a chunk of the second, Liverpool were fortunate Everton’s main goal threat spent the first 65 minutes resting his damaged thigh on the sidelines.
If Louis Saha had passed a fitness test before kick-off, there is a chance this narrative would have been more a post-mortem, reflecting on the latest in a line of sorry results to make the landscape look bleak going into mid-winter.
Yet thanks to perseverance, diligence, hard work and a sheer ******-minded will to win, Liverpool were able to avoid being caught up in another maelstrom and, instead, got the result which just might kick-start this stuttering campaign into life once and for all.
There is no getting away from the fact Liverpool, as an attacking force, were dreadful, lacking cohesion or any sense of panache and Tim Howard, Everton’s reliable keeper, has probably never had so little to do on derby day.
Fortunately, the performances of the men at the back were a complete juxtaposition and the efforts of Jamie Carragher and Company, who provided the base to grab three precious points, standing tall when some may have expected them to cave in.
“I thought our defending as a team was very good and that is a positive for the future,” a relieved Rafa Benitez noted. “(Daniel) Agger and Carra did a very good job and we had (Javier) Mascherano and Lucas working so hard in the midfield to help the defence.”
Very true. There is no doubt Evertonians will be simmering with a sense of injustice today but there is also grounds for arguing their team got precisely what they deserved from an encounter that was played out in a terrific atmosphere – nothing.
It wasn’t Liverpool’s fault Everton had a striker – one that not long ago cost £24m – who kept wandering into offside positions or a £9.2m winger who couldn’t keep his feet when presented with a glorious chance to change the game.
What’s more, it’s hardly good fortune the Reds were able to keep their neighbours at arms length thanks to the brilliance of Pepe Reina, whose double save in the second half from Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill was the moment of a chaotic match.
Everton, simply, could not make their territorial superiority count and when you fail to take opportunities in games of such significance, there is always the danger it will come back to haunt you – Liverpudlians know that only too well.
Remember the visit of Manchester United in February 2007? Alex Ferguson’s men were battered to the point of submission but still ended up pilfering a 1-0 win; more recently, they failed to put Lyon away after dominating from start to finish.
So while they benefited from a huge slice of good fortune to take the lead after 12 minutes – Mascherano’s initial shot, if we are kind, was heading the wrong side of the post before deflecting off Joseph Yobo – there was nothing lucky about their defending.
Carragher, for one, was flawless; organising his cohorts at the back and chivvying that extra ounce of effort from them, he thundered into tackles, put his foot through bouncing balls and climbed highest for headers.
Alongside him, Agger was never in any danger of being bustled from his elegant stride, Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insua ran from first whistle to last, while Reina – whose save evoked memories of Jerzy Dudek in Istanbul – never put a glove out of place.
“You have to earn your luck,” David Moyes admitted afterwards; if that’s the case, he can have no quarrel with Liverpool’s clean sheet as, the more those defenders scampered and scurried, the less Everton threatened.
Despite winning, however, some continue to harbour grave doubts about Liverpool’s current health and after a performance that failed to see them put together a decent move of note, their minds are unlikely to be at rest.
Victory, though, was all that mattered here and while there may have been a paucity in quality, there was no disputing how much Liverpool wanted it – you only had to look at the celebrations which greeted Dirk Kuyt’s clincher and the final whistle to see that.
Everton might be enduring a similarly wretched run of form but it would have been naïve and misguided, had anyone expected them to simply roll over after a shambolic trip to Hull and back in midweek.
For one, their supporters would not have tolerated a repeat – especially against the arch enemy – and they generated a noise which was designed to help Everton’s players in any way possible; Moyes, equally, was up for the fight.
Happily for Benitez, and the pocket of Reds tucked away in the corner of the Bullens Road, so were Liverpool and there is now reason for believing this result will give the confidence that they should really have taken from flattening United on October 25.
That said, this is no time for making bold predictions; Liverpool, after all, have been so out of sorts for so long this season, that is best to simply look no further than the next game and see what that brings.
In all likelihood, another grind will be in store at Blackburn on Saturday but at least the Reds have shown they will not be fazed by the aerial bombardment Sam Allardyce is inevitably planning.
Liverpool, you see, have got their fight back – and should they continue to work so hard, it will a case of ‘when’ not ‘if’ the quality returns to provide a perfect accompaniment.
Copyright - Liverpool Echo
Final score Everton 0 – 2
(HT 0 – 1)
Liverpool
Yobo (og) 12
Kuyt 80
Bookings Heitinga 84
Everton's Percentage Liverpool's Percentage
Corners 6
60% 4
40%
Goal attempts 12
60% 8
40%
On target 6
54% 5
46%
Fouls 15
55% 12
45%
Offside 6
85% 1
15%
Everton Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, Leighton Baines, Joseph Yobo (Lucas Neill, 86), Johnny Heitinga, Sylvain Distin, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Tim Cahill (Ayegbeni Yakubu, 81), Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini, Joao Alves Jo (Louis Saha, 66)
Liverpool Jose Manuel Reina, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio (Albert Riera, 78), Emiliano Insua, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva, Dirk Kuyt, David N'Gog (Yossi Benayoun, 75)
Referee Wiley, A
Venue Goodison Park
Attendance 39,652
ON THIS DAY IN 2004
The impossible was merely delayed. Steven Gerrard is the perfect person to round off the inconceivable comeback and, when the substitute Neil Mellor directed a knock-down to him in the 86th minute there was nothing speculative about the captain's strike. He smites a ball with the force of destiny; the 20-yarder ripped into the net and Liverpool hurtled into the knock-out phase of the Champions League.
Rafael Benítez's team needed to win by two goals. Once Olympiakos had gone ahead through Rivaldo, with Monaco on course for a simple win at Deportivo La Coruña, no lesser result would do for Liverpool. Since the transformation looked unlikely for a long spell, Anfield was to vault from the fatalistic to the euphoric.
If Benítez has his way, the club will not fall to earth again. This might be one of those transcendent victories that makes a team see itself in a new light. The manager is making a small habit of these occasions. Liverpool's conviction fed on the belief already generated by Mellor's last-minute winner against Arsenal.
Here the attacker made do with edging the side 2-1 in front in the 80th minute. He had only just come on but was in position to ram the ball home once the weak goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis had palmed down an Antonio Núñez header.
If there is anything to muffle Liverpool's jubilation it must be the suspension that Gerrard incurred with a booking last night. All the same, do not expect to find anyone moping at Anfield. Given the fightback here, they will believe themselves capable of anything.
For much of the evening their deficiencies in attack were obvious and they had to tolerate having goals by Milan Baros and Gerrard chalked off for prior fouls. The referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez certainly was not caught up in the excitement of an enthralled stadium.
From the outset Gerrard was the guarantor of accurate, high-tempo attacking. It was as if he had resolved personally to deliver the level of achievement at Liverpool that will make him content to stay. Olympiakos might have been reduced to debris immediately.
They usually lay shoddy foundations in English soil and had lost all five previous European matches in this country without recording a goal. Then again Olympiakos had never come here with Rivaldo in their ranks.
The Brazilian ran sparingly but also did so with discrimination. After 27 minutes he broke away from Xabi Alonso and was halted only by Sami Hyypia's foul. The midfielder took the free-kick himself and, with Núñez breaking out of the defensive wall, his shot flew through the gap and past an unsighted Chris Kirkland.
While Liverpool had menaced with their early barrage of corners, it was the Greek set pieces that had become genuinely ominous. On the verge of half-time Jamie Carragher brought down Rivaldo but, as the crowd winced at their mass premonition, the Brazilian made a mistake.
He lay on the turf long enough for a physio to be called and then had to leave the field. In his absence Predrag Djordjevic, a less gifted understudy, fired the ball straight into Kirkland's arms.
If this was good luck, Liverpool needed the encouragement. Though Baros was back after three weeks out with a hamstring injury, he lacked support until Benítez brought on Sinama-Pongolle at the interval, at the expense of Djimi Traoré. This had the valuable side-effect of shoving Harry Kewell back to his best position, on the left flank.
He continues to underachieve but an acceptance that he prospers most when running at full-backs might be a key to recovery. Two minutes after the restart the Australian eluded Anastasios Pantos to pull back the low cross that Sinama-Pongolle turned into the net.
Liverpool's target started to look achievable then and by the end of the night nothing at all was beyond them.
Today In History
December 8th
LIVERPOOL V OLYMPIACOS
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
GROUP STAGE - MATCH 6
ANFIELD
8-12-2004
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Chris Kirkland
Jamie Carragher
Steve Finnan (Josemi Rey)
Sami Hyypia
John Arne Riise
Djimi Traore (Florent Sinama Pongolle)
Harry Kewell
Steven Gerrard
Antonio Nunez
Xabi Alonso
Milan Baros (Neil Mellor)
Won 3-1
Pongolle 47'
Mellor 80'
Gerrard 86'
Att
42,045
best goal ever ya beauty :scarf
Boston-Sox
11-12-11, 08:49
Supreme Liverpool allow Benítez to stride forward with confidence
Rafael Benítez will leave his meeting with the club owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks with a lavish new contract should he make as light of their dispute as Liverpool did their Champions League predicament here last night. So supreme and serene were Liverpool in the first of the pivotal encounters to shape their season - and their manager's future - that it is astonishing to think they ever flirted with an abrupt exit. The club's hierarchy have been given an example to follow.
The stance Benítez takes with the Liverpool co-chairmen will influence the length of his stay, but the watching Gillett cannot doubt the European pedigree of this team after this. Once again Liverpool have proved masters of rescuing a lost cause, producing the victory demanded to secure a place in the knockout stage of their favoured competition for the fourth consecutive season under Benítez, having taken only one point from the opening three games in Group A.
Their response to European danger has been as demonstrative as the club's support when the precariousness of the manager's position at Anfield became evident. In three "must-win" fixtures Liverpool have plundered 16 goals and saved their finest performance until last with Fernando Torres magnificently to the fore. El Niño breezed into port last night and Marseille were blown away.
"I have always maintained confidence that I will be the manager of Liverpool," said Benítez. "The supporters and the players are happy. That is the key."
The key to unlocking Marseille was an outstanding team performance which confirmed that Liverpool have regained their love and lust for the Champions League. The Stade Vélodrome did not fail its team, piercing the cold Mediterranean night with incessant screams and displaying the crests of all six English teams to fall here like heads on Traitors' Gate, but its team could not cope with Liverpool's power, movement and execution.
Within 11 minutes Benítez's team brutally and brilliantly made amends for their Anfield aberration when the teams met last. Here Marseille were exposed for what they are, 13th in the French league and with only one point from three Champions League games since that shock victory on Merseyside. With Steven Gerrard inspirational once again on the comeback trail and Torres simply irrepressible, Liverpool operated on a different plane.
The high-octane occasion brought adventure from Benítez's players but drew no risks from the manager, who selected the strongest XI available and dispensed with the experiments that backfired in the first game. One of those, Mohamed Sissoko, did not take kindly to being left behind and told a radio station yesterday that he would consider leaving Liverpool in the transfer window. His folly in claiming a place in this team was exposed as swiftly as gaps in the French defence.
From an inauspicious start, when Gerrard injured himself trying to collect Dirk Kuyt's weak kick-off, the Liverpool captain dispelled his own fitness fears and the tension of his team when he surged clear of a static rearguard in the third minute. Inside the area he was stopped by a strong tackle from Gaël Givet, who appeared to take the ball and the man and was aghast when the Norwegian referee, Terje Hauge, pointed to the spot. Gerrard himself drove the spot-kick straight down the centre and, even though Steve Mandanda made a firm one-handed save, the midfielder followed up to convert the rebound.
