Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games

With over 100 league victories under his belt and many thrilling draws along the way, there's no shortage of epic matches to look back on as we countdown from 100 to 1.

Number 100

Fixture: Liverpool 3-0 Norwich City
Date: 25 Sep 2004
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Dudek, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Warnock (Biscan 77), Alonso (Diao 63), Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Cisse (Traore 70).

Subs: Josemi, Kirkland.

We kick-off our brand new summer feature 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 100 and a memorable display from Xabi Alonso against Norwich City in 2004.

Without the injured Steven Gerrard, Alonso took control of midfield and inspired Rafa's team to a 3-0 victory.

Milan Baros opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and Luis Garcia made it 2-0 three minutes later with a deflected shot.

Djibril Cisse added a third in the second half but the man the Kop instantly warmed to was Alonso.

The new Reds No.14 was only on the field for 63 minutes but he gave an exhibition of passing at its very best - the like of which hadn't been seen at Anfield since the days when Jan Molby was at his prime.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDZA6tCPyXY"]Xabi Alonso vs Norwich City[/ame]

Number 99

Fixture: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Date: 19 Aug 2007
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Reina, Arbeloa, Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Riise (Crouch 83), Alonso, Gerrard, Pennant (Babel 68), Kuyt, Torres.

Subs: Hyypia, Itandje, Mascherano.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 99 and an Anfield debut to remember for Fernando Torres.

Torres made it a goalscoring debut to remember against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea at Anfield.

Reds skipper Steven Gerrard was playing through the pain barrier after suffering a hairline fracture of his toe against Toulouse, but you wouldn't have known it when he sprang to life and played a brilliant pass into the channel for Torres.

The new No.9 did the rest as he turned Tal Ben-Haim inside out before beating Petr Cech to send Anfield into raptures.

Rafael Benitez's side played superbly on the day and were denied victory in a cruel way when Rob Styles awarded Chelsea a highly dubious penalty.

Styles claimed Steve Finnan had fouled Florent Malouda in the penalty area. The injustice of the decision was proven by television replays, but Chelsea accepted their gift when Frank Lampard beat Pepe Reina from the spot to make it 1-1.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS2TBes47GM"]Torres Debut Goal[/ame]

Number 98

Fixture: Bolton 0-2 Liverpool
Date: 15 Nov 2008
Venue: Reebok Stadium

Liverpool team: Reina, Carragher, Aurelio, Agger, Hyypia, Riera (Benayoun 89), Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Lucas 84), Gerrard, Keane (Torres 59).

Subs: Babel, Cavalieri, Darby, Dossena.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 98 and a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok from November 2008.

Liverpool produced an impressive display as they temporarily reclaimed top spot after a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring with a great header after a pinpoint cross from Fabio Aurelio.

Numerous chances were then missed before Steven Gerrard secured the three points after heading home Fernando Torres' cross.

Number 97

Fixture: Liverpool 2-0 Watford
Date: 23 Dec 2006
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Agger, Carragher, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Gerrard, Pennant (Gonzalez 66), Bellamy (Crouch 82), Kuyt (Aurelio 90).

Subs: Dudek, Hyypia.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 97 and a Xabi Alonso inspired win over Watford from December 2006.

A brilliant strike from our Spanish midfield maestro Alonso was the highlight of this 2-0 win over Watford at Anfield on a freezing December day in 2006.

Craig Bellamy opened the scoring two minutes into the second half when he raced onto Steven Gerrard's through ball before keeping his nerve to beat Ben Foster.

The Hornets gave a spirited display but a second goal was always likely although Liverpool left it late with two minutes left.

It was certainly worth waiting for when Alonso fired an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the net to seal the three points.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Roey1yH_wEo"]Bellamy Goal[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHykPTzRVKk"]Alonso Goal[/ame]

Number 96

Fixture: Liverpool 3-0 Bolton
Date: 01 Jan 2007
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Gonzalez (Luis Garcia 69), Alonso, Gerrard (Aurelio 85), Pennant, Crouch, Kuyt (Fowler 86).

Subs: Agger, Dudek.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 96 and a great start to the New Year against Bolton Wanderers from January 2007.

Steven Gerrard celebrated his MBE award with a fantastic goal in front of the Kop during this impressive victory over the Trotters.

His strike in the 63rd minute was a stuning volley and he bowed to the Kopites who saluted his goal.

Two minutes earlier Peter Crouch had opened the scoring with a wonderful bicycle kick from Jermaine Pennant's right wing cross.