If there were doubts about the opening goal, the excellence of the second spoke for itself. Harry Kewell drifted down the left and flicked a pass inside to Torres on the corner of the penalty area. With an instant turn the Spaniard was away from one fluorescent pink shirt, ghosted inside another and then slotted a precision finish inside the far corner - a sublime goal, his 12th in Liverpool colours already this season, and a swift repayment on half of his record £26.5m transfer fee given the Champions League riches it ensured.
The personal cost to the striker was more painful. At the end of a second slalom run he appeared to take a punch to the head from Julien Rodriguez, and the other Marseille centre-half Givet then clattered through him, damaging himself.
Kewell was another to shine and his ingenuity produced a third goal minutes after the restart. Mandanda scuffed a poor clearance and again Liverpool punished. Kewell lofted a pass forward for Kuyt, who ambled clear and swept a confident shot beyond the keeper. In the final seconds the substitute Ryan Babel latched on to Fabio Aurelio's pass, touched the ball wide of Mandanda and rolled it into the empty net. This was a comfortable stroll through a time of crisis.
Match Facts
04' 0-1 Gerrard
11' 0-2 Torres
29' Carragher
41' Cana
48' 0-3 Kuyt
89' Aurelio
90' 0-4 Babel
Marseille
Steve Mandanda, Laurent Bonnart, Gael Givet (Jacques Faty), Julien Rodriguez, Taye Taiwo, Lorik Cana, Benoit Cheyrou (Samir Nasri), Matthieu Valbuena, Boudewijn Zenden (Djibril Cisse), Karim Ziani, Mamadou Niang
Liverpool
Jose Manuel Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise, Yossi Benayoun, Steven Gerrard, Harry Kewell (Fabio Aurelio), Javier Mascherano, Dirk Kuyt (Lucas Leiva), Fernando Torres (Ryan Babel)
Referee: Hauge, T
Venue: Velodrome
Attendance: 53,000
Corners:
Marseille 6
Liverpool 7
Goal Attempts:
Marseille 13
Liverpool 8
On Target:
Marseille 8
Liverpool 2
On this day in 1991
Kenny Dalglish took his side to Goodison Park for a fifth round replay,it was to be his last game in charge in his 1st spell as Liverpool's manager
Today In History
February 20th
EVERTON V LIVERPOOL
FA CUP 5TH ROUND REPLAY
GOODISON PARK
20-2-1991
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Glenn Hysen
3 David Burrows
4 Steve Nicol
5 Jan Molby
6 Gary Ablett
7 Peter Beardsley
8 Steve Staunton
9 Ian Rush
10 John Barnes
11 Barry Venison
Drew 4-4 (AET)
Beardsley 37' 71'
Rush 77'
Barnes 103'
Att
37,766
*Kenny Dalglish last game in charge as LFC Manager*
On this day in 2001
Today In History
February 25th
LIVERPOOL V BIRMINGHAM CITY
WORTHINGTON CUP FINAL
MELLENNIUM STADIUM
CARDIFF
25-2-2001
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Sander Westerveld
Jamie Carragher
Stephane Henchoz
Sami Hyypia
Markus Babbel
Vladimir Smicer (Nick Barmby)
Steven Gerrard (Gary McAllister)
Igor Biscan (Christian Ziege)
Dietmar Hamann
Emile Heskey
Robbie Fowler
Drew 1-1
Fowler 30'
Won 5-4 on Pens
McAllister
Barmby
Ziege
Fowler
Carragher
Att
73,500
Birmingham Line-Up
Ian Bennett, Nicky Eaden, Martin Grainger, Danny Sonner, Darren Purse, Michael Johnson, Jon McCarthy, Martin O'Connor, Geoff Horsfield, Dele Adebola, Stan Lazaridis
Liverpool won the Worthington Cup 5-4 on penalties:
1-0 McAllister
1-0 Grainger
2-0 Barmby
2-1 Purse
3-1 Ziege
3-2 Marcelo
3-2 Hamann
3-3 Lazaridis
4-3 Fowler
4-4 Hughes
5-4 Carragher
5-4 A. Johnson
- Jamie Carragher recalls: "People remind me about my run-up for the penalty I took in the shootout and how it must go down as the longest in history. It was sudden death but I didn’t have any nerves. I knew where I wanted to put it and thankfully it went in. My Dad missed the moment, though. He left his seat because he couldn’t watch. It had been a difficult game but we battled through and deserved it. It was my first trophy with the senior Liverpool team and it was the catalyst for us to go on and win the cup Treble. Gerard Houllier told us to remember how winning felt and urged us to use it as an inspiration. It was and we did."
BBC Clockwatch
All the action from the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff where Liverpool win the League Cup with an amazing 5-4 penalty win over Birmingham. Courtesy of BBC clockwatch.
Liverpool 1-1 Birmingham City (Liverpool win 5-4 on pens)
All the minute-by-minute action as Birmingham City and Liverpool contested the Worthington Cup Final in Cardiff.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 mins: Lazaridis gets an early run at Babbel but though he beats the German for pace, Liverpool clear the danger.
5 mins: Vladimir Smicer tries his luck from 25 yards but the effort is deflected on its way through to Ian Bennett and lacks the pace to trouble the Birmingham keeper.
8 mins: Heskey sends Smicer away down the left and the Czech international supplies the perfect cross for Fowler at the near post.
The England striker fails to make contact with his head though and Grainger clears for a corner.
13 mins: Liverpool put together their first flowing move of the game but it ends with a disappointing deep cross from Biscan.
14 mins: A Grainger free-kick from 35 yards is blocked into the path of Horsfield but his effort is quickly closed down by Henchoz.
15 mins: Liverpool almost catch Birmingham on the break. Gerrard's run is halted by a trip by O'Connor but the Birmingham skipper is fortunate that the offside flag has already been raised, albeit incorrectly.
18 mins: A fine surging run by Babbel is ended by a tackle from Johnson.
19 mins: Smicer's half-volley from the edge of the area is deflected over for a corner.
21 mins: Horsfield turns away from Henchoz and delivers a menacing deep cross but Biscan clears from McCarthy.
28 mins: Sustained Birmingham pressure forces a weak punch from Westerveld. Sonner turns the ball back into the area but McCarthy's effort is straight at the keeper.
30 mins: Westerveld's long clearance is flicked-on by Heskey and Fowler unleashes an unstoppable shot from 25 yards that catches Bennett off his line to put Liverpool ahead. Liverpool 1-0 Birmingham
41 mins: Another Smicer effort from the edge of the area is deflected behind for a corner.
43 mins: Henchoz's long ball forward is flicked on by Heskey but Smicer puts his effort wide as Bennett advances.
45 mins: Adebola shoots from 35 yards but though the effort is well struck it is still a comfortable save for Westerveld.
46 mins: Birmingham introduce Andy Johnson in place of Dele Adebola.
46 mins: Eaden and McCarthy combine well to present Andy Johnson with a great opportunity at the near post but the young striker can not turn the ball in.
48 mins: A fine Liverpool moves sees Babbel tee up a chance for Fowler but Purse throws himself in the way of the shot.
52 mins: A sharp looking Fowler turns and fires into the side-netting.
55 mins: Referee Elleray lectures both Sonner and Biscan after an altercation between the two.
57 mins: Smicer evades the Birmingham offside trap and squares the ball to Heskey but his effort is well off target.
58 mins: Eaden's right-wing cross is glanced on by Horsfield but Babbel just holds off Lazaridis at the far post.
59 mins: A great ball from Fowler lets in Smicer but Bennett is out quickly to narrow the angle and block the shot.
61 mins: Lazaridis' deep cross gives Westerveld an anxious moment, not for the first time.
64 mins: Bennett weakly punches away a Gerrard cross but as Hamann turns the ball back in the keeper does just enough to force Fowler to take his eye off the ball at the far post.
70 mins: Bryan Hughes replaces Danny Sonner for Birmingham.
72 mins: Westerveld and Purse are lectured after the pair clash following a challenge for a high ball.
75 mins: Hamann's surging run forward is halted by an excellent tackle from Michael Johnson on the edge of his own area.
76 mins: Gary McAllister replaces Steven Gerrard.
80 mins: Purse plants an unmarked header from a corner over the bar. Marcelo replaces Geoff Horsfield in the Birmingham attack.
83 mins: Nick Barmby replaces Vladimir Smicer.
83 mins: Heskey creates a great chance for Fowler while Purse lays injured, but this time Fowler blazes off target.
85 mins: Purse returns to the action, although clearly struggling, but Birmingham have used all their substitutes.
90 mins: Barmby leads a Liverpool break but Fowler can not find the target.
90 mins: Two-and-a-half minutes into stoppage time Martin O'Connor is brought down by Henchoz in the area and referee Elleray points to the spot.
O'Connor is strechered off leaving Purse to plant his penalty into the corner of the net past Westerveld. Liverpool 1-1 Birmingham
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extra-time
91 mins: O'Connor hobbles back into the action for extra-time and Johnson fires just wide in the early stages.
93 mins: McCarthy shoots well wide, but Birmingham make a bright start to the first period of extra-time.
94 mins: McCarthy supplies a great low cross to the near post and Hughes arrives perfectly to meet it but can't find the target.
96 mins: Christian Ziege replaces Igor Biscan.
99 mins: Hughes almost beats Westerveld with a shot from 30 yards but the Dutch keeper fingertips the ball away for a corner.
102 mins: Liverpool's first sight of goal in extra-time see McAllister place a free-kick straight at Bennett.
104 mins: Johnson is bundled over in the area by Henchoz but to the amazement of everyone connected with Birmingham referee Elleray does not award a penalty.
107 mins: Marcelo tries his luck from 25 yards and is only just off target as Birmingham continue to dominate.
108 mins: Hamann is shown the yellow card for a foul on Lazaridis.
109 mins: Henchoz is booked for a blatant obstruction on Lazaridis.
111 mins: Michael Johnson intercepts Ziege's pass to Fowler but when the ball is turned back in Fowler directs a header goalwards that Bennett pushes away.
113 mins: Hyypia meets a Ziege free-kick with a downward header but it lacks the pace to beat Bennett.
116 mins: Hamann blasts a shot against Bennett's left post from 25 yards.
120 mins: Full-time after extra-time and the Worthington Cup goes into a penalty shootout. Liverpool to take the first penalty.
ON THIS DAY IN 2009
Today In History
February 25th
REAL MADRID V LIVERPOOL
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
1ST KO ROUND 1ST LEG
SANTIAGO BERNABEU
25-2-2009
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Jose Reina
Fabio Aurelio
Alvaro Arbeloa
Jamie Carragher
Martin Skrtel
Albert Riera (Steven Gerrard)
Yossi Benayoun
Xabi Alonso
Javier Mascherano
Fernando Torres (Ryan Babel)
Dirk Kuyt (Lucas Leiva)
Won 1-0
Benayoun 82'
Att
85,000
Real Madrid Line-Up
Iker Casillas, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Fabio Cannavaro, Marcelo, Gabriel Heinze, Fernando Gago, Lassana Diarra, Raúl, Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuaín
Liverpool Echo match report
FIRST it was the Nou Camp, then the San Siro and now even the mighty Bernabeu has fallen to Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool.
Three cathedrals of European football, three of the toughest places for any team to win and yet all of them have found to their cost that when it comes to continental conquest the Spanish manager has few peers.
That’s the very same Benitez who spent most of yesterday trying to avoid having to answer ridiculous questions about his future following what can only be described as a disgusting and poisonous whispering campaign.
The build-up to Liverpool’s match with Real should have been dominated by talk of two of Europe’s genuine super powers finally going head to head in a two-legged affair.
It should have featured no little conversation about whether Steven Gerrard would be fit to take on the La Liga giants and how Fernando Torres would figure in a stadium where he has never scored.
Instead, the plazas of Madrid jangled to the sound of unsubstantiated rumour as mobile phones buzzed with text messages from home carrying “news” that the Liverpool manager’s days were numbered because a bookmaker had decided to suspend betting on his future.
Even by Liverpool’s recent standards, such mutterings marked a new low and provided proof if it were needed that cavernous divisions within the club are now being exploited by any scaremonger with an overactive imagination and mischief on their mind.
Make no mistake about it, the Anfield club’s name has been dragged through the gutter in the last 24 hours with wild and often scurrilous speculation suggesting that youth team players, first teamers and even club legends had all revealed that Benitez was on his way out.
This is what Liverpool have come to, but the most worrying aspect of all is that there could still be worse to come because there are no signs of divisions being healed, no indication that anyone in the club’s hierarchy has the inclination to lead the club out of one of the most troubled periods in its history.
Surely now enough is enough and the time has come for messrs Hicks, Gillett, Parry and Benitez to sort out their problems once and for all before the club is derailed altogether.
Somehow, the Liverpool team – that’s the players who the supporters pay to watch and who should be the only topic of conversation – managed to rise above the rancour and produce a performance which will rank alongside any in the Reds’ magnificent European history.
As was the case when Benitez’s side outmanoeuvred and out thought Inter Milan last season, they will today be damned with faint praise.
The prevailing school of thought in some quarters will be that Real failed to deliver when it mattered most after their imperious domestic form had made them favourites to reach the last eight in the eyes of many.
It is an argument which should not be dismissed because the nine times European champions did not perform like a side which had set pulses racing by notching up a 6-1 lead by half time in its most recent fixture.
But the overriding factor in this monumental win is that Liverpool triumphed because they possess the ability, belief, character and perhaps most importantly the know how to craft victory in any European venue.
Their superiority over Real was so complete that apart from a tricky opening 20 minute spell they dominated proceedings to such an extent that Pepe Reina was only ever forced to make one meaningful save all night.
Much of the credit for that must go to the outstanding Jamie Carragher whose reading of the game rendered Raul – the Champions League’s leading goalscorer no less – an increasingly marginal figure as the game wore on.
Liverpool were better individually and they were better as a team and with the tactical battle being won so convincingly by Benitez the only surprise was that it took until the 81st minute before their superiority was reflected in the scoreline.
Torres and Xabi Alonso had come closest to breaking the deadlock before Yossi Benayoun rose in the box to power home a majestic header from Fabio Aurelio’s pinpoint free kick.
The wonderfully noisy fans in the away end erupted into scenes of uncontained joy as the doubts and disturbances of the previous 24 hours were shaken off in one glorious moment.
How the players had again managed to again shake off the distractions that always seem to plague the club on a match day is a question only they can answer.
But the fact that they are having to do it at all is a disgrace and it is to their eternal credit that the talking they did on the pitch at the Bernabeu ended up drowning out the chattering and mischief making off it.
The professionalism of every player in a red shirt shone like a beacon and it is worth pondering what Liverpool could achieve if such standards were reached and maintained in other parts of the club. Vultures like nothing more than easy meat and Liverpool fit that bill to a tee at present.
Having taken a giant step towards reaching the quarter finals of the European Cup for the fourth time in five seasons today should be a day for celebration for anyone with Liverpool’s best interests at heart.
So the fact that the joy has been tainted with more than a little pain should shame those who are failing the club so badly. Beating Real Madrid away from home is a wonderful result and if the Reds can complete the job at Anfield in two weeks time it will be a magnificent achievement.
But whether they get through to the quarter finals or not the sad fact is that their biggest battle may not be with their rival super powers – it could be with themselves.
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze, Gago, Diarra, Marcelo (Guti, 46), Robben, Higuain, Raul.
LIVERPOOL Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt (Lucas,(90), Benayoun, Riera (Gerrard, 87), Torres (Babel, 61).REFEREE: Roberto Rosetti.REFEREE: Roberto Rosetti.
Copyright - Liverpool Echo
ON THIS DAY IN 2010
Today In History
February 25th
FC UNIREA URZICENI V LIVERPOOL FC
EUROPA LEAGUE LAST 32 2ED LEG
STEAUA STADIUM
25-2-2010
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Jose Reina
Jamie Carragher (Martin Kelly)
Martin Skrtel (Sotirios Kyrgiakos)
Daniel Agger
Emiliano Insua
Lucas Leiva
Javier Mascherano
Ryan Babel
Yossi Benayoun (Fabio Aurellio)
Steven Gerrard
David Ngog
Won 3-1
Mascherano 29'
Babel 40'
Gerrard 57'
Att
25,000
FC UNIREA URZICENI LINE-UPGiedrius Arlauskis, George Daniel Galamaz, Bruno Fernandes, Valeriu Bordeanu, Vasile Maftei, Ion Paraschiv, Razvan Paduretu, Sorin Frunza, Iulian Apostol, Marius Bilasco, Daniel Onofras
Goal
Bruno Fernandes 19'
- Daniel Agger's 100th game for Liverpool.
- Steven Gerrard scores his 33rd European goal and surpasses Alan Shearer to become England’s all-time leading scorer in European competitions.
- Martin Skrtel breaks his metatarsal and is out for the season
Dominic King’s Echo report
THRILLS, spills, a record for the skipper and a resounding win away from home – is this the sign that, at long last, normal service is about to resume?
On the first anniversary of one of the most famous European nights in their history, that unforgettable victory against Real Madrid, Liverpool really had no other option but to try and mark it in style.
While it would be wrong to suggest this 3-1 success against Unirea Urziceni will live as long in the memory as the one Yossi Benayoun’s header secured in the Bernabeu, there is no disputing it was just as well received.
Having at one stage looked as if they might fall flat on their faces, the Reds rediscovered some of their verve, counter-attacking with the menace Rafa Benitez had predicted to secure a place in the Europa League’s last 16.
Rifling in three goals for the first time in a match since September 26 was one thing, that Steven Gerrard managed to move clear on his own at the top of Britain’s all-time European scorers’ list was a significant other.
When teams have struggled to be creative and laboured for as long as Liverpool have done, sometimes it needs a game like this to set the wheels in motion once again and Benitez will certainly be hoping that is the case.
With conditions underfoot hardly conducive to slick passing – clerks of racecourses would surely have described the going as heavy with bottomless patches – Liverpool, from the first whistle, did their best to move the ball on the floor with purpose.
Never more was that apparent than after three minutes, when Lucas threaded an inch-perfect delivery into Steven Gerrard’s feet and, quick as flash, the captain unleashed a drive that Giedrius Arlauskis did well to beat away. He would get his reward later.
Yet long before that, it appeared that a night to rival the ones experienced against Lyon, Fiorentina and Reading would materialise, as Unirea – backed by a noisy home crowd – poked their noses in front, setting nerves jangling in the process.
Daniel Agger had done well to dispossess Marius Onofras but he only succeeded in giving away a corner. How costly it proved. From Razvan Paduretu’s ensuing corner, Bruno Fernandes rose highest to power a header past the stranded Pepe Reina.
For more than a moment, it seemed as if the nightmare scenario of yet another early exit would become reality; every corner Unirea hurled in caused palpitations and uncertainty and one shudders to think what would have happened had the hosts gone ahead on aggregate in the tie.
Thankfully, that grim prospect was averted; Jamie Carragher’s deep right-wing cross was headed back by Gerrard, the ball was half cleared and there, waiting gleefully on the edge of the box, was Javier Mascherano.
Many might have anticipated the Argentine’s shot either being screwed wide or hoisted high over the bar, but his strike was sweet and true and the ball sped past Arlauskis to settle any lingering nerves. It was, in some ways, fitting that Mascherano came to the fore just when it was needed; his performances during the past two months have been outstanding, his commitment absolute and his energy infectious – the longer he continues in such a vein, the better.
That howitzer took some of the wind out of Unirea’s sails and, though, to their credit, they tried to rally, Liverpool were able to kill the tie off when Gerrard’s deep free-kick was instantly controlled by Ryan Babel. The finish he produced was even better.
Love him or loathe him, it has clearly been difficult for Babel to find any kind of consistency as this was the first time during the current campaign that Benitez has felt compelled to hand him back-to-back starts. There is, of course, plenty of evidence to suggest Benitez’s tough stance has been correct, as other fleeting glimpses of talent when coming on as a substitute, Babel has merely flattered to deceive.
Good cameos – such as his lively 27 minutes in the first leg – have been followed by starts when he has been anonymous, as was the case in Sunday’s dreadful spectacle at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Here, though, was Benitez finally giving Babel a nudge of encouragement, a chance to eradicate disappointing episodes such as his Twitter outburst and show he can fulfil his World Cup dream by playing a part in Liverpool’s charge to the season’s end.
That exquisite piece of skill showed exactly what he is capable of.
We can only hope for more of the same from now – sentiments which apply to the team.
Unirea refused to roll over but Liverpool put the gloss on matters midway through the second period when Benayoun, released by Lucas, scurried into the danger zone.
Waiting to take over, inevitably, was Gerrard and his history-making strike had too much power for Arlauskis.
He barely raised his arm in celebration but, had he chosen to, few would have begrudged him.
In surpassing Alan Shearer’s previous best of 32, Gerrard etched another significant entry into his remarkable career. For a man who has operated primarily as a midfielder, 33 goals in Europe is, quite frankly, a stunning achievement.
And who knows? He might yet add a few more before the campaign is out.
He will get two more chances at least in the last 16 and, if Liverpool start to click, further chances to profit will await in the spring.
Should one arrive in Hamburg, so much the better; it would be folly to predict Liverpool are now going to go on and win the Europa League but this was a small step in the right direction.
If there was one negative it was the sight of defender Martin Skrtel leaving the stadium on crutches with a suspected broken foot, but Benitez will surely focus on the positives.
Now it is back to Premier League business and Liverpool have two winnable fixtures to complete before they are next on their travels. Take six points from Blackburn and Wigan and things will really start to take shape.
UNIREA URZICENI (4-1-4-1): Arlauskis; Maftei, Galamaz (Mehmedovic 28), Bruno Fernandes, Bordeanu; Paduretu, Paraschiv (Vilana 56), Apostol; Onofrej (Semedo 62), Bilasco, Frunze.
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Reina; Carragher (Kelly 61), Agger, Skrtel (Kyrgiakos 66), Insua; Lucas, Mascherano; Benayoun (Aurelio 77), Gerrard, Babel; Ngog.
Goals – Bruno Fernandes (19), Mascherano (30), Babel (40), Gerrard (57)
Bookings – Babel (20), Bruno Fernandes (23), Onofras (28), Apostol (31), Arlauskis (54), Mascherano (61). Referee – Stefan Johannesson (Sweden)
Copyright - Liverpool Echo
From this day in 1997
Liverpool 4 Newcastle United 3
Who said lightning never strikes the same place twice? Robbie Fowler soared like a hawk in the second minute of injury time to give Liverpool a dramatic 4-3 win over rivals Newcastle.