Dirk Kuyt made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute to make it an impressive start to 2007.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhkxr5YUrUE"]Crouch Goal[/ame]

Number 95

Fixture: Bolton 1-3 Liverpool
Date: 02 Mar 2008
Venue: Reebok Stadium

Liverpool team: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel, Carragher, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt (Arbeloa 86), Torres (Riise 78).

Subs: Benayoun, Crouch, Martin.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 95 and a rather bizarre own goal during a 3-1 win at Bolton Wanderers in March 2008.

Fabio Aurelio scored a brilliant first ever goal in a red shirt but all the talk at the end of the game was about an own goal from Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Steven Gerrard's shot was going wide until Jaaskelainen saved and then turned to his horror as the ball ended up in his empty net.

The Finnish stopper then redeemed himself to keep Bolton in the game before Ryan Babel drilled home the second goal on the hour mark.

Brazilian Aurelio then made it 3-0 with a sweet left footed volley from 20-yards out into the top corner of the net.

Tamir Cohen, son of Liverpool's former Israeli international Avi, netted a consolation for the Trotters.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwyBaCpwcMg"]Aurelio's Goal[/ame]

Number 94

Fixture: Liverpool 1-0 Portsmouth
Date: 29 Oct 2008
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Babel (Riera 72), Alonso, Lucas, Pennant (Benayoun 63), Gerrard (Keane 90), Kuyt.

Subs: Agger, Cavalieri, Dossena, Mascherano.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with the night Steven Gerrard silenced the Pompey chimes in 2008.

Rafa's Reds extended their unbeaten run to 17 games after a gift penalty handed Liverpool the three points.

Tony Adams' gameplan, with five men in midfield to stifle Liverpool, worked quite well but 15 minutes from time Papa Bouba Diop handled the ball in his own penalty area.

Our inspirational skipper fired the ball past David James into the Kop net to keep the Reds top of the Barclays Premier League table.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msj3uV9T8wM"]Highlights[/ame]

Number 93

Fixture: Liverpool 2-0 Reading
Date: 04 Nov 2006
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Pennant, Alonso, Zenden (Gonzalez 66), Gerrard, Crouch (Sissoko 74), Kuyt (Fowler 88).

Subs: Agger, Martin.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 93 and a Dirk Kuyt inspired win over Reading from 2006.

Our number 18 was in red hot form as he scored twice to sink the Royals at Anfield.

Kuyt put away two opportunist efforts to extend the Reds' unbeaten run to four games.

Liverpool could easily have won by more goals in the end such was their dominance.

Number 92

Fixture: Wigan Athletic 0-1 Liverpool
Date: 29 Sep 2007
Venue: JJB Stadium

Liverpool team: Reina, Aurelio (Benayoun 55), Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Riise, Gerrard, Mascherano, Pennant (Voronin 82), Kuyt, Torres (Sissoko 83).

Subs: Finnan, Itandje.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 92 and a late Yossi Benayoun winner versus Wigan Athletic from 2007.

Benayoun came off the bench to inspire Liverpool to victory with a brilliant winner at the JJB Stadium.

With just 15 minutes remaining the Israeli international latched onto Jermaine Pennant's pass and slotted past Chris Kirkland.

After being rested for the previous weekend's goalless draw with Birmingham City at Anfield, Rafael Benitez restored Fernando Torres to his starting line-up.

El Nino should have made it 2-0 when he found himself clear and Wigan almost levelled in stoppage time but Nigerian striker Julius Aghahowa missed the target from six yards out.

[ame="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/847961/yossi_benayoun_vs_wigan/"]Yossi Benayoun Vs Wigan - Video[/ame]

Number 91

Fixture: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham
Date: 26 Aug 2006
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Reina, Finnan, Aurelio, Agger, Hyypia, Luis Garcia (Gonzalez 60), Alonso, Gerrard, Pennant (Zenden 82), Bellamy, Crouch (Kuyt 52).

Subs: Dudek, Kromkamp.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 91 and a memorable Daniel Agger strike against West Ham United from 2006.

Dirk Kuyt made an impressive debut and Danish star Agger scored a belter at the Kop end as Liverpool beat the Hammers at Anfield.

Bobby Zamora gave the away side a shock 12th minute lead when his cross deceived Pepe Reina and found the net.

However, Agger equalised with a simply stunning effort at the Kop end after 42 minutes, and on the stroke of half-time Peter Crouch made it 2-1 after being set up by Luis Garcia.