That is exactly how it finished 11 months ago but though this seven-goal thriller was a very different affair, its importance will be just as crucial as Roy Evans' men race onto the heels of leaders Manchester United, just a point behind.
For the Geordies, defeat spells the end of their own title dreams, a fifth away defeat leaving them nine points adrift. But for manager Kenny Dalglish this was an emotional return to his old stamping ground which plumbed depths and the heights, but ended in almost disbelief.
He suffered the greatest insult of his a managerial life when a Newcastle fan threw his black and white shirt in his face in disgust as his side seemed to throw away their chance in an abject first half. But he finished looking for a well-deserved grovelling apology after his side battled back to 3-3 with goals from Faustino Asprilla and Warren Barton in the last three minutes.
That should have been it, but then Stig Bjornebye raced down the left and pumped a high ball into the middle. Little Fowler outjumped everyone to steer his second goal of the game past a stunned Shaka Hislop and history had repeated itself. To be fair, it was probably Liverpool boss Roy Evans who ended the game feeling like throwing himself in the Mersey.
He said he would settle for a repeat of last April's scoreline but will have nightmares about the cavalier way Liverpool sacrificed a winning lead. The Newcastle fan had it right as his side produced the most abject 75 minutes anyone can remember.
Dalglish has never won at Anfield as a visiting manager, but he took Liverpool to three championships, and this was ground on which he completed Blackburn's revival with the league crown in 1995. But a heavy first-half humiliation - initiated by the current possessor of his famous number seven shirt, Steve McManaman - was too much too bear for the Geordies who believed they were witnessing more than just the end of their own title dream.
Their side's craven surrender also marked the internment of the last vestiges of the romance and bravado the original Merseyside icon Kevin Keegan brought to the game. A year ago he brought a side brimming with attacking instinct and excitement to fully contribute to the game of the season. This time his pragmatic successor took a *****rdly view, lining up with a miserly 4-5-1 in the absence of Alan Shearer and with Les Ferdinand still not fully fit.
Such pessimism invited punishment and when McManaman and Patrik Berger scored in the space of 70 seconds midway through the first half, followed by Robbie Fowler's 24th, the £60million pre-season favourites looked dead and buried. The visitor ripped off a shirt no fans wear with greater pride, jumped over the barrier at the Anfield end, ran down the touchline and flung it with immense symbolism at Dalglish.
There was worse to come, a half-time gamble on Ferdinand which badly misfired when the England striker limped back to the treatment room after just 11 minutes and the sight of yet another Liverpool favourite, Peter Beardsley, made the scapegoat by Dalglish.
Like Blackburn, Newcastle have become a club too heavily dependent on Shearer and suffer in his absence, there is clearly dressing room dissent, articulated by unsettled Frenchman David Ginola, and they showed a defeatist attitude that was unprecedented in Keegan's reign. Not until the ever-eager Keith Gillespie conjured a goal out of nothing in the 70th minute did they rediscover the pride and passion.
Then Asprilla punished Redknapp's mistake to lob in an improbable second in the 87th minute and mission impossible was completed a minute later when Barton bundled over after the ball broke loose from the Colombian's challenge on a shell-shocked David James.
Liverpool 4 - 3 Newcastle United
Game date: 10.03.1997 Stadium: Anfield
Competition: Premier League Attendance: 40,751
Referee: Elleray DR
Starting lineup
1 David James
3 Bjørn Tore Kvarme
5 Mark Wright
20 Stig Inge Bjørnebye
21 Dominic Matteo
4 Jason McAteer
7 Steve McManaman
10 John Barnes
11 Jamie Redknapp
9 Robbie Fowler
15 Patrik Berger
Subs
13 Tony Warner
12 Steve Harkness
14 Neil Ruddock
19 Mark Kennedy
8 Stan Collymore
Goals
Steve McManaman 29'
Patrik Berger 30'
Robbie Fowler 42'
Robbie Fowler 90'
Newcastle United lineup
Shaka Hislop, Steve Watson, Stuart Elliott, David Batty, Darren Peacock, Philippe Albert, Keith Gillespie, Peter Beardsley, Faustino Asprilla, Lee Clark, Warren Barton
Newcastle United goals
Keith Gillespie 71'
Faustino Asprilla 87'
Warren Barton 88'
From this day in 2009
Liverpool 4 Real Madrid 0
Awe at an overwhelming victory is matched only by disbelief that Real Madrid could be so humiliated. The visitors' sole hope of explaining themselves will lie in babbling about the authority that wells up in Liverpool whenever they skip happily into this tournament. It can seem as if they don a new identity after escaping the tribulations on the domestic front.
In the Champions League the blend of continental outlook and British gusto seems perfect. Juande Ramos' team were made to look a horrible concoction. Had it not been for the fact that he inherited a crisis when appointed in mid-season, the former Tottenham manager would fear dismissal today. The weakness of Real verged on the unfathomable.
Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to the World Cup and was world player of the year in 2006, had to be taken off for his own good. Ramos switched to a 3-4-3 system thereafter but he would have needed to sneak batch of additional footballers on to the field if Liverpool were to be made uncomfortable.
Real came with dread in their hearts and were numb long before the substitute Andrea Dossena converted Javier Mascherano's low cross in the 88th minute. Mascherano had been cautioned earlier for kicking the ball away and is now to be suspended for the first leg of the quarter-final but little else went wrong.
The single subject for debate was whether Real can be treated as a true measure of Liverpool's quality. Rafael Benítez will expect a more daunting examination at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday but nobody could deny the impact last night. The home side had never been in doubt about the stance they would take following a 1-0 win in the away leg.
Liverpool were free of any dilemma, although outsiders would have debated whether it was folly to take risks by committing themselves to attack when they could afford to be prudent. The result at the Bernabeu had made themselves certain of finishing off a team they knew to be vulnerable. This was an assertiveness not normally associated with Benítez but the manager had made no mistake in diagnosing incompetence in the Real ranks.
Early as the opener from the inspired Fernando Torres was, it still felt overdue. There was no sign that he was hampered by the twisted ankle that had made him a doubt. All the aches were felt by the centre-backs Pepe and Cannavaro. Both were despondent by the time Jamie Carragher hoisted the ball downfield in the 16th minute for Torres to assume control as he found Dirk Kuyt on the right and hit the return pass beyond Iker Casillas.
It was telling that Benítez had insisted on Monday that he should be given more credit for the team's achievements in this competition. He must have known Real could never embarrass him. The ineptness of the visitors explains why they have been knocked out at this stage of the competition for five consecutive seasons.
Liverpool's 2-0 lead at half-time was fully deserved, regardless of the injustice at the second goal. The referee's assistant indicated a penalty when Xabi Alonso's pass bounced off the chest of Alvaro Arbeloa and on to the shoulder of Gabriel Heinze, even if the left-back had stretched out an arm. The indignation of the Argentinian brought a caution and merely delayed the penalty that Gerrard converted by sending Casillas the wrong way in the 28th minute.
There had been several openings for Liverpool before that. As early as the fourth minute Torres had dragged the ball away from Pepe exquisitely as he turned to glide through and test Casillas. Soon there was even a drive from the defensive midfielder Mascherano that had to be tipped over the bar. There was an eventual reaction from Real and Pepe Reina was compelled to deal with Wesley Sneijder's effort from a Heinze cut-back.
Everything was designed to please the crowd, including Real's replacement of the former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben. There had been as much adventure as organisation from the home team. Gerrard grew uncontainable and, in the 47th minute, half-volleyed a third goal after Ryan Babel had turned the Real defence on the left. The consistent impact Benítez's side has enjoyed in this competition has lasting benefits in the assurance that settles upon them on evenings such as this.
The manager could afford to rest Gerrard by bringing on the 20-year-old Jay Spearing. Real ought to wince at being deemed suitable opponents against whom a youngster can further his education. Then again, so many indignities were inflicted on a proud club that they would have been too dazed even to register the introduction of the winger.
Liverpool now await the quarter-final draw which takes place a week on Friday. There is both masterfulness and verve in their Champions League showings. It may well be they cannot encounter future opponents who will be as bad as Real were but it is also true that few clubs exploit frailty in this tournament as Liverpool can.
Corners 8 57% 6 43%
Goal attempts 15 50% 15 50%
On target 12 80% 3 20%
Fouls 26 63% 15 37%
Offside 5 71% 2 29%
Liverpool Jose Manuel Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso (Lucas Leiva, 60), Steven Gerrard (Jay Spearing, 73), Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel, Fernando Torres (Andrea Dossena, 84)
Real Madrid Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gabriel Heinze, Kepler Pepe, Fabio Cannavaro (Rafael van der Vaart, 64), Lassana Diarra, L, Wesley Sneijder, Fernando Ruben Gago (Jose Maria Guti, 77), Gonzalo Higuain, Gonzalez Raul, Arjen Robben (Junior Marcelo, 46)
Referee De Bleeckere, F
Venue Anfield
Attendance 42,550
This is Anfield – so what?”
Fernando Torres scores against Real Madrid
IF Real Madrid didn’t know it before, they are now all too painfully aware of what a European night at Anfield is all about.
“This is Anfield – so what?” was the clarion call of Spanish newspaper and unofficial Real mouthpiece Marca on the morning of yesterday’s game.
Four unanswered goals in a red tidal wave of a performance that washed Europe’s most decorated club aside has surely ensured that such sneering questions will never be posed again.
Real were not just beaten, they were pummelled into submission by a Liverpool side which grabbed their illustrious opponents by the scruff of the neck and never let go until all signs of life had been squeezed out of them.
Rafa Benitez may justifiably feel that his team’s exploits in Europe are never given the credit they so richly deserve, but who needs the respect of critics when you can have results like this?
This might not have been the Madrid of Puskas and di Stefano and Juande Ramos’ team may well have been a pale shadow of the famous Galacticos who played football from an another planet earlier this decade, but as their recent league form underlines, they are no mugs either.
The fact that they were made to look like they were says everything about a Liverpool performance which will live long in the memory of all who were fortunate enough to witness it. From the very first blast of Frank de Bleeckere’s whistle to the very last, every man jack in a red shirt played as if possessed by a burning desire to be on the winning side in this battle of two of Europe’s real giants.
Fernando Torres set the tone as he set about familiar foes with all the relish and desire one would expect of someone who made his name with Real’s city rivals. It was as if the white shirts of Real served as a red rag to this Spanish bull and in the first half hour in particular Torres was simply unplayable as he tore Fabio Cannavaro and Pepe apart with a combination of a prodigious workrate and flashes of phenomenal skill.
At the end of this breathtaking spell, Liverpool were two goals to the good as Torres took advantage of his own pulverising of the Real backline before Steven Gerrard added a second from the penalty spot after Gabriel Heinze was harshly adjudged to have handled.
Real felt hard done by over that decision, they could have no complaints about the scoreline as had it not been for a string of superlative interventions by Iker Casillas they would have been even further behind.
It is at such desperate moments that Real traditionally hope for the intervention of Juanito, their very own patron saint of lost causes, but there was nothing he nor anyone else could do to rescue them this time as the ferocious tempo Liverpool were setting made it impossible for Juande Ramos’ side to even get a foothold in the game - never mind turn it around.
The former Spurs boss must have winced as the action unfolded in front of him. Having insisted that he had not been out thought by Rafa Benitez in the first leg he will have been well aware that no such arguments could be proffered after the second.
This was not the tactical battle so many had expected, it was a tactical mis-match with Benitez outmanoeuvering his opposite number with contemptuous ease.