Kuyt came off the bench to make his Reds bow in the second half and with his first touch sent a brilliant effort just the wrong side of the post.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmzPDf2WFmk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmzPDf2WFmk[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7aRhY3QfR4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7aRhY3QfR4[/ame]

i simply cannot believe you have this at 91. it's clearly number 92, and the match listed at 92 should be 91.

some people!!!

don't get me started, boyo!

-------

i would subscribe to this thread, but i keep thinking of Dakota sweltering in Fargo, pounding away on a Commodore 64 keyboard, drinking RC Cola and eating masala potato wedges.

Mmmmmmm...Potato wedges.

Number 90

Fixture: Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
Date: 26 Feb 2006
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Agger, Hyypia, Kewell (Traore 85), Alonso (Hamann 31), Gerrard, Kromkamp, Crouch (Luis Garcia 75), Morientes.

Subs: Cisse, Dudek.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 90 and Harry Kewell's winner against Manchester City from 2006.

Rafael Benitez's men bounced back from their midweek Champions League defeat in Benfica to beat Manchester City 1-0.

Kewell netted the only goal of the game when Steven Gerrard's superb pass sent him clean through on goal and the number seven finished superbly.

Liverpool also had to overcome the early loss of Xabi Alonso who couldn't continue after treatment on a head wound.

Number 89

Fixture: Liverpool 2-0 Charlton
Date: 23 Oct 2004
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Kirkland, Finnan, Traore (Warnock 86), Carragher, Hyypia, Riise (Kewell 64), Alonso, Hamann, Garcia, Baros (Sinama-Pongolle 77), Cisse.

Subs: Dudek, Diao.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 89 and two stunning goals from John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia against Charlton Athletic in 2004.

Danny Murphy got a terrific reception from the Kop on his Anfield return but could only look in admiration as Liverpool produced an excellent performance.

Charlton survived a first half onslaught but the deadlock was finally broken in the 51st minute and what a strike it was, when Riise struck a left footed volley from 25 yards out into the corner of the Kop net.

The second goal was even better when Spanish ace Luis Garcia curled an unstoppable 25-yard effort into the net.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgeYIRyjNhA"]Riise's Goal[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klXgSTTuWD8"]Garcia's Goal[/ame]

Number 88

Fixture: Liverpool 1-0 Southampton
Date: 28 Dec 2004
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Dudek, Finnan (Diao 29), Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock, Alonso, Gerrard, Luis Garcia (Hamann 87), Mellor (Nunez 68), Sinama-Pongolle.

Subs: Harrison, Traore.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 88 and Florent Sinama-Pongolle's winner against Southampton in 2004.

Liverpool ended 2004 in winning ways after a fantastic goal on the stroke of half time from French gem Sinama-Pongolle.

Xabi Alonso's wonderfully timed throughball split open the Saints defence and the striker finished superbly.

The visitors' main threat came from Rory Delap's long throw-ins and Stephen Warnock cleared one off the line.

Rafa's Reds could have won by more goals in the end. Neil Mellor was denied by a brilliant save and John Arne Riise smashed an effort against the bar after a sublime pass from Steven Gerrard. The Norwegian was also denied a blatant stoppage time penalty.

Number 87

Fixture: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool
Date: 16 Aug 2008
Venue: Stadium of Light

Liverpool team: Reina, Dossena, Carragher, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Benayoun (Aurelio 81), Gerrard, Plessis (Alonso 45), Kuyt, Keane (El Zhar 77), Torres.

Subs: Agger, Cavalieri, Ngog, Skrtel.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 87 and Fernando Torres' brilliant winner against Sunderland from 2008.

Liverpool got off to the perfect start to the 2008-2009 season after a fantastic late winner from Torres against Sunderland.

Receiving Xabi Alonso's pass, El Nino smashed a low shot from 25-yards out beyond the reach of Craig Gordon to send the travelling Kop into raptures.

Benitez started with Damien Plessis in midfield but the half-time introduction of Alonso inspired the Reds to victory.

Alonso almost scored with a trademark effort from the halfway line that just cleared the bar.

[ame="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1633171/fernando_torres_sunderland_0_1_liverpool/"]Torres![/ame]

Number 86

Fixture: Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool
Date: 26 Nov 2005
Venue: City of Manchester Stadium

Liverpool: Reina, Warnock, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise (Luis Garcia 76), Hamann, Sissoko, Gerrard, Cisse (Kewell 50), Crouch (Morientes 80).

Subs: Dudek, Potter.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 86 and John Arne Riise's winner against Manchester City from 2005.