If the battle plan was down to the Reds boss, it was executed with ruthless efficiency by his players who did not rest on their laurels even when a three goal aggregate lead had been established.
Any ideas that Liverpool would sit back on their half-time advantage were immediately dismissed shortly after the re-start when Gerrard marked his 100th European appearance with a goal to fit such a landmark occasion.
Arriving in the box with typically perfect timing, the Reds skipper made the most of Ryan Babel’s perfect delivery by dispatching a sumptuous half volley past the powerless Casillas. That techically perfect strike brought the world’s richest club to its knees and the vociferously passionate Anfield crowd to its feet, a wonderfully iconic moment on a wonderful night.
Imperiously brushing footballing royalty aside was not enough for Liverpool though and the hunger which had put them in such a commanding position did not diminish even with the game and the tie well and truly in the bag.
Part of the reason for their insatiable appetite was the introduction of a trio of substitutes who all had something to prove for one reason or another. Andrea Dossena, Lucas and in particular Jay Spearing all entered the fray and brought something to a party which showed no sign of letting up. Dossena’s night was made memorable by his first goal in a red shirt as the Italian made the most of Javier Mascherano’s unstinting perseverance to score Liverpool’s fourth.
But it was local lad Spearing who had the home fans chanting his name as he showed no fear of reputations to produce a memorable cameo which will give him the belief that he can make an impression on the first team after being a stalwart at reserve level for so long.
Like the rest of the team mates, the diminutive midfielder can now look forward to next week’s draw for the quarter finals of the Champions League in the knowledge that Liverpool will again be one of the teams that most others will be desperate to avoid. They are not just surviving in the European elite under Benitez, they are positively flourishing in it and it is high time that their prowess in continental combat was lauded in the way it should be.
Far too often Liverpool are begrudgingly described as a good European outfit, as if the Champions League is some sort of consolation prize for those who cannot hack it in the cut and thrust of domestic action.
Admittedly, the Reds’ failure to perform as well in the Premier League as they do in the Champions League is a disappointment. But when clubs of the calibre of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus are so regularly overcome, their European exploits could hardly be a cause for complaint.
There is something very special about Liverpool in Europe and in the not too distant future supporters will look back on nights like last night as among the most glorious and memorable they have ever experienced. For everyone else, it brought yet another reminder of how potent the combination of Benitez’s Liverpool and their Anfield home are on a European night.
Long may it continue.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Mascherano, Alonso (Lucas, 60), Babel, Gerrard (Spearing, 73), Torres (Dossena, 83).
REAL MADRID: Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro (Van der Vaart, 63), Heinze, Gago (Guti, 77), Diarra, Sneijder, Robben (Marcelo, 46), Higuain, Raul.
REFEREE: Frank de Bleeckere (Belgium).
ATTENDANCE: 42,550
Copyright - Liverpool Echo
Today in 1982
Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Game date: 13.03.1982 Stadium: Wembley
Competition: League Cup Final Attendance: 100,000
Today In History
March 13th
LIVERPOOL V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
LEAGUE MILK CUP FINAL
WEMBLEY STADIUM
13-3-1982
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Phil Neal
3 Alan Kennedy
4 Phil Thompson
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Mark Lawrenson
7 Kenny Dalglish
8 Sammy Lee
9 Ian Rush
10 Terry McDermott (David Johnson)
11 Graeme Souness
Won 3-1 (AET)
Whelan 87' 111'
Rush 119'
Att
100,000
Tottenham Line-up
Ray Clemence, Chris Hughton, Paul Miller, Graham Roberts, Mike Hazard, Steve Perryman, Ossie Ardiles, Steve Archibald, Tony Galvin, Glenn Hoddle, Garth Crooks
Tottenham Line-Up
Steve Archibald 11'
Tottenham Sub
Mike Hazard out for Ricky Villa
"The Spurs fans were already toasting their victory when Ronnie Whelan popped up and whipped his goal in to equalize in the dying seconds. It took a good player to do that because Ray Clemence was still a great goalkeeper, he’d kept Spurs in the game.
Paisley would not let us sit down before extra time started. He was bellowing: ‘Get up off your feet, don’t them let them see you are tired.’ It stemmed from Shankly, who would never let an opponent see that you were weak. After that, we felt we had it in the bag." - Phil Neal.
- Ronnie Whelan recalls: "I couldn’t sleep the night before but I remember saying afterwards that I had dreamt I would score the winner — there must have been some Irish logic in that! It was my first trip to Wembley and a massive test. Tottenham had a great side with players like Glenn Hoddle, Micky Hazard and Ossie Ardiles. They looked like they had the game won until I squeezed a shot past Ray Clemence towards the end and we got stronger in extra time. I was so over the moon after getting my second that I ran over the running track to celebrate with our fans. Only when I got there did I realise it was such a long way back to the pitch and I was so tired that I barely made it. It was a magical day, and special as it was my first major medal.
On this day in 2009
Manchester United 1 - 4 Liverpool
Game date: 14.03.2009 Stadium: Old Trafford
Competition: Premier League Attendance: 75,569
Referee: Wiley AG
Starting lineup
25 Jose Reina
4 Sami Hyypia
12 Fábio Aurélio
23 Jamie Carragher
37 Martin Skrtel
8 Steven Gerrard
11 Albert Riera
20 Javier Mascherano
21 Lucas Leiva
9 Fernando Torres
18 Dirk Kuyt
Subs
1 Diego Cavalieri
2 Andrea Dossena
17 Álvaro Arbeloa
22 Emiliano Insúa
19 Ryan Babel
24 David N'Gog
31 Nabil El Zhar
Goals
Fernando Torres 28'
Steven Gerrard 44' pen
Fábio Aurélio 77'
Andrea Dossena 90'
Substitutions
Albert Riera out for Andrea Dossena 68'
Fernando Torres out for Ryan Babel 80'
Steven Gerrard out for Nabil El Zhar 90'
Manchester United lineup
Edwin van der Sar, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, John O'Shea, Ji-Sung Park, Michael Carrick, Anderson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez
Manchester United goals
Cristiano Ronaldo 23'
Manchester United substitutions
Ji-Sung Park out for Ryan Giggs 74'
Michael Carrick out for Paul Scholes 74'
Anderson out for Dimitar Berbatov 74'
Liverpool revived their ambitions of claiming the Premier League title in remarkable fashion as they humiliated champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked on course to stretch their advantage at the top of the table when Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty gave them an early lead after Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina fouled Ji-Sung Park.
But Fernando Torres hounded Nemanja Vidic into a mistake eight minutes later and raced through to coolly beat Edwin van der Sar.
And the transformation was complete a minute before the interval when Steven Gerrard scored from the spot after he had been upended by Patrice Evra.
United's day of misery was summed up 15 minutes from time when Vidic, who had a nightmare afternoon at the hands of Torres, was sent off for fouling Gerrard and Fabio Aurelio brilliantly curled home the resulting free-kick from 25 yards.
The torment for United stretching into stoppage time when Liverpool substitute Andrea Dossena lobbed a composed finish over Van der Sar after being allowed to race unchallenged on to Reina's goal-kick.
United remain firm favourites to claim the Premier League, with a four-point advantage and a game in hand, but if Liverpool needed any incentive to continue to carry the fight to United, the impressive manner of this performance will have provided it.
It has been a dream week for Rafael Benitez's side, with both Real Madrid and United put to the sword with four-goal performances.
Liverpool, once they found their feet, were the brighter and more creative side - with the magnificent Torres the spearhead, ably assisted by Gerrard.
The Premier League leaders, in contrast, were lifeless in all areas. They were unsettled at the back and toothless up front with Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney unable to make their presence felt.
United must now bounce back from a defeat that was unexpected, both in style and scoreline, while Liverpool will move forward with renewed optimism that they can still over-turn the odds and catch the pace-setters.
Liverpool had already lost influential midfield man Xabi Alonso to a calf problem when their difficulties increased in the warm-up, Alavaro Arbeloa injuring a hamstring with Sami Hyypia coming into the side, though the veteran gave an outstanding performance.
Benitez's revamped side struggled to settle early on, and it took a trademark block from Jamie Carragher to deny the industrious Park.
Torres posted the warning signals for United with a turn inside the area that needed Vidic to clear.
Vidic was sent off to complete a miserable match for the Serbian
But it was United who took the lead after 23 minutes when Liverpool were punished for a rush of blood from keeper Reina, who dashed from his line and brought down Park when there appeared to be no imminent danger, Ronaldo completing the formalities from the spot.
If United thought the setback would break Liverpool's resolve, they were to be sadly mistaken as Torres produced a golden spell that had them in front before the interval.
He levelled after 28 minutes with an example of all the qualities that make him arguably the world's finest striker.
Martin Skrtel's long clearance was speculative at best, but Torres' presence created uncertainty.
Vidic let the ball bounce and Torres showed lightning speed to touch the ball away from the defender and steer a composed finish beyond Van der Sar.
Torres then planted further seeds of doubt in Vidic's mind with an arrogant nutmeg on the defender, followed by respectable penalty claims when he collided with the Serb.
There had been few flashpoints, but there was a swift exchange of bookings after Liverpool's Carragher tripped Carlos Tevez and Rio Ferdinand fouled Dirk Kuyt.
Liverpool had ended the half in the ascendancy, and they were rewarded with the lead in the 44th minute.
Torres was the creator with a clever pass inside Evra, and when Gerrard was tripped after reaching the ball first, referee Alan Wiley again got the big decision right and pointed to the spot.
Gerrard tucked the penalty beyond Van der Sar, leaving Old Trafford stunned at the strength of Liverpool's fightback.
United, inevitably, penned Liverpool back after the break - but found the visitors in grimly determined mood.
Liverpool were fortunate to escape after 62 minutes when Ronaldo, a subdued figure throughout, found Rooney at the far post and his header flew across the face of goal with Tevez unable to apply the finishing touch.
Ferguson went for broke with 18 minutes left, making a triple substitution as he sent on Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes for Anderson, Carrick and Park.
But there was barely time for his changes to make a difference as United were reduced to 10 men and went further behind in the space of seconds. 606:
Vidic had suffered a harrowing afternoon, and once again his control was poor as he allowed Gerrard a clear run on goal. He chose to haul Gerrard back and the red card that followed was inevitable.
As a stunned Old Trafford came to terms with that, Aurelio poured salt in the wounds with a superb 25-yard free-kick that left Van der Sar rooted to the spot.
The stadium was deserting rapidly as Liverpool inflicted one final piece of punishment on United, substitute Dossena lifting a stylish finish over Van der Sar.
As Liverpool's players celebrated a landmark victory, there was only misery at The Theatre of Dreams - for once an inappropriate label for the home of the champions.
ON THIS DAY IN 1982
Liverpool 3 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Game date: 15.05.1982 Stadium: Anfield
Competition: 1st Division Attendance: 48,122
Half-time score 0 - 1 Referee Mills T
Manager Bob Paisley League pos. after match 1
Starting lineup
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Phil Neal
3 Mark Lawrenson
4 Alan Kennedy
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Phil Thompson
7 Kenny Dalglish
8 Sammy Lee
9 Ian Rush
10 Alan Hansen
11 Graeme Souness
Subs
12 Craig Johnston
Goals
Mark Lawrenson 51'
Kenny Dalglish 55'
Ronnie Whelan 87'
Spurs line-up
Ray Clemence, Chris Hughton, Paul Miller, Graham Roberts, Mike Hazard, Steve Perryman, Gary Brooke, Mark Falco, Ricky Villa, Glenn Hoddle, Garth Crooks
Spurs goal
Glenn Hoddle 26'
Spurs substitution
Garth Crooks out for Paul Price 78'
After finishing a disappointing 5th in the 1980-81 season, Paisley stirred the foundations of his team and after an impressive 20 wins in 25 league games in the second part of the season Liverpool win the championship by a four point margin.
Liverpool where trailing 1-0 at half-time through a Glen Hoddle goal and the fear was that the Championship was slipping away but the second half saw Liverpool scoring 3 times to win their 13th Championship.Just 6 minutes in Mark Lawrenson header flew into the net just under the bar.Just 4 minutes latter Kenny Dalglish 15 yards out blasted a low shot past Ray Clemence.With time running out Ronnie Whelan made the game safe Ricky Villa tried to head the ball bay to Ray Clemence but Ronnie quick as a flash hammered an unstopple shot past ex Red Clemence.The celebrations started.At the final whistle fans spilled onto the pitch to congratulate their heroes.Bob Paisley won his 5th title in 8 seasons .
ON THIS DAY IN 2001
Today In History
May 16th
Game date: 16.05.2001 20:45
Stadium: Westfalen St.
Competition: UEFA Cup Final
Half-time score 3 - 1 Referee
Veissière G (France)
Manager Gerard Houllier
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Sander Westerveld
Jamie Carragher
Stephane Henchoz (Vladimir Smicer 56')
Sami Hyypia
Markus Babbel
Danny Murphy
Steven Gerrard
Gary McAllister
Dietmar Hamann
Emile Heskey (Robbie Fowler 64')
Michael Owen (Patrik Berger 79')
Won 5-4 AET On Golden Goal Rule
Babbel 4'
Gerrard 16'
McAllister 41' (Pen)
Fowler 73'
Geli (OG) 117'
Att
48,050
Alaves Line-Up
Martín Herrera, Cosmin Contra, Dan Eggen, Antonio Karmona, Óscar Téllez, Delfí Geli, Javi Moreno, Jordi Cruyff, Ivan Tomic, Hermes Desio, Martín Astudillo
Alaves goals
Iván Alonso 26'
Javi Moreno 48'
Javi Moreno 51'
Jordi Cruyff 89'
Alaves substitutions
Dan Eggen out for Iván Alonso 22'
Martín Astudillo out for Mocellin Magno 46'
Javi Moreno out for Juan Pablo 64'
Liverpool win the greatest final
It's six years since Liverpool clinched their tinpot Treble. What do you remember about their nine-goal Uefa Cup final slugfest with Alaves?
The 2001 Uefa Cup final remains one of the most surreal European matches of all: there were nine goals, two red cards, umpteen defensive howlers and, at the end, untold glory for Liverpool, who became the first English side to win three cup competitions in one season. Relive the match with David Lacey's report and share your memories below ...
Liverpool rejoined European football's scroll of trophy winners last night and did so in a manner which would have defied belief in the professional, pragmatic days of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.
Having shared eight goals with Alaves on an evening when defenders were often reduced to bystanders, Gerard Houllier's team were handed the Uefa Cup by the hapless Delfi Geli, who headed a free-kick from Gary McAllister into his own net with three minutes of extra-time remaining.
The moment defied the description of a golden goal. It was more a case of sudden death by misadventure and the cruellest of conclusions for Alaves, who had twice come back to level the scores and several times appeared to be on the point of taking the game over through sheer attacking persistence.
So Liverpool have now created English football history by winning three cups in a season, and last night's triumph was achieved by a more adventurous approach than they had shown either in the Worthington Cup at the end of February, when Birmingham City were beaten on penalties, or Saturday's FA Cup final, when Michael Owen's two late goals scuppered Arsenal.
Paradoxically Owen was no longer on the pitch last night when the winning goal went in, Houllier having replaced him with Patrik Berger 12 minutes from the end of normal time. That substitution made rather less sense than Emile Heskey giving way to Robbie Fowler just past the hour, for Fowler it was who gave Liverpool a 4-3 lead in the 73rd minute.
Once Jordi Cruyff's late header had taken the final into sudden-death overtime Owen began to be missed as Liverpool failed to find the pace they needed to expose Alaves at the back, even though the Spanish side lost Magno to a second yellow card in the 103rd minute. Seconds before Geli's howler Alaves had also lost their captain, Antonio Karmona, to a second booking for the foul on Vladimir Smicer which produced McAllister's free-kick. What a finish that would have been, with Jose Manuel Esnal's nine men holding on for penalties.
Yet this was no final to be settled by an artificial shoot-out, and credit for such a fluctuating, absorbing encounter must go to the quality of attacking football achieved by both teams.
When Javi Moreno, Spain's leading scorer, a striker with quick feet and equally swift reflexes, brought Alaves back into the contest by scoring twice in three minutes at the start of the second half Liverpool suddenly found themselves on the wrong end of the sort of melodrama which four days earlier had taken the FA Cup to Anfield.
If defenders on both sides struggled to keep up with events, the evening was littered with attacking heroes. For Liverpool McAllister, Houllier's only change in Saturday's starting line-up at the Millennium stadium, remained a profound influence on the game from the moment in the third minute when Markus Babbel nipped through a rigid back three to meet his free-kick and head past Martin Herrera.
At the outset Alaves were simply torn asunder. In the 16th minute Owen gathered a pass from Dietmar Hamann, spotted Steven Gerrard sprinting through in the inside-right position, and set up his England team-mate for a straightforward low drive into the net.
Esnal's response was bold and quickly rewarded. The struggling Dan Eggen, a statue in the back three, gave way to an extra striker, Ivan, and he it was who after 27 minutes outjumped Babbel at the far post to nod Cosmin Contra's cross back past Sander Westerveld.
When McAllister's penalty restored Liverpool's two-goal advantage four minutes from half-time, Herrera having brought down Owen after Hamann's through-ball had sent the striker clear, the crisis seemed to have passed. But in the 48th minute Contra outwitted Jamie Carragher before crossing for Moreno to head a second goal for Alaves, and in the 51st he drove a free-kick low through the defensive wall, beating the unsighted Westerveld.
Fowler's goal, his first of the tournament, was taken with typical aplomb, a precise shot inside the right-hand post. Then with two minutes to go Jordi Cruyff met Gomez Pablo's corner ahead of Gerrard to send this astonishing match into its final act.
on this day in 1976
Today In History
May 19th
FC BRUGES V LIVERPOOL
UEFA CUP FINAL 2ED LEG
OLYMPIC STADIUM
19-5-1976
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Ray Clemence
2 Phil Neal
3 Tommy Smith
4 Phil Thompson
5 Ray Kennedy
6 Emlyn Hughes
7 Kevin Keegan
8 Jimmy Case
9 Steve Heighway
10 John Toshack (David Fairclough 65')
11 Ian Callaghan
Drew 1-1 (Won 4-3 0n Agg)
Keegan 15'
Att
29,423
Liverpool win UEFA Cup
FC BRUGES LINE-UP
Birger Jensen, Alfons Bastijns, Edward Krieger, George Leekens, Jos Volders, Julien Cools, Daniel de Cubber, René Vandereycken, Roger van Gool, Raoul Lambert, Ulrik Lefèvre
FC Bruges goal
Raoul Lambert 11'
FC Bruges substitutions
Daniel de Cubber out for Dirk Hinderyckx 68'
Raoul Lambert out for Dirk Sanders 75'
Thousands of Liverpool fans made the short trip over to Belgium for the second leg, having already had the chance to celebrate another championship when the title was won on a memorable night in Wolverhampton. The players were adapting well to the different challenge that Europe gave and this was to become more evident in the years that followed. For an away match, the game-plan was usually to try and quieten the home support in the early stages - with luck getting their impatience through to the home players - and see what they could grab on the break. But if that was their intention, it didn't work out too well to start with. Only 10 minutes had gone when Tommy Smith was penalised - perhaps harshly - for handball and Lambert blasted his spot-kick just underneath Clemence's crossbar. Level on aggregate but behind on away goals, Liverpool were forced to be more adventurous and equalised only 4 minutes later. Awarded a free-kick in a central position just outside the Bruges penalty-area, Emlyn Hughes flicked the ball sideways to Kevin Keegan who drove his shot through a crowd of players and into the goal.
Liverpool were ahead on aggregate again and it was Bruges who were forced to attack more. But there was no more scoring, although there were certainly some near misses for the home team, notably when Lambert crashed a shot against the post mid-way through the second half. But as time ran out, they become more desperate while Liverpool became more determined to hold on to what they had got. Bruges seemed happy just to be in the final but Liverpool were determined to win it. Maybe that was the main difference in the end. It had been close (4-3) but it was a proud Emlyn Hughes who stepped forward to raise the U.E.F.A. Cup high into the air. He was getting plenty of practice at this sort of thing and whilst the European Cup run the following year is another story, the experience the players gained in the run which culminated in success in Belgium was hugely relevant to what was to follow a year later.
on this day in 2001
Today In History
May 19th
CHARLTON ATHLETIC V LIVERPOOL
PREMIER LEAGUE
THE VALLEY
19-5-2001
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Sander Westerveld
Sami Hyypia
Markus Babel
Gregory Vignal
Jamie Carragher
Steven Gerrard
Gary McAllister
Nick Barmby (Danny Murphy 54')
Patrik Berger (Emile Heskey 89')
Robbie Fowler
Michael Owen
Won 4-1
Fowler 55' 71'
Murphy 61'
Owen 80'
Att
20,043
Charlton Athletic Line-Up
Sasa Ilic, Steve Brown, Chris Powell, Graham Stuart, Andy Todd, Mark Fish, Mark Kinsella, Claus Jensen, Shaun Bartlett, Mathias Svensson, Shaun Newton
Charlton substitutions
Mathias Svensson out for Jonatan Johansson 59'
Shaun Newton out for Scott Parker 65'
Andy Todd out for Paul Konchesky 73'
*Liverpool FC ended the season in 3erd place*
On this day in 1989
Today In History
May 20th
EVERTON V LIVERPOOL
FA CUP FINAL
WEMBLEY STADIUM
20-5-1989
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Bruce Grobbelaar
2 Gary Ablett
3 Steve Staunton (Barry Venison 91')
4 Steve Nicol
5 Ronnie Whelan
6 Alan Hansen
7 Peter Beardsley
8 John Aldridge (Ian Rush 72')
9 Ray Houghton
10 John Barnes
11 Steve McMahon
Won 3-2 AET
Aldridge 4'
Rush 94' 103'
Att
82,800
Everton Line-Up
Neville Southall, Neil McDonald, Pat van den Hauwe, Kevin Ratcliffe, Dave Watson, Paul Bracewell, Pat Nevin, Trevor Steven, Graeme Sharp, Tony Cottee, Kevin Sheedy
Everton goals
Stuart McCall 89'
Stuart McCall 102'
Everton substitutions
Paul Bracewell out for Stuart McCall 58'
Kevin Sheedy out for Ian Wilson 77'
*In memory of the 96*
YNWA
John Aldridge and Ian Rush kept Liverpool on course for a 2ed magical double.In an emotion fillied final that became known as The Memorial FA Cup Final.The Final was a wonderful tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy on Semi Final day.In one of the greatest finals ever to grace Wembley it looked as if Liverpool would win easily as they took the lead after only four minutes.In their first attack Peter Beardsley fed the ball to Steve Nicol and he played a wonderfull ball to Steve McMahon his pin-point pass found John Aldridge who scored his 29th goal of the season in his 100th game for the Reds.