A superb strike from Norwegian ace Riise ensured Liverpool came away from the City of Manchester Stadium with three points.

The only goal of the game came on the hour mark when Riise finished off a superb team move to fire a low drive into the net beyond the reach of David James.

The victory stretched Liverpool's unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League to six games.

Number 85

Fixture: Liverpool 2-2 Tottenham
Date: 07 Oct 2007
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool team: Reina, Arbeloa (Babel 63), Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Riise, Gerrard, Mascherano, Pennant (Kuyt 69), Torres, Voronin (Benayoun 77).

Subs: Itandje, Lucas.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 85 and a four goal thriller against Spurs from 2007.

Fernando Torres' injury time header at the Kop end ensured Liverpool a share of the spoils after a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Things started well when Andriy Voronin gave the Reds a 12th minute lead but Spurs responded and two Robbie Keane efforts, both coming from Dimitar Berbatov assists, gave them a 2-1 lead.

However, with time running out Steve Finnan's pinpoint cross from the right found the head of El Nino who in customary style found the net.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsRbfAbFzKU"]Voronin[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twdCrrGIuxk"]Torres[/ame]

Number 84

Fixture: Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
Date: 30 Dec 2006
Venue: White Hart Lane

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio (Gonzalez 79), Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Riise, Alonso, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Bellamy (Pennant 48), Kuyt (Crouch 66).

Subs: Martin, Paletta.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 84 and Luis Garcia's winner against Tottenham Hotspur from 2006.

A timely goal to say the least on the stroke of half-time ensured Liverpool ended 2006 on winning ways.

Spurs provided a stern test for the Reds in stormy conditions at White Hart Lane.

The only goal of the game came when Steven Gerrard directed the ball goalwards with his head, and Garcia was in the right place at far post to prod home left footed under Paul Robinson's body.

Spurs came close in the second half when Steve Finnan deflected an effort onto his own bar but Rafa's Reds held on for victory.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z33NCikCKyc"]Garcia[/ame]

Number 83

Fixture: Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
Date: 26 Dec 2006
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan (Josemi 79), Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Kewell (Sinama-Pongolle 67), Alonso, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Crouch (Cisse 72), Morientes.

Subs: Carson, Warnock.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 83 and a Boxing Day win over Newcastle United from 2006.

Liverpool bounced back from their Japan disappointment as they beat Newcastle United 2-0.

After defeat in controversial circumstances to Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo in the World Club Championship, a Steven Gerrard inspired Reds produced an impressive display on Michael Owen's return to Anfield.

It was the former Kop number 10's first match since he left for Real Madrid and it was his old mate Gerrard who ran the show.

The inspirational midfielder opened the scoring with a fantastic shot that gave Shay Given no chance and Peter Crouch then made it 2-0.

Only the heroics of Given prevented Liverpool from further goals and the Kop taunted Owen with chants of 'Where were you in Istanbul?'

Newcastle ended the game with 10 men after Lee Bowyer was sent-off for a crude challenge on Xabi Alonso.

Number 82

Fixture: Fulham 0-2 Liverpool
Date: 19 Apr 2008
Venue: Craven Cottage

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Hyypia (Carragher 45), Skrtel, Benayoun, Lucas, Mascherano (Alonso 72), Pennant, Crouch, Voronin (Aurelio 82).

Subs: Torres, Itandje.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 82 and a 2-0 win at Fulham from 2008.

Goals from Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch gave Liverpool a comfortable victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Ahead of the Champions League semi-final with Chelsea, Rafa took the opportunity to rest Fernando Torres.

Pennant in particular had a point to prove and he was pivotal in the victory. He opened the scoring with a superb finish before setting up Crouch for the second goal.

Number 81

Fixture: Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough
Date: 10 Dec 2005
Venue: Anfield

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Kewell (Cisse 83), Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard, Crouch (Luis Garcia 67), Morientes (Josemi 87).

Subs: Dudek, Warnock.

We continue our countdown of 'Rafa's 100 Greatest Premier League Games' with number 81 and a Fernando Morientes inspired win over Middlesbrough from 2005.

Rafa's Reds warmed up for the World Club Championship in Japan with a hard fought victory over Middlesbrough.

Spanish star Morientes was brilliant as he showed the type of form that prompted Rafa to sign him from Real Madrid.

He netted the opening goal in the 71st minute from close range with a cool finish then produced an exquisite chip from the edge of the box for the second.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx0XQ4JPmB0"]Morientes Compilation[/ame]