As Liverpool missed chance after chance to put the the game beyond Everton .Referee Joe Worrall was just seconds away from blowing the final whistle when Dave Watson fired a shot that Brce Grobbelaar could only parry.Sub Stuart Mcall forced the ball into the net.Into Extra Time and Liverpool and again it didn't take long for Liverpool to regain the lead this time through Ian Rush again Steve Nicol was involved who found Rush with an excellent pass who turned the ball home to make it 2-1 to Liverpool.Everyone thought that Liverpool would wrap the game up but once again Stuart McAll smashed a volley from all of 20 yards that left Grobbelaar helpless.Back came Liverpool just two minutes later John Barnes was the provider this time as Ian Rush headed pass Southall in the Everton goal.Liverpool had further chances to score but Everton held out eventhough they could not come back a third time.Liverpool were winner 3-2 and Kenny Dalglish said both teams were a tribute to the fans that died at Hillsborough and praised Everton for their part in a wonderful final.
On This Day In 1977
Today In History
May 25th
LIVERPOOL V BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH
EUROPEAN CUP FINAL
OLYMPIC STADIUM - ROME
25-5-1977
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
1 Ray Clemence
2 Phil Neal
3 Joey Jones
4 Tommy Smith
5 Ray Kennedy
6 Emlyn Hughes
7 Kevin Keegan
8 Jimmy Case
9 Steve Heighway
10 Ian Callaghan
11 Terry McDermott
Won 3-1
McDermott 27'
Smith 64'
Neal 82' (Pen)
Att
56,000
BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH LINE-UP
Wolfgang Kneib, Berti Vogts, Hans-Jürgen Wittkamp, Frank Schäffer, Hans Klinkhammer, Rainer Bonhof, Horst Wohlers, Uli Stielike, Herbert Wimmer, Allan Simonsen, Jupp Heynckes
BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH goals
Allan Simonsen 51'
Liverpool went into this game on the back of a FA Cup Final defeat against Manchester United but fears that they would suffer defeat again were quickly squashed.
It wasn't all one way though Ray Clemence pulled off a string of world class saves to deny BMG, he was luvky only once when a shot Rainer Bonhoff struck a post.
The opening goal came after 27 minutes when Steve Heighway rolled a sweet ball from Ian Callaghan into the path of Terry McDermott.Goalkeeper Wolfgang Knelb was slow coming out and McDermott struck the ball so incisively that there was no chance of saving it.Allan Simonsen equalised after 51 mins,an error by Jimmy Case allowed the Dane to nip in to score.Clemence then made a super save from Stielik.then Simonsen headed just wide.BMG were on top at this stage until Klinkhammer gave away a careless corner.Heighway took it and his cross was met by Tommy Smith who had announced he was going to retire after this game(he later changed his mind)
Tommy powered a header pass Knelb to put Liverpool 2-1 up.Back came BMG and it took a great save from Clemence from Heynckes and Simonsen.Liverpool then made the game sae when Vogtes hauled down the departing Kevin Keegan who had led Berti a merry dance all night.It was a stonewall penalty and Phil Neal the coolest man in the stadium made no mistake to make it 3-1 to Liverpool with just eight minutes left.Liverpool were Champions of Europe at last.
ON THIS DAY IN 2005
Today In History
May 25th
AC MILAN V LIVERPOOL
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
ATATURK OLIMPIYAT STADIUM
ISTANBUL
25-5-2005
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Jerzy Dudek
Steve Finnan (Dietmar Hamann 46')
Sami Hyypia
John Arne Riise
Djimi Traore
Jamie Carragher
Harry Kewell (Vladimir Smicer 23
Steven Gerrard
Xabi Alonso
Luis Garcia
Milan Baros (Djibril Cisse 85')
Drew 3-3 (AET)
Gerrard 54'
Smicer 56'
Alonso 59'
Won 3-2 on Pens
Hamann
Cisse
Smicer
Att
65,000
AC MILAN LINE-UP
Dida, Cafú, Paolo Maldini, Jaap Stam, Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Kaká, Hernán Crespo, Andriy Shevchenko
AC MILAN goals
Paolo Maldini 1'
Hernán Crespo 39'
Hernán Crespo 44'
AC MILAN substitutions
Hernán Crespo out for Jon Dahl Tomasson 85'
Clarence Seedorf out for Serginho 85'
Gennaro Gattuso out for Rui Costa 112'
- Xabi Alonso missed a penalty on 59'
- His kick was saved by Milan goalkeeper Dida but he reacted quickly to drive the rebound into the roof of the net.
Match decided by penalties:
0-0 Serginho missed
1-0 Hamann
1-0 Pirlo saved
2-0 Cissé
2-1 Tomasson
2-1 Riise saved
2-2 Kaka
3-2 Smicer
3-2 Schevchenko saved
Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties and 6-5 in total.
Reds win the European Cup/Champions League for the 5th time*
Liverpool are Kings of Europe once again after claiming the trophy for a fifth time with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over AC Milan at the Ataturk Stadium on Wednesday night.
On what will go down as THE most incredible night in this club's illustrious history the Reds amazingly fought back from a 3-0 half-time deficit and won the cup on penalties.
Jerzy Dudek was the hero, saving the decisive spot-kick from Andriy Shevchenko, but every player in Red was a hero on an unforgettable occasion in Istanbul.
A first minute goal from Paolo Maldini and a double strike from Hernan Crespo just before the break looked to have left the Reds' hopes of Champions League glory seemingly in tatters before an amazing fightback saw them draw level.
Three goals in a frantic five-minute second half spell sent Liverpudlians everywhere wild with delight and must have thrilled television viewers across the world.
It was captain Steven Gerrard who got the comeback underway with a glancing header on 54 minutes. At the time it seemed nothing but a mere consolation but when Vladimir Smicer, in his last game for the club, then fired a long-range effort past Dida two minutes later belief and hope rung around the ground.
In the 59th minute Gerrard was brought down in the box and from the resultant spot-kick it was 3-3. Alonso's first effort was saved by the diving Dida but he gloriously made no mistake with the rebound to spark ecstatic scenes among the travelling Liverpool fans.
In what was the club's first European Cup Final since 1985, Liverpool fans converged on the Ataturk Stadium in their thousands and vastly outnumbered the fans from Milan.
Their presence helped create an electric atmosphere but they were stunned into silence after just one minute when Maldini volleyed home from an Andrea Pirlo free-kick after Djimi Traore fouled Kaka.
Rafael Benitez's team struggled to recover from the shock of this early setback and Luis Garcia was forced to head off the line as Milan threatened further goals. Andriy Shevchenko had a goal ruled out for offside before and to compound Liverpool's problems Harry Kewell limped off injured after 23 minutes.
Hernan Crespo, the Argentinean striker on-loan from Chelsea, doubled the Italian's advantage in the 39th minute when converting from close-range and to every Liverpool fans horror he then added a third two minutes before the break when he chipped over Dudek.
It seemed all over until the most miraculous of comebacks saw the Reds send this dramatic match into extra-time. There was to be no further scoring, although Liverpool had Jerzy Dudek to thank for a stunning double late save to deny Shevchenko, and for the second time a European Cup Final involving Liverpool was to be settled by the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.
Hamann, Cisse and Smicer scored, Riise's effort was saved but Serginho blazed over and Dudek saved from Pirlo and Shevchenko to win the cup for Liverpool.
Old big ears is back. And this time it's for good! Campioni Liverpool!!!
ON THIS DAY IN 1942
LIVERPOOL V EVERTON
FOOTBALL LEAGUE NORTHERN DIVISION
WAR-TIME GAME
ANFIELD
30-05-1942
LIVERPOOL
1 Alf Hobson
2 Ron Gutteridge
3 A.A.Owen
4 BILL SHANKLY
5 A.Woodruff
6 George Kaye
7 Billy Liddell
8 A.Mclaren
9 Cyril Done
10 Len Carney
11 J.E.Wharton
Won 4-1
Len Carney
Cyril Done(2)
J.E.Wharton
Att 13,761
This was Bill Shanklys only game for Liverpool as a war-time guest player
ON THIS DAY IN 1984
ALAN KENNEDY, the match-winning hero of Paris in 1981, gave Liverpool the most dramatic European Cup victory of all time in Rome last night.
After the game's most coveted prize had been reduced to a penalty shoot-out, the veteran fullback blasted home to bring the trophy back to Anfield for a fourth time.
Ironically the man who broke a million Italian hearts was the legendary national hero Graziani, who blazed high over the crossbar with Roma's fourth kick to seal their fate.
This most haphazard end to a night of high drama began sensationally when Liverpool substitute Steve Nicol drove high and wide with the first kick.
Di Bartolomei and Phil Neal safely converted before Bruno Conti missed his side's second kick. Souness, Righetti and Rush proved equal to the task before Graziani's costly slip-up.
The Liverpool bench exploded as Kennedy's shot struck the back of the net to complete an astonishing hat-trick of successes in manager Joe Fagan's first season in charge.
But earlier, through normal and extra-time, the much-vaunted showdown between arguably the two finest club sides in the world, never looked likely to reach the heights of excellence so many had predicted.
Too many of the ball artists on view - the aristocratic but lethargic Falcao in particular - suffered irritating off-days reducing the game to a stuttering chess-like confrontation.
The action was confined almost totally to midfield for lengthy spells leaving the two sides' respective goal poachers Rush and Pruzzo, scrambling for crumbs in front of goal.
Roma, for the most part happy to play a surprisingly basic game, concentrated almost their entire effort down the flanks, Conti and Graziani constantly sweeping past Phil Neal and Alan Kennedy.
After successfully employing the waiting game in the crucial early stages, Liverpool swept forward after 15 minutes to snatch the lead and silence one of the most volatile crowds in Europe.
It was a curious goal which ultimately owed more to good fortune than good judgment. Graeme Souness laid the ball down the right flank and after a brief Sammy Lee contribution, it fell neatly for Craig Johnston. As he had done on three previous occasions, he whipped the ball across to the far post where Ronnie Whelan awaited. Tancredi leaped backwards only to collide with the young Irishman. The ball squirmed free of his clutching hands to fall invitingly at the feet of Rush. Bonetti intercepted only to see his attempted clearance blocked. His second effort cannoned into the rear of his prone goalkeeper's body and back across the face of goal. Neal stepped gracefully between two converging defenders before hammering home with the outside of his right foot from six yards.
Souness appeared for all intents and purposes to have sewn things up two minutes later when he volleyed home from close range only to find disappointment in a lineman's waving flag.
Grobbelaar, cool but occasionally unorthodox, came galloping to the rescue after 27 minutes when he threw himself down to his right to paw Conti's low drive to safety.
The lonely figure of Rush came within inches of notching his 50th goal of the season after 38 minutes when Bonetti committed the near fatal error of over-confidence. The Welshman charged down his lazy clearance and raced forward in typical fashion. His angled drive was accurate but superbly saved by Tancredi.
But with half-time beckoning and a potentially decisive one-goal advantage to their name, Liverpool made an uncharacteristic and basic error after 43 minutes. Conti appeared to have lost his chance when Mark Lawrenson blocked his cross but strangely he was offered a second opportunity - which he gratefully accepted. As Lawrenson and Neal tried in vain to close him down, he swung over a beautiful cross which Pruzzo reached first. His header looped tantalisingly beyond Grobbelaar for an equaliser Roma had hardly looked capable of.
The second half was a thor-oughly low key affair as both sides abandoned their natural game in a bid to minimise any errors.
Steve Nicol was within inches of averting extra-time after 85 minutes when he was set free inside the area by Kenny Dalglish. His drive was well hit but superbly saved by the athletic Tancredi.
The extra period followed a similar pattern, both sides slowing the game down at every opportunity. With just three minutes remaining, Conti was thwarted by an acrobatic Grobbelaar save after latching on to a loose back pass.
LIVERPOOL: Grobbelaar; Neal, Lawrenson, Hansen, Kennedy; Lee, Johnston (Nicol), Souness, Whelan; Rush, Dalglish (Robinson).
AS ROMA: Tancredi; Nappi, Bonetti, Cerezo (Strukelj), Righetti; Falcao, Nela, Di Bartolomei, Conti; Pruzzo (Chierico), Graziani.
REFEREE: Mr F Frederiksson (Sweden)
ATT: 69,693
MAN OF THE MATCH: Phil Neal - Like fellow full-back Alan Kennedy, he proved the man for the big occasion, on target both during the game and the shoot-out.
OldSniperwolfy96
30-5-12, 11:34
Thanks Boston :scarf
2-2
us in all yellow.
kenny cuts in from the byline,beats 2 players,slips it into the net.
http://www.driblingsport.com/
VancouverKop
28-7-12, 21:12
Have a quick listen to Bruce Grobbelaar's memory of the Roma Cup final. The Show is a podcast based out of Vancouver, Canada.
Some very touching stories about Hillsborough as well.
http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3551-West-Coast-Soccer-Podcast-Episode-18-Bruce-Grobbelaar
Think it was 1st of Nov 89 against Everton on a Sunday they beat us in the Milk Cup in midweek Stevens broke Beglins leg thy taught they had us was the match wit Beardleys classic goal Kop end and Macmahon and Reid goin at it all game
On This Day In 2001 Reds Win European Super Cup
LIVERPOOL V BAYERN MUNICH
UEFA SUPER CUP FINAL
STADE LOUIS 11
MONACO
24-8-2001
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Sander Westerveld
Jamie Carragher
Markus Babbel
Sami Hyypia
Stephane Henchoz
John Arne Riise (Danny Murphy 69')
Steven Gerrard (Igor Biscan 66')
Dietmar Hamann
Gary McAllister
Michael Owen (Robbie Fowler 83')
Emile Heskey
Won 3-2
Riise 23'
Heskey 45'
Owen 46'
Att
13,824
Bayern Munich Line-Up
Oliver Kahn, Willy Sagnol, Pablo Thiam, Radoslav Kovac, Thomas Linke, Bixente Lizarazu, Ciriaco Sforza, Hasan Salihamidzic, Owen Hargreaves, Élber, Claudio Pizarro
Bayern Munich Goals
Hasan Salihamidzic 57'
Carsten Jancker 81'
Bayern Munich Substitutions
Ciriaco Sforza out for Nico Kovac 66'
Claudio Pizarro out for Carsten Jancker 66'
Hasan Salihamidzic out for Nico Kovac 72'
- John Arne Riise scores his debut goal for LFC
IN DEFEATING Bayern Munich to win the UEFA Super Cup here in Monaco, Liverpool served up the sight all England want to see next Saturday: Michael Owen, sharpness and speed, and Emile Heskey darting through to beat Oliver Kahn, the esteemed captain and goalkeeper of Germany.
England will find Germany a far more difficult proposition in a World Cup qualifier than Liverpool found Bayern. Yet strikers thrive on confidence as well as the knowledge that they have scored against certain keepers in the past.
Sven-Goran Eriksson watched on as, following John Arne Riise's opener at his old home, both Owen and then Heskey displayed their finishing ability.
The England coach will also have been pleased to see Steven Gerrard give a solid performance in right midfield and a lively substitute's cameo from Robbie Fowler while, for Bayern, Owen Hargreaves produced some neat touches.
Liverpool had deserved their first-half 2-0 lead, the goals just reward for the excellence of their defence, particularly Sami Hyypia, their midfield graft and the speed of Owen and Heskey in attack. Owen kept racing down the channels, creating chances for himself and others. It was a sight to delight Eriksson as well as the Liverpool contingent.
One right-wing cross from Owen was met by Heskey but diverted for a corner; the next, after 22 minutes, saw the ball arrive at Owen's flying feet via Gerrard after Hargreaves had lost possession. Owen drilled the ball across goal for Riise to supply the finishing touch.
Although the Bayern fans chorused "you only sing when you're winning" and other more Anglo-Saxon chants, their players could find no riposte to Liverpool.
Owen's pace was causing panic in Bayern's defence. Yet when he went through one-on-one with Kahn, the German keeper stood up to the challenge and thwarted the Liverpool striker with a good save; as events early in the second half indicated, Owen suffered no loss of confidence, no sudden feeling of awe in the presence of Kahn.
Before Owen showed he can score against Kahn, another England striker was placing the ball past the player honoured here on Thursday night as European Goalkeeper of the Year. Again Hargreaves lost the ball, his pass being cut out by Dietmar Hamann, who found Heskey down the inside-left channel.
Two defenders stood between Heskey and Kahn; within a second, Heskey's strength and skill had carried him past Robert Kovac and Thomas Linke, who should be in Germany's defence next Saturday, before he clipped the ball in past Kahn. Liverpool's fans, who had spent the day drinking in cafes and diving into the harbour, loved it. They had even learned some of the local lingo; "Liverpool FC - Sans Pareil" read one banner.
They were certainly without equal last night, their supremacy confirmed 13 seconds after the re-start when Owen cut in from the left and slid the ball across Kahn and in. This was Owen at his best: incisive in the break, decisive in the final touch.
Bayern could not remain so supine for so long and reduced the deficit to 3-1 within 15 minutes. Hargreaves's corner from the left was met powerfully by Hasan Salihamidzic, whose close-range header flashed past Sander Westerveld. Hargreaves was rightly congratulated for the quality of his corner but, overall, his was a curate's egg of a contribution in front of Eriksson.
His occasional casualness in distribution was evident, leading to Liverpool's opening goals, but otherwise he won the ball athletically and used it efficiently from his base in deep central midfield. Yet Bayern's president, Franz Beckenbauer, argued that it was "too early for him" to be playing also for Eriksson.
"He has a great talent but give the boy time," urged Beckenbauer. "The Under-21s would be better." England send their polite regrets but the Kaiser will have to be dis- appointed; Hargreaves's name was absent from David Platt's Under-21s yesterday and he will be included in Eriksson's full squad tomorrow.
Nine minutes from time Carsten Jancker made it 3-2 with a meaty header but Liverpool deservedly held on for their fifth trophy in six months.
HoustonKopiteMatt
24-8-12, 23:02
Not to go off topic, but I am visiting my ancestral home of Liverpool 22-24 for the first time in my life. We all know what happens on September 23, and I expect it to be one of the most amazing days I ever experience in my entire life. I have my flight booked but still need lodging and a ticket.
Does anyone have any website recommendations or routes for me to pursue one of these said tickets? Iss there a group I could email to get a fan seat in the Kop? I'm ready to pay what I have to pay, but I can barely afford the trip and was hoping this forum would have advice for me. Thanks to all that respond, love to all that support the greatest club on earth.
YNWA
Not to go off topic, but I am visiting my ancestral home of Liverpool 22-24 for the first time in my life. We all know what happens on September 23, and I expect it to be one of the most amazing days I ever experience in my entire life. I have my flight booked but still need lodging and a ticket.
Does anyone have any website recommendations or routes for me to pursue one of these said tickets? Iss there a group I could email to get a fan seat in the Kop? I'm ready to pay what I have to pay, but I can barely afford the trip and was hoping this forum would have advice for me. Thanks to all that respond, love to all that support the greatest club on earth.
YNWA
I am unsure where I will be then or you would be welcome to stay with me as I have put a few Reds up in the past
I suggest you post this as a new thread in Website Feedback you would get a better reponse there.
RodgersThat
25-8-12, 15:58
This is a BOSS thread. Bittersweet with many of these memories .....
That was an excellent Bayern Munich side we beat.
August 26th 2005
Liverpool have won their 3rd Super Cup after super sub Djibril Cisse came off the bench to score the goals to beat CSKA Moscow 3-1 after extra time in Monaco tonight.
It wasn't quite Istanbul, but the Reds produced another second half fight back, before growing in strength as the game went into extra time and making another prestige addition to the Anfield trophy cabinet.
It had looked like it would be a night of frustration for Rafa ?s men as they trailed to Daniel Carvalho's 28th minute strike. But they were saved by substitute Djibril Cisse, who needed just 3 minutes on the pitch to draw his side level.
Liverpool began the game looking very much the sharper side and Hamann tested the Moscow keeper within 2 minutes. They created an even better opportunity soon after when Hamann, again involved, found Garcia clear, but he couldn't control as the goal beckoned.
The Reds continued to dominate possession and Morientes and Garcia both went close. But they were rocked in the 28th minute when CSKA scored from a counter attack that Liverpool themselves would have been proud of.
There seemed to be little danger and little ambition from Moscow, but Wagner-Love suddenly found a defence splitting pass and Carvalho ran around Reina before finishing coolly as the angle narrowed.
The second half started much the same as the first, with Liverpool again in the ascendancy. But as hard as they tried they just couldn't find a way passed CSKA's five man defence.
That was until the 79th minute introduction of Cisse, who had barely got his boots dirty before running passed goalkeeper Akinfeev and slotting into the empty net. There may have been a touch of controversy about Cisse's goal as the ball appeared to touch his hand, but he didn't care as he reeled away to celebrate.
Liverpool had deserved their equalizer and if Cisse's first goal was a timely reminder of his ability, his second 12 minutes into extra time not only won a 3rd Super Cup, but it also made him the hero of the night.
CSKA almost found a way back in the second period of extra time, but Reina saved well from Wagner-Love and the Cup waswon.
A late Luis Garcia header made it safe, with Cisse this time the provider and Rafa's men will return to Liverpool with not just the Super Cup, but with their confidence somewhat boosted as they once again proved their powers of recovery.
Game date: 26.08.2005 20:45 Stadium: Stade Louis II
Competition: European Super Cup Attendance: 17,000
Half-time score 0 - 1 Referee Temmink RHJ (Netherlands)
LIVERPOOL LINE-UP
Jose Reina
Josemi Rey
John Arne Riise (Djibril Cisse 79')
Jamie Carragher
Sami Hyypia
Steve Finnan (Florent Sinama Pongolle 55')
Luis Garcia
Xabi Alonso (Mohamed Sissoko 71')
Dietmar Hamann
Boudewijn Zenden
Fernando Morientes
Won 3-1(A.E.T.)
Cisse 82' 103'
Garcia 119'
Att
17,000
C.S.K.A. Moscow Line-Up
Igor Akinfeev, Claudi Odiah, Sergei Ignashevich, Vasili Berezoutski, Aleksei Berezoutski, Evgeniy Aldonin, Milos Krasic, Elvir Rahimic, Yuri Zhirkov, Daniel Carvalho, Vágner Love
C.S.K.A. goal
Daniel Carvalho 28'
C.S.K.A. substitutions
Yuri Zhirkov out for Deividas Sembreras 66'
Milos Krasic out for Dudu Cearense 85'
Claudi Odiah out for Roland Gusev 90'
Manager Rafael Benítez Opposition manager Valeri Gazzaev
naturalskill
28-1-13, 23:11
I remember this which happened right in front of me when I was using my Uncle Bobby's season ticket for the Kemlyn Rd
This was magic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xcn9ouTdmm